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232-126
232.126 APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL AND GUARDIAN AD
LITEM.
The court shall appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem to
represent the interests of the child at the hearing to determine
whether the family is a family in need of assistance unless the child
already has such counsel or guardian. The court shall appoint
counsel for the parent, guardian or custodian if that person desires
but is financially unable to employ counsel.
The court may appoint a court appointed special advocate to act as
guardian ad litem. The court appointed special advocate shall
receive notice of and may attend all depositions, hearings, and trial
proceedings to support the child and advocate for the protection of
the child. The court appointed special advocate shall not be allowed
to separately introduce evidence or to directly examine or
cross-examine witnesses. The court appointed special advocate shall
submit reports to the court and the parties to the proceedings
containing the information required in reports submitted by a court
appointed special advocate under section 232.89, subsection 5. In
addition, the court appointed special advocate shall file other
reports to the court as required by the court. Section History: Early Form
[C79, 81, § 232.126] Section History: Recent Form
87 Acts, ch 121, §5; 2002 Acts, ch 1162, §18
Referred to in § 232C.2, 232C.3
