1. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 210.160 or any other provision of law to the contrary, in any circuit participating in a pilot project established by the Missouri supreme court relating to guardians ad litem, children's counsel, or parent's counsel, where the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection 1 of section 210.160 require that the judge appoint a guardian ad litem for a child, the judge may instead appoint a child's counsel to represent any child who is fourteen years of age or older at all stages of the proceeding, including appeal, without the additional appointment of a guardian ad litem. The child and the child's parent or guardian shall not be represented by the same counsel.
2. 2. The provisions of this section shall expire on January 1, 2028.

(L. 2025 H.B. 737 & 486 merged with S.B. 43)

Expires 1-01-28