(A) A guardian ad litem may be either an attorney or a layperson. To be appointed as a guardian ad litem pursuant to Section 43-35-45(C) an individual:
- (1) must be twenty-one years of age or older;
- (2) shall possess a high school diploma or its equivalent;
- (3) shall have completed the minimum hours of continuing education for initial qualification as required by the Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem Program; and
- (4) shall have observed two child protective services or adult protective services custody merit hearings before serving as a guardian ad litem. A lay guardian ad litem shall retain a certificate showing that observation of these hearings has been completed. This certificate, which must be on a form approved by court administration, must state the names and dates of the cases and the judges involved and must be attested to by the presiding judge.
- (B) An attorney guardian ad litem annually shall complete a minimum of six hours of family or elder law continuing legal education credits; however, this requirement may be waived by the court.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 162 (S.764), Section 1, eff May 16, 2014.