(1) “Guardian ad litem” as referred to in any civil or criminal proceeding includes the following: the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office, which includes circuit guardian ad litem programs; a duly certified volunteer, a staff member, a staff attorney, a contract attorney, or a pro bono attorney working on behalf of a guardian ad litem; a court-appointed attorney; or a responsible adult who is appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a proceeding as provided for by law, including, but not limited to, this chapter, who is a party to any judicial proceeding as a representative of the child, and who serves until discharged by the court.
(2) “Guardian advocate” means a person appointed by the court to act on behalf of a drug dependent newborn under this part.
History.—s. 101, ch. 98-403; s. 5, ch. 2020-40.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 39 - Proceedings Relating to Children
Part XI - Guardians Ad Litem and Guardian Advocates (Ss. 39.820-39.8298)
39.821 - Qualifications of guardians ad litem.
39.822 - Appointment of guardian ad litem for abused, abandoned, or neglected child.
39.823 - Guardian advocates for drug dependent newborns.
39.825 - Petition for appointment of a guardian advocate.
39.827 - Hearing for appointment of a guardian advocate.
39.828 - Grounds for appointment of a guardian advocate.
39.829 - Powers and duties of guardian advocate.
39.8295 - Review and removal of guardian advocate.