(1) The court shall appoint the person named in the petition as a guardian advocate with all the powers and duties specified in s. 39.829 for an initial term of 1 year upon a finding that:
(a) The child named in the petition is or was a drug dependent newborn as described in s. 39.01;
(b) The parent or parents of the child have voluntarily relinquished temporary custody of the child to a relative or other responsible adult;
(c) The person named in the petition to be appointed the guardian advocate is capable of carrying out the duties as provided in s. 39.829; and
(d) A petition to adjudicate the child dependent under this chapter has not been filed.
(2) The appointment of a guardian advocate does not remove from the parents the right to consent to medical treatment for their child. The appointment of a guardian advocate does not prevent the filing of a subsequent petition under this chapter to have the child adjudicated dependent.
History.—s. 2, ch. 89-345; s. 62, ch. 94-164; s. 109, ch. 98-403; s. 32, ch. 2006-86; s. 29, ch. 2008-245; s. 19, ch. 2012-178.
Note.—Former s. 415.5087.
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.