38-2205. Right to counsel; guardian ad litem. (a) Appointment of guardian ad litem and attorney for child; duties. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall appoint an attorney to serve as guardian ad litem for a child who is the subject of proceedings under this code. The guardian ad litem shall make an independent investigation of the facts upon which the petition is based and shall appear for and represent the best interests of the child. When the child's position is not consistent with the determination of the guardian ad litem as to the child's best interests, the guardian ad litem shall inform the court of the disagreement. The guardian ad litem or the child may request the court to appoint a second attorney to serve as attorney for the child, and the court, on good cause shown, may appoint such second attorney. The attorney for the child shall allow the child and the guardian ad litem to communicate with one another but may require such communications to occur in the attorney's presence.
(b) Attorney for parent or custodian. A parent of a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care may be represented by an attorney, in connection with all proceedings under this code. At the first hearing in connection with proceedings under this code, the court shall distribute a pamphlet, designed by the court, to the parents of a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care, to advise the parents of their rights in connection with all proceedings under this code.
(1) If at any stage of the proceedings a parent desires but is financially unable to employ an attorney, the court shall appoint an attorney for the parent. It shall not be necessary to appoint an attorney to represent a parent who fails or refuses to attend the hearing after having been properly served with process in accordance with K.S.A. 38-2237, and amendments thereto. A parent or custodian who is not a minor, a mentally ill person or a disabled person may waive counsel either in writing or on the record.
(2) The court shall appoint an attorney for a parent who is a minor, a mentally ill person or a disabled person unless the court determines that there is an attorney retained who will appear and represent the interests of the person in the proceedings under this code.
(3) As used in this subsection: (A) "Mentally ill person" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in K.S.A. 59-2946, and amendments thereto; and (B) "disabled person" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in K.S.A. 77-201, and amendments thereto.
(c) Attorney for interested parties. A person who, pursuant to K.S.A. 38-2241, and amendments thereto, is an interested party in a proceeding involving a child alleged to be a child in need of care may be represented by an attorney in connection with all proceedings under this code. At the first hearing in connection with proceedings under this code, the court shall distribute a pamphlet, designed by the court, to interested parties in a proceeding involving a child alleged or adjudged to be a child in need of care, to advise interested parties of their rights in connection with all proceedings under this code. It shall not be necessary to appoint an attorney to represent an interested party who fails or refuses to attend the hearing after having been properly served with process in accordance with K.S.A. 38-2237, and amendments thereto. If at any stage of the proceedings a person who is an interested party under subsection (d) of K.S.A. 38-2241, and amendments thereto, desires but is financially unable to employ an attorney, the court may appoint an attorney for the interested party.
(d) Continuation of representation. A guardian ad litem appointed to represent the best interests of a child or a second attorney appointed for a child as provided in subsection (a), or an attorney appointed for a parent or custodian shall continue to represent the client at all subsequent hearings in proceedings under this code, including any appellate proceedings, unless relieved by the court upon a showing of good cause or upon transfer of venue.
(e) Fees for counsel. An attorney appointed pursuant to this section shall be allowed a reasonable fee for services, which may be assessed as an expense in the proceedings as provided in K.S.A. 38-2215, and amendments thereto.
History: L. 2006, ch. 200, ยง 5; Jan. 1, 2007.
Structure Kansas Statutes
Article 22 - Revised Kansas Code For Care Of Children
38-2201 Citation; construction of code; policy of state.
38-2203 Jurisdiction; age of child, presumptions; precedence of certain orders.
38-2205 Right to counsel; guardian ad litem.
38-2206 Appointment of special advocate.
38-2207 Citizen review boards; members.
38-2208 Same; duties and powers.
38-2209 Confidentiality of child in need of care records; penalties; immunities.
38-2210 Parties exchanging information.
38-2211 Access to official and social file; preservation of records.
38-2214 Duties of county or district attorney.
38-2215 Docket fee; authorized only by legislative enactment; expenses; assessment.
38-2216 Expense of care and custody of child.
38-2218 Educational decisions; educational advocates for exceptional children.
38-2219 Evaluation of development or needs of child.
38-2221 Fingerprints and photographs.
38-2222 Public information and educational program; reporting of suspected abuse or neglect.
38-2227 Child advocacy centers.
38-2228 Multidisciplinary team.
38-2229 Investigation of abuse or neglect; subpoena; request to quash.
38-2230 Same; duties of the department for children and families.
38-2235 Procedure upon filing of petition.
38-2236 Summons; persons to be served; notice of hearing.
38-2239 Service of other pleadings.
38-2240 Subpoenas; witness fees.
38-2244 Order for informal supervision; restraining orders.
38-2247 Attendance at proceedings; confidentiality.
38-2248 Stipulations and no contest statements.
38-2253 Dispositional hearing; purpose; time.
38-2255 Authorized dispositions; prohibitions.
38-2257 Permanency planning at disposition.
38-2259 Emergency change of placement; removal from home of parent, findings of court.
38-2261 Reports made by foster parents.
38-2262 Placement; testimony of certain children.
38-2266 Request for termination of parental rights or appointment of permanent custodian.
38-2267 Procedure upon receipt of request.
38-2268 Voluntary relinquishment; voluntary permanent custodianship; consent to adoption.
38-2271 Presumption of unfitness, when; burden of proof.
38-2272 Appointment of permanent custodian.
38-2273 Appeals; procedure; verification; continuing jurisdiction.
38-2274 Temporary orders pending appeal; status of orders appealed from.
38-2276 Prohibiting detainment or placement of child in jail.
38-2277 Determination of child support.
38-2278 Journal entry for child support.
38-2280 Remedies supplemental not substitute.
38-2282 Newborn infant protection act.
38-2283 Application to existing cases.
38-2285 Awarding high school diplomas; requirements.
38-2286 Child removed from custody of parent, substantial consideration of grandparent.
38-2288 CINC placement in a juvenile detention facility.
38-2289 Child in custody, victim of certain conduct; reporting of information.
38-2291 Qualified residential treatment program placement; required notices; court determinations.