Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 432B - Protection of Children From Abuse and Neglect
NRS 432B.500 - Appointment of guardian ad litem after filing of petition.


1. After a petition is filed that a child is in need of protection pursuant to NRS 432B.490, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child. The person so appointed:
(a) Must meet the requirements of NRS 432B.505 or, if such a person is not available, a representative of an agency which provides child welfare services, a juvenile probation officer, an officer of the court or another volunteer.
(b) Must not be a parent or other person responsible for the child’s welfare.
(c) Must not be an attorney appointed to represent the child pursuant to NRS 432B.420.
2. A guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this section shall:
(a) Represent and protect the best interests of the child until excused by the court;
(b) Thoroughly research and ascertain the relevant facts of each case for which the guardian ad litem is appointed, and ensure that the court receives an independent, objective account of those facts;
(c) Meet with the child wherever the child is placed as often as is necessary to determine that the child is safe and to ascertain the best interests of the child;
(d) Explain to the child the role of the guardian ad litem and, when appropriate, the nature and purpose of each proceeding in the case;
(e) Participate in the development and negotiation of any plans for and orders regarding the child, and monitor the implementation of those plans and orders to determine whether services are being provided in an appropriate and timely manner;
(f) Appear at all proceedings regarding the child;
(g) Inform the court of the desires of the child, but exercise independent judgment regarding the best interests of the child;
(h) Present recommendations to the court and provide reasons in support of those recommendations;
(i) Request the court to enter orders that are clear, specific and, when appropriate, include periods for compliance;
(j) Review the progress of each case for which the guardian ad litem is appointed, and advocate for the expedient completion of the case; and
(k) Perform such other duties as the court orders.
(Added to NRS by 1985, 1379; A 1999, 2039; 2001 Special Session, 48; 2015, 1326; 2017, 1288)

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Structure Nevada Revised Statutes

Nevada Revised Statutes

Chapter 432B - Protection of Children From Abuse and Neglect

NRS 432B.010 - Definitions.

NRS 432B.020 - "Abuse or neglect of a child" defined.

NRS 432B.030 - "Agency which provides child welfare services" defined.

NRS 432B.035 - "Central Registry" defined.

NRS 432B.040 - "Child" defined. [Effective through December 31, 2023.] "Child" defined. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.042 - "Child protective services" defined.

NRS 432B.044 - "Child welfare services" defined.

NRS 432B.050 - "Court" defined.

NRS 432B.060 - "Custodian" defined. [Effective through December 31, 2023.] "Custodian" defined. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.065 - "Division of Child and Family Services" defined.

NRS 432B.0655 - "Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder" defined.

NRS 432B.0657 - "Fictive kin" defined. [Effective January 1, 2022.]

NRS 432B.066 - "Gender identity or expression" defined.

NRS 432B.067 - "Indian child" defined.

NRS 432B.068 - "Indian Child Welfare Act" defined.

NRS 432B.069 - "Information maintained by an agency which provides child welfare services" defined.

NRS 432B.070 - "Mental injury" defined.

NRS 432B.080 - "Parent" defined.

NRS 432B.090 - "Physical injury" defined.

NRS 432B.100 - "Sexual abuse" defined.

NRS 432B.110 - "Sexual exploitation" defined.

NRS 432B.121 - Definition of when person has "reasonable cause to believe" and when person acts "as soon as reasonably practicable."

NRS 432B.130 - Persons responsible for child’s welfare.

NRS 432B.140 - Negligent treatment or maltreatment.

NRS 432B.150 - Excessive corporal punishment may constitute abuse or neglect.

NRS 432B.153 - Presumptions concerning custody and visitation when parent of child is convicted of first degree murder of other parent of child.

NRS 432B.157 - Presumption concerning custody when court determines that parent or other person seeking custody of child is perpetrator of domestic violence.

NRS 432B.159 - Presumption concerning custody and visitation when parent or other person seeking custody of child is perpetrator of any act of abduction against the child.

NRS 432B.160 - Immunity from civil or criminal liability; presumption.

NRS 432B.163 - Authority of agency which provides child welfare services to provide services to pupils and staff of school that experiences crisis, emergency or suicide.

NRS 432B.165 - Authority of agency which provides child welfare services, children’s advocacy center and other entities to provide information to assist in locating a missing child; information not confidential; report of information received concern...

NRS 432B.170 - Authority of agency which provides child welfare services to share information with state or local agencies.

NRS 432B.172 - Agency which provides child welfare services required to treat child in accordance with gender identity or expression; regulations concerning placement of child. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Agency which provides child welfar...

NRS 432B.174 - Normalcy for Foster Youth Account: Creation; use; gifts, grants and donations; nonreversion. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Normalcy for Foster Youth Account: Creation; use; gifts, grants and donations; nonreversion. [Effective...

NRS 432B.175 - Availability of data or information regarding fatality or near fatality of child who is subject of report of abuse or neglect; limitation on disclosure; regulations.

NRS 432B.178 - Interagency committee to evaluate child welfare system in this State: Authority of Director of Department of Health and Human Services to create; appointment of members; duties; biennial report.

NRS 432B.180 - Duties of Division of Child and Family Services.

NRS 432B.185 - Nonreversion of certain money appropriated to Division of Child and Family Services for adoption assistance program.

NRS 432B.190 - Regulations to be adopted by Division of Child and Family Services.

NRS 432B.195 - Agency which provides child welfare services required to provide training to certain employees concerning rights of certain persons responsible for child’s welfare and working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning ch...

NRS 432B.197 - Agency which provides child welfare services required to establish policies to ensure that children in custody of agency have access to and safe administration of clinically appropriate psychotropic medication.

NRS 432B.198 - Employment with agency which provides child welfare services: Background investigation required; periodic additional investigations. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Employment with agency which provides child welfare services: B...

NRS 432B.199 - Employment with agency which provides child welfare services: Termination of employee charged with or convicted of certain crimes; correction of information. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Employment with agency which provides...

NRS 432B.200 - Toll-free telephone number for reports of abuse or neglect; design and distribution of informational poster.

NRS 432B.210 - State, political subdivisions and agencies required to cooperate with agencies which provide child welfare services.

NRS 432B.215 - Acquisition and use of information concerning probationers and parolees.

NRS 432B.2155 - Corrective action or corrective action plan: Notification by Division of Child and Family Services; requirement of agency which provides child welfare services to carry out or develop; approval of plan by Division; consequences of fai...

NRS 432B.216 - Biennial improvement plan: Agency which provides child welfare services required to submit; solicitation of input; contents; submission of annual data related to plan.

NRS 432B.2165 - Incentive payment program: Administration by Division of Child and Family Services; application by certain agencies which provide child welfare services for incentive payment; approval or denial of application.

NRS 432B.217 - Incentive payment program: Application for incentive payment in subsequent years; approval or denial of application; amount of subsequent incentive payment awarded.

NRS 432B.2175 - Incentive payment program: Agency awarded incentive payment required to submit report to Division of Child and Family Services demonstrating percentage of goal achieved.

NRS 432B.218 - Annual report to Governor and Legislature by Division of Child and Family Services concerning achievement by certain agencies which provide child welfare services of specific performance targets in improvement plans and specific goals...

NRS 432B.2185 - Block grant awarded to agency which provides child welfare services in county whose population is 100,000 or more; amount and use of block grant.

NRS 432B.219 - Categorical grants for adoption assistance programs; determination of amount; restrictions on use; nonreversion of certain grant money.

NRS 432B.220 - Persons required to make report; when and to whom reports are required; any person may make report; report and written findings if reasonable cause to believe death of child caused by abuse or neglect; certain persons and entities requ...

NRS 432B.225 - Attorney prohibited from reporting abuse or neglect of child in certain circumstances.

NRS 432B.230 - Authorized methods of making report; contents.

NRS 432B.240 - Penalty for failure to make report.

NRS 432B.250 - Persons required to report prohibited from invoking certain privileges.

NRS 432B.255 - Admissibility of evidence.

NRS 432B.260 - Action upon receipt of report; agency which provides child welfare services required to inform person named in report of allegation of abuse or neglect if report is investigated.

NRS 432B.270 - Interview of child and sibling of child concerning possible abuse or neglect; photographs, X-rays and medical tests.

NRS 432B.280 - Confidentiality of information maintained by an agency which provides child welfare services; exceptions; penalty.

NRS 432B.290 - Maintenance of information by agency which provides child welfare services; authorized release of such information; penalty; fee for release of information; rules, policies or regulations.

NRS 432B.300 - Determinations to be made from investigation of report.

NRS 432B.305 - Assignment of disposition to report.

NRS 432B.310 - Report to Central Registry of abuse or neglect required upon completion of investigation; prohibition against reporting certain information.

NRS 432B.315 - Written notification to person responsible for child’s welfare of assignment of disposition of substantiated to report and authority to request administrative appeal.

NRS 432B.317 - Administrative appeal of substantiation of report; hearing.

NRS 432B.320 - Waiver of full investigation of report.

NRS 432B.322 - Inapplicability of provisions to certain reports, investigations or information.

NRS 432B.325 - County whose population is 100,000 or more to provide child protective services in county; county whose population is less than 100,000 to provide such services in certain circumstances.

NRS 432B.326 - Payment of assessment for provision of child protective services by county whose population is less than 100,000; exemption.

NRS 432B.327 - Division of Child and Family Services to submit certain reports concerning budgets for child protective services to Governor and certain counties and any reports required by Legislative Commission.

NRS 432B.330 - Circumstances under which child is or may be in need of protection.

NRS 432B.340 - Determination that child needs protection but is not in imminent danger and does not need to be placed in protective custody.

NRS 432B.350 - Teams for protection of child.

NRS 432B.360 - Voluntary placement of child with agency or institution; regulations.

NRS 432B.370 - Determination that child is not in need of protection.

NRS 432B.380 - Referral of case to district attorney for criminal prosecution; recommendation to file petition.

NRS 432B.390 - Placement of child in protective custody. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Placement of child in protective custody. [Effective January 1, 2022.]

NRS 432B.3903 - Agency which provides child welfare services or designee authorized to request issuance of warrant to place child in protective custody if child needs protection but threat is not imminent.

NRS 432B.3905 - Limitations on transfer to and placement in child care institution of child placed in protective custody who is under 6 years of age; notice; written plan.

NRS 432B.391 - Agency which provides child welfare services or designee authorized to conduct preliminary Federal Bureau of Investigation name-based check of background of certain adult residents of home in which child will be placed in emergency sit...

NRS 432B.393 - Agency which provides child welfare services required to make reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify family of child to prevent or eliminate need for removal from home before placement in foster care and to make safe return to home...

NRS 432B.396 - Establishment of panel to evaluate extent to which agencies which provide child welfare services are effectively discharging their responsibilities; regulations; civil penalties.

NRS 432B.397 - Inquiry to determine whether child is Indian child; report to court; training regarding requirements of Indian Child Welfare Act.

NRS 432B.400 - Temporary detention of child by physician or person in charge of hospital or similar institution.

NRS 432B.401 - Definitions.

NRS 432B.4012 - "Children’s advocacy center" defined.

NRS 432B.4014 - "Multidisciplinary team" defined.

NRS 432B.4016 - "Provider of health care" defined.

NRS 432B.4018 - Requirements for operation; convening of multidisciplinary team to develop standards for acceptance of cases; access to services; immunity from liability for employee, officer or member of multidisciplinary team; confidentiality and d...

NRS 432B.4019 - Account to Support Children’s Advocacy Centers: Creation; administration; use; gifts, grants and donations; nonreversion.

NRS 432B.403 - Purpose of organizing.

NRS 432B.405 - Appointment; circumstances for organization.

NRS 432B.406 - Composition.

NRS 432B.407 - Access to information; sharing of certain information; subpoena to obtain information; use of data collected; confidentiality of information.

NRS 432B.4075 - Authority of Administrator to organize multidisciplinary team to oversee review conducted by child death review team; access to information and privileges.

NRS 432B.408 - Executive Committee to Review the Death of Children to review and respond to report and recommendations of child death review team.

NRS 432B.409 - Establishment, composition and duties of Executive Committee to Review the Death of Children; creation of and use of money in Review of Death of Children Account.

NRS 432B.4095 - Civil penalty for disclosure of confidential information; authority to bring action; deposit of money.

NRS 432B.410 - Exclusive original jurisdiction; action does not preclude prosecution.

NRS 432B.420 - Right of parent or other responsible person to representation by attorney; child deemed party to proceedings; court required to appoint attorney to represent child; authority and rights of child’s attorney; compensation of attorney.

NRS 432B.425 - Notification of tribe if proceedings involve Indian child; transfer of proceedings to Indian child’s tribe; exercise of jurisdiction by court.

NRS 432B.430 - Restriction on admission of persons to proceedings.

NRS 432B.435 - Presentation of evidence of child’s previous sexual conduct prohibited; exception.

NRS 432B.440 - Assistance by agency which provides child welfare services.

NRS 432B.450 - Expert testimony raising presumption of need for protection of child.

NRS 432B.451 - Qualified expert witness required in proceeding to place Indian child in foster care.

NRS 432B.455 - Determination of appropriate person to take custody of child: Appointment and duties of special master.

NRS 432B.457 - Determination of appropriate person to take custody of child: Involvement by, notification of and testimony by person found to have special interest in child; review and modification of finding.

NRS 432B.459 - Provision of copy of sound recording or transcript of proceeding to parent or guardian and attorney; fees.

NRS 432B.460 - Chapter does not deprive other courts of right to determine custody upon writs of habeas corpus or custody or guardianship in cases involving divorce or domestic relations problems.

NRS 432B.462 - Educational decision maker: Appointment; duties; revocation of appointment. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Educational decision maker: Appointment; duties; revocation of appointment. [Effective January 1, 2022.]

NRS 432B.465 - Full faith and credit to judicial proceedings of Indian tribe.

NRS 432B.4655 - Joinder of governmental entity or other person to certain proceedings to enforce legal obligation of such entity or person.

NRS 432B.466 - Petition for appointment of guardian; notice.

NRS 432B.4665 - Appointment of guardian; powers and duties of and limitations on guardian; effect of guardianship.

NRS 432B.467 - Consideration of evidence in determining whether to appoint guardian; right of visitation to certain persons.

NRS 432B.4675 - Effect of entry of final order establishing guardianship.

NRS 432B.468 - Enforcement, modification and termination of guardianship; appointment of successor guardian.

NRS 432B.4681 - Definitions.

NRS 432B.4682 - "Person professionally qualified in the field of psychiatric mental health" defined.

NRS 432B.4683 - "Psychiatric care" defined.

NRS 432B.4684 - Nomination; person nominated deemed to be person who is legally responsible pending court approval; petition to appoint nominee; persons authorized to be nominated or appointed.

NRS 432B.4685 - Persons eligible for court appointment.

NRS 432B.4686 - Responsibilities and duties.

NRS 432B.4687 - Considerations for approval of administration of psychotropic medication to child; written consent for administration of such medication or notice of denial; other required approval.

NRS 432B.4688 - Administration of psychotropic medication to child allowed only in accordance with consent; exception; quarterly review of records of child.

NRS 432B.4689 - Administration of psychotropic medication without consent authorized under certain circumstances; notice.

NRS 432B.469 - Agency which provides child welfare services retains responsibility for health and well-being of child in its custody.

NRS 432B.470 - Hearing required; notice.

NRS 432B.480 - Hearing: Court required to advise parties of rights; determinations by court; order to continue custody or release child.

NRS 432B.490 - Procedure following hearing or investigation.

NRS 432B.500 - Appointment of guardian ad litem after filing of petition.

NRS 432B.505 - Qualifications of special advocate for appointment as guardian ad litem.

NRS 432B.510 - Execution and contents of petition; representation of interests of public.

NRS 432B.513 - Provision of copy of report or information to parent or guardian and attorney before certain proceedings.

NRS 432B.515 - Electronic filing of certain petitions and reports.

NRS 432B.520 - Issuance of summons; authorizing the assumption of custody by court and removal of child from certain conditions; authorizing the attachment of child and placement of child in protective custody.

NRS 432B.530 - Adjudicatory hearing on petition; disposition.

NRS 432B.540 - Report by agency which provides child welfare services; plan for placement of child.

NRS 432B.550 - Determination of custody and placement of child by court; retention of certain rights by parent when child placed other than with parent; determination of whether agency which provides child welfare services has made reasonable efforts...

NRS 432B.553 - Plan for permanent placement of child.

NRS 432B.555 - Restriction on release of child to custodial parent or guardian who has been convicted of abuse, neglect or endangerment of child.

NRS 432B.560 - Additional orders by court: Treatment; conduct; visitation; support.

NRS 432B.570 - Motion for revocation or modification of order.

NRS 432B.580 - Semiannual review of placement of child; report by agency acting as custodian of child; visitation between child and siblings; hearing to review placement.

NRS 432B.585 - Appointment of panel to conduct semiannual review.

NRS 432B.590 - Annual hearing concerning permanent placement of child; review of certain information relating to placement of child; court to prepare explicit statement of facts; court authorized to review any decision of agency with legal custody of...

NRS 432B.5901 - Applicability of chapter 128 of NRS to proceedings concerning termination of parental rights; authority of agency which provides child welfare services to file motion for termination of parental rights.

NRS 432B.5902 - Service of motion and notice of hearing; response to motion.

NRS 432B.5903 - Appearance of parties; contest of allegations or relinquishment of parental rights; evidentiary hearing.

NRS 432B.5904 - Mediation for purpose of negotiating open adoption agreement.

NRS 432B.5905 - Testifying at evidentiary hearing by telephone or video conference.

NRS 432B.5906 - Final order; appeal.

NRS 432B.5907 - Time for resolution of appeal.

NRS 432B.5908 - Petition for restoration of parental rights.

NRS 432B.5909 - Definitions. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.591 - "Child" defined. [Effective through December 31, 2023.] "Child" defined. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.5913 - "Program" defined. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.5915 - "Young adult" defined. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.5917 - Court to retain jurisdiction over young adult; effect of such retention. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.5919 - Division of Child and Family Services to establish and administer Program; annual report; regulations. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.592 - Court to refer child to attorney for counsel regarding continuation of jurisdiction. [Effective through December 31, 2023.] Court to refer child to attorney for counsel and assistance relating to Program. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.593 - Agency which provides child welfare services to meet with child to determine whether child intends to request continuation of jurisdiction; effect of such meeting; child who has independent living agreement not prohibited from requesti...

NRS 432B.594 - Retention of court’s jurisdiction over child; termination of such jurisdiction; written agreement between agency which provides child welfare services and child; resolution of dispute between agency and child; rights of child to servic...

NRS 432B.595 - Written plan to assist child to transition to independent living; duties of agency which provides child welfare services during period that court retains jurisdiction. [Effective through December 31, 2023.] Written extended youth suppo...

NRS 432B.601 - Annual hearing concerning participant. [Effective January 1, 2024.]

NRS 432B.604 - Creation; members; terms; vacancies; members serve without compensation; duties.

NRS 432B.606 - Referral of case by court to local advisory board.

NRS 432B.607 - Definitions.

NRS 432B.6071 - "Child with an emotional disturbance" defined.

NRS 432B.60715 - "Court-ordered admission of a child" defined.

NRS 432B.6072 - "Facility" defined.

NRS 432B.6073 - "Person professionally qualified in the field of psychiatric mental health" defined.

NRS 432B.6074 - "Treatment" defined.

NRS 432B.6075 - Petition: Filing; certificate or statement of alleged emotional disturbance.

NRS 432B.6076 - Findings and order; alternative courses of treatment.

NRS 432B.6077 - Petition required before child may be placed in facility other than under emergency admission; psychological examination of child required under certain circumstances; placement in less restrictive environment; any person may oppose p...

NRS 432B.6078 - Provision of information and assistance to child; second examination of child.

NRS 432B.6079 - Considerations for court in issuing or renewing order.

NRS 432B.608 - Expiration and renewal of admission.

NRS 432B.6081 - Plan for continued care, treatment and training of child upon discharge.

NRS 432B.6082 - Personal rights.

NRS 432B.6083 - Conditional release: Authorized circumstances; duration; no liability of State; notice to court and attorney of agency; order to return to facility; judicial review of order to return to facility.

NRS 432B.6084 - Release without further order of court; early release.

NRS 432B.60845 - Requirements for certain facilities concerning training of employees and gender identity or expression of child placed in facility.

NRS 432B.60847 - Plan for the continued education of certain children admitted to psychiatric hospital; requirements for admission of certain children to facility which provides residential treatment for mental illness; regulations.

NRS 432B.6085 - Children’s rights; application of various provisions of chapters 433 and 435 of NRS and all of chapters 433A and 433B of NRS to children in custody of agency which provides child welfare services.

NRS 432B.610 - Training of certain peace officers for detection and investigation of and response to cases of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of children; regulations.

NRS 432B.620 - Certification of peace officers who regularly investigate cases of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of children; regulations.

NRS 432B.6201 - Definitions. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Definitions. [Effective January 1, 2022.]

NRS 432B.6205 - "Fictive kin" defined. [Effective through December 31, 2021.]

NRS 432B.621 - "Program" defined.

NRS 432B.6213 - "Relative" defined.

NRS 432B.622 - Department to establish and administer Program; adoption of state plan; agency which provides child welfare services authorized to enter into agreement to provide assistance to relative of child pursuant to Program.

NRS 432B.623 - Qualifications for assistance pursuant to Program; placement of sibling of child who is eligible for assistance.

NRS 432B.624 - Required provisions in agreement for assistance entered into pursuant to Program; eligibility for federal assistance for adoption not affected by such agreement.

NRS 432B.625 - Background checks required before entering into agreement with relative for assistance pursuant to Program.

NRS 432B.626 - Agency which provides child welfare services to include certain information in case plan of child whose legal guardian receives assistance pursuant to Program.

NRS 432B.630 - Delivery of newborn child to provider of emergency services. [Effective through December 31, 2021.] Delivery of newborn child to provider of emergency services. [Effective January 1, 2022.]

NRS 432B.635 - Immunity from liability for allowing child to participate in extracurricular, cultural or personal enrichment activities.

NRS 432B.640 - Assessment of child who may need counseling as result of battery that constitutes domestic violence; provision of evaluation or counseling.

NRS 432B.645 - Individual development account: Establishment by relative or fictive kin for child placed in protective custody upon receipt of approval of agency which provides child welfare services; access to and use of deposited money. [Effective...

NRS 432B.650 - Individual development account: Provision of instruction in financial literacy to child for whom account is established. [Effective January 1, 2022.]