Sec. 65.061. GUARDIAN AD LITEM. (a) If a child appears before the truancy court without a parent or guardian, or it appears to the court that the child's parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to make decisions in the best interest of the child with respect to proceedings under this chapter, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to protect the interests of the child in the proceedings.
(b) An attorney for a child may also be the child's guardian ad litem. A law enforcement officer, probation officer, or other employee of the truancy court may not be appointed as a guardian ad litem.
(c) The court may order a child's parent or other person responsible to support the child to reimburse the county or municipality for the cost of the guardian ad litem. The court may issue the order only after determining that the parent or other responsible person has sufficient financial resources to offset the cost of the child's guardian ad litem wholly or partly.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 27, eff. September 1, 2015.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 3A - Truancy Court Proceedings
Chapter 65 - Truancy Court Proceedings
Subchapter B. Initial Procedures
Section 65.051. Initial Referral to Truancy Court
Section 65.052. Truant Conduct Prosecutor
Section 65.053. Review by Prosecutor
Section 65.054. State's Petition
Section 65.055. Limitations Period
Section 65.058. Service of Summons
Section 65.059. Representation by Attorney
Section 65.060. Child's Answer
Section 65.061. Guardian Ad Litem
Section 65.062. Attendance at Hearing
Section 65.063. Right to Reemployment