CS/SB 1018--Guardians ad litem.

Since FY 2004-2005, Florida's Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office has operated under budget proviso language that prohibits it from using funds to represent children in dissolution of marriage proceedings unless a child is also subject to dependency proceedings. Because of this limitation, as well as limited resources, guardian ad litem programs currently do not certify citizens to act in dissolution of marriage proceedings. This bill provides that a person certified by a not-for-profit legal-aid organization may serve as a guardian ad litem in dissolution of marriage cases after the organization has conducted a security background investigation and provided training to the person. Pursuant to [section]39.821(3), F.S., it is a first-degree misdemeanor for an applicant to willfully, knowingly, or intentionally fail to disclose any material fact relating to his or her qualifications to be a guardian ad litem. This bill clarifies that guardians ad litem who are appointed in dissolution cases are subject to the same provisions. These provisions were approved by the Governor and take effect July 1, 2009. Ch. 09-114, L.O.F.