RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 320 (HB 466) 2018 Regular Session Gisclair
Existing law allows the court appointed special advocate program (CASA) volunteer to
review relevant documents and to interview parties and witnesses involved in the proceeding
and requires that CASA volunteers be notified of all administrative review hearings related
to the case. New law authorizes the court to grant the CASA volunteer access to the home
in which a child is placed and requires that CASA volunteers be allowed to attend all family
team meetings as well as administrative review hearings related to the case, unless the parent
objects.
Existing law allows a court to screen individuals applying to work as a court appointed
special advocate for any justified reports of abuse or neglect. New law adds CASA program
staff members and board of director members to those individuals who may be screened by
a court for any justifiable reports of abuse or neglect, if any such individuals have contact
with children served by CASA.
Prior law allowed information from investigations of reports of child abuse or neglect that
are inconclusive to be disclosed, with the applicant's written consent, to evaluate an applicant
to be a CASA volunteer. New law repeals prior law, effective upon adoption of rules by the
Dept. of Children and Family Services.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 424.2, 424.4(B), 616(C), (D), and (F))