For the purpose of this subchapter, the term "advocate" means a court-appointed special advocate and the term "program" means the court-appointed special advocate program established under this subchapter.
(Mar. 16, 1995, D.C. Law 10-228, § 2(b), 42 DCR 7.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-2371.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 10-228, the "Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program Act of 1994," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 10-326, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 1, 1994, and December 6, 1994, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on December 27, 1994, it was assigned Act No. 10-369 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 10-228 became effective on March 16, 1995.
(a) There is established a court-appointed special advocate program to provide trained volunteers whose primary purpose is to ensure that children who are the subject of certain family division proceedings of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia are provided with appropriate service and case planning that is in their best interest.
(b) The court, in any appropriate action, may appoint an individual provided by the court-appointed special advocate program.
(c) The program shall be administered by the Family Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(d) The Family Division shall report annually to the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, who shall report to the Council of the District of Columbia regarding the operation of the program.
(e) The Board of Judges of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia may adopt rules governing the implementation and operation of the program, including, but not limited to, training, selection, and supervision of volunteers.
(f) An advocate or a member of the administrative staff of the program is not liable for acts or omissions in providing services or performing duties on behalf of the program, unless the act or omission constitutes reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct or intentionally tortious conduct.
(g) A court-appointed special advocate shall have access to and the use of the court record in a proceeding in which the advocate has been appointed.
(Mar. 16, 1995, D.C. Law 10-228, § 2(b), 42 DCR 7.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-2372.
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary (90-day) addition of §§ 16-2381 [1981 Ed.] to 16-2399 [1981 Ed.], see § 3 of the Foster Children's Guardianship Emergency Act of 2000 (D.C. Act 13-433, August 14, 2000, 47 DCR 7467).
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 10-228, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 16-2371.
