SB307 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Juvenile court, authorized to appoint court appointed special advocate (CASA) in certain juvenile proceedings, duties, qualifications of CASAs, specified

Summary

SB307 would let Alabama juvenile courts appoint a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in addition to guardians ad litem in certain juvenile cases, and set rules for CASA qualifications, duties, access to records, and removal.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows a CASA to be appointed in dependency and termination of parental rights cases to protect the child’s best interests, alongside a guardian ad litem. It defines what qualifies someone to be a CASA and what duties they must perform, including independent case assessment, regular contact with the child, and reporting to the court. It also sets rules about access to case records, confidentiality, immunity from liability for good-faith actions, and grounds for removing or discharging a CASA. The act requires CASAs to be sworn in before duties begin and to operate under local CASA programs approved by the juvenile court.

Who It Affects

• Children who are parties to dependency or termination of parental rights cases, as they would have an additional advocate (the CASA) focused on their best interests.
• Volunteer CASAs and local CASA programs, who would have defined qualifications, duties, supervision, record access, confidentiality protections, and potential removal provisions.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the juvenile court to appoint a CASA in dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings in addition to a guardian ad litem.
• Defines CASA qualifications: trained, screened, supervised, and appointed as a lay guardian ad litem by the court; CASA program approved by the local juvenile court.
• Outlines CASA duties: independent case assessment, regular in-person contact with the child, written reports, advocacy for timely hearings, ability to seek judicial reviews, collaboration with the guardian ad litem, attendance at hearings, monitoring of the case plan and orders, and review of court documents.
• Specifies that CASAs cannot practice law or obtain legal counsel for a child.
• Requires CASA notice of hearings, reviews, and significant changes; allows the CASA to be heard on case plans.
• Provides access to relevant records for the CASA, with confidentiality protections and disclosures only as ordered by the court or by law.
• Immunity from civil or criminal liability for good-faith actions taken under the act.
• Allows removal of a CASA for acting contrary to the child’s best interest or for nonparticipation; discharge for nonparticipation or misalignment with an affiliate program.
• Requires the CASA to be sworn in by a judge before assignment to a case.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court, Juvenile