2009 Louisiana Children's Code :: CHC 571 - Legislative findings

CHAPTER 6. LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF INDIGENT PARENTS

PART I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Art. 571. Legislative findings

A. The legislature finds that society has a responsibility to provide indigent parents with quality legal representation in child abuse and neglect cases. Provision of counsel for indigent parents is an essential due process right provided by Louisiana law to ensure sound and fair decisionmaking concerning children's safety, permanency, and well-being. Legal counsel providing representation in child abuse and neglect cases should have specialized knowledge and skills essential for effective representation. Resources to support the provision of legal representation of indigent parents should be used efficiently and equitably to assure qualified representation throughout the state.

B. The legislature finds that there is a need for a more uniform system of representation of indigent parents statewide that provides for appropriate oversight, minimization of potential conflicts, and adequate local and state funding. To this end, the legislature finds that local public defender offices representing children in child abuse and neglect cases should transition within a defined period of time to representing indigent parents consistent with a statewide implementation plan to be developed by the Louisiana Indigent Defense Assistance Board, or any successor to that board in conjunction with the Task Force on Legal Representation in Child Protection Cases created by House Concurrent Resolution No. 44 of the 2003 Regular Session of the Legislature.

C. The uniform standards and guidelines and the program to provide for representation of indigent parents in child abuse and neglect cases shall be incrementally implemented and effected throughout the state with a full implementation goal of July 1, 2012.

Acts 2007, No. 95, §1.