Sec. 28. (a) “Court appointed special advocate”, for purposes of IC 31-15-6, IC 31-17-6, IC 31-19-16, IC 31-19-16.5, IC 31-28-5, IC 31-32-3-10.5, and the juvenile law, means a community volunteer who:

(1) has completed a training program approved by the court;

(2) has been appointed by a court to represent and protect the best interests of a child; and

(3) may research, examine, advocate, facilitate, and monitor a child’s situation.

     (b) “Court appointed special advocate”, for purposes of IC 31-32-3-10.5, IC 31-33, IC 31-34, IC 31-35, and IC 31-37, means a community volunteer who:

(1) has completed a training program approved by the court that includes training in:

(A) the identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and

(B) early childhood, child, and adolescent development;

as required by 42 U.S.C. § 5106a(b)(2)(B)(xiii);

(2) has been appointed by a court to represent and protect the best interests of a child; and

(3) may research, examine, advocate, facilitate, and monitor a child’s situation.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citations: 31-1-11.5-28(a); 31-6-1-6 part; 31-6-1-12.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.196-1997, SEC.1; P.L.14-2000, SEC.63; P.L.133-2008, SEC.5; P.L.48-2012, SEC.12; P.L.120-2018, SEC.1.