Joint Order, To Require the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services To Examine Guardian Ad Litem Certification

ORDERED, the Senate concurring, that the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, referred to in this order as "the committee," shall meet to study the minimum requirements for guardian ad litem certification as follows.

1. Convening of committee. The chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee related to the study no later than September 16, 2013. The committee shall invite the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary to participate in the study.

2. Duties. The committee shall examine the minimum requirements for guardian ad litem certification with the intent of making certification more stringent.

3. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.

4. Compensation. Members of the committee are entitled to receive the legislative per diem and reimbursement for necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee.

5. Report. No later than December 6, 2013, the committee shall issue a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including any suggested legislation, for the consideration of the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services may introduce a bill during the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature to implement the recommendations.