AB373
AB373: Existing law requires the juvenile court to appoint counsel for a child or nonminor dependent in dependency proceedings if they are not represented by counsel, unless the court determines that there would be no benefit from the appointment of counsel. Existing law authorizes counsel to be a district attorney, public defender, or other member of the State Bar, who satisfies certain conditions. Existing law authorizes the court to fix the compensation for the services of appointed counsel. Under existing law, counsel in general is charged with representation of the child’s best interests. However, existing law also requires, when counsel is appointed for a nonminor dependent, that counsel represent the wishes of the nonminor dependent except when advocating for those wishes conflicts with the protection or safety of the nonminor dependent. This bill would remove the above-described exception to representing the wishes of the nonminor dependent when those wishes conflict with the protection or safety of the nonminor dependent.
Bill Status: Active
Last action (on 03/12/2025): Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
