§ 78B-22-803 — Child welfare parental defense contracts.

(1) (1)(a) The office may enter into a contract with an attorney to provide indigent defense services for a parent who is the subject of a petition alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency, and requires indigent defense services under Section 80-3-104.
(1)(b) The office shall make payment for the representation, costs, and expenses of a contracted parental representation attorney from the fund in accordance with Section 78B-22-804.
(2) (2)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), a contracted parental representation attorney shall:
(2)(a)(i) complete a basic training course provided by the office;
(2)(a)(ii) provide parental representation services consistent with the commission's core principles described in Section 78B-22-404;
(2)(a)(iii) have experience in child welfare cases; and
(2)(a)(iv) participate each calendar year in continuing legal education courses providing no fewer than eight hours of instruction in child welfare law.
(2)(b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission may, by rule, exempt from the requirements of Subsection (2)(a) an attorney who has equivalent training or adequate experience.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 228, 2021 General Session; Amended by Chapter 262, 2021 General Session