(1) Upon receipt of a petition for certification, the court shall appoint counsel from the Department of Public Advocacy to represent the child at every stage of the proceedings.
(2) Within seven (7) days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, of the filing of a petition, counsel shall advise the court in writing whether the child wishes to contest the petition:
(a) If the child does not wish to contest the petition, the court may order the child hospitalized for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days; and
(b) If the child wishes to contest the petition, a certification hearing shall be held within seven (7) days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, of the filing of the child’s wishes. Pending the certification hearing, the child’s placement shall remain unchanged unless the court finds a change would promote the best interest of the child.
(3) The court may order the parents to pay for the child’s counsel.
Effective: April 10, 1988
History: Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 350, sec. 113, effective April 10, 1988. — Created
1986 Ky. Acts ch. 423, sec. 151, effective July 1, 1987.