A.  The court is authorized in child in need of care proceedings, or in any certification for adoption proceedings, and adoption proceedings arising from a child in need of care proceeding, or a safe haven relinquishment, to appoint a CASA program as defined in Article 116 to assist the court in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities to children brought into court.

B.  Except as otherwise ordered by the court, the appointment of a CASA program for a child shall include subsequent proceedings through permanent placement of the child as defined by Article 603, including families in need of services or delinquency proceedings.

C.  Upon appointment, the CASA program shall designate the individual CASA volunteer for assignment to the child.  The CASA volunteer shall have as his special duty and responsibility the advocacy of the best interests of the child involved in the juvenile proceeding in which he is assigned.

D.  CASA volunteers serve without compensation and at the pleasure of the court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.  The judge of the court will first satisfy himself of the volunteer’s qualifications, training, and ability to serve as a CASA volunteer, including his ability to represent and advocate the best interest of children assigned to him.  No volunteer shall be assigned until a comprehensive criminal background check has been conducted.

E.  All CASA volunteers shall:

(1)  Be sworn by a judge of the court.

(2)  Swear or affirm to abide by all laws, regulations, and orders of court.

(3)  Swear or affirm to advocate what he perceives to be in the best interest of the child for whom he is assigned in all matters pending before the court.

Acts 1999, No. 275, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 609, §1; Acts 2008, No. 394.