The legislature finds that society has a responsibility to protect children from abuse and neglect.  Provision of independent counsel for abused and neglected children is an essential due process right provided by Louisiana law to ensure sound and fair decisionmaking concerning children’s safety, permanency, and well-being.  Counsel providing representation in child protection proceedings should have specialized knowledge and skills essential for effective representation, and should participate in multi-disciplinary interaction together with other professionals involved with the child, including interdisciplinary communication, investigation, discovery, meetings, conferences, proceedings, and administrative hearings.  Resources to support the provision of legal representation of children should be used efficiently and equitably to assure qualified representation throughout the state.

Acts 2006, No. 271, §1; Acts 2008, No. 567, §1, eff. June 30, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 752, §1.