Agency: Courts Line Item: Guardian ad Litem Function The Office of Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a separate line item within the court's budget. The program provides state-funded attorneys to represent the best interests of minors in Juvenile Court when there is an allegation of abuse, neglect, or dependency. A GAL may also be appointed in juvenile court for child protective order, emancipation, or delinquency cases. A GAL may also be court-appointed to represent minors when allegations of abuse or neglect arise in the District Court during divorce or custody proceedings or in a criminal case when the victim is a child. The Office also administers the private GAL program which provides trained private attorneys to serve as GAL for children in custody disputes which do not involve allegations of abuse and/or neglect. There are Guardian ad Litem offices in all eight judicial districts. The GAL office includes a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) system that uses trained volunteers to assist attorneys in representing the best interests of children in the juvenile courts. Statutory Authority Several sections of Utah Code guide the operations of the Guardian ad Litem. - U.C.A. Sections 78A-6-901 and 902 establish the office, provide an organizational framework, and assigns duties.
- UCA 78A-2-227 outlines the requirements for Guardian ad Litem involvement in District Court.
- UCA 78A-2-228 sets conditions for private attorney use as a Guardian ad Litem in District Court.
- Rule 4-906 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration, is the Judicial rule that establishes policy and procedure for the GAL office and Oversight Committee.
- The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, 42 USC 5106a(b)(A)(ix) also guides this program.
Intent Language If funding is provided in the 2008 General Session, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Guardian ad Litem purchase two additional vehicles. Special Funds Two General Fund restricted accounts have been added to augment the funding for the Guardian ad Litem Program. The Children's Legal Defense Account is shared with the District Court. Funding Detail As in most of the judicial budgets, funding is mostly General Fund. Over 80 percent of the budget is General Fund. | Sources of Finance | 2005
Actual | 2006
Actual | 2007
Actual | 2008
Actual | 2009
Approp | | General Fund | $3,089,600 | $3,285,300 | $3,543,500 | $4,563,700 | $5,009,800 | | General Fund, One-time | $24,400 | $0 | ($12,700) | $75,100 | ($86,800) | | Dedicated Credits Revenue | $8,100 | $10,600 | $17,700 | $47,400 | $20,000 | | GFR - Children's Legal Defense | $420,100 | $427,700 | $424,000 | $437,700 | $449,200 | | GFR - Guardian Ad Litem Services | $314,600 | $320,900 | $348,700 | $355,300 | $360,900 | | Beginning Nonlapsing | $53,100 | $23,000 | $42,800 | $0 | $155,700 | | Closing Nonlapsing | ($24,500) | ($42,700) | $0 | ($155,800) | ($55,700) | | Total | $3,885,400 | $4,024,800 | $4,364,000 | $5,323,400 | $5,853,100 |
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| | Programs: | 2005
Actual | 2006
Actual | 2007
Actual | 2008
Actual | 2009
Approp | | Guardian ad Litem | $3,885,400 | $4,024,800 | $4,364,000 | $5,323,400 | $5,853,100 | | Total | $3,885,400 | $4,024,800 | $4,364,000 | $5,323,400 | $5,853,100 |
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| | Categories of Expenditure | 2005
Actual | 2006
Actual | 2007
Actual | 2008
Actual | 2009
Approp | | Personal Services | $3,464,200 | $3,669,000 | $3,943,400 | $4,724,700 | $5,304,000 | | In-State Travel | $50,200 | $54,200 | $47,200 | $58,100 | $68,700 | | Out of State Travel | $900 | $4,500 | $3,700 | $6,100 | $4,900 | | Current Expense | $356,800 | $289,100 | $356,800 | $473,900 | $471,000 | | DP Current Expense | $13,300 | $8,000 | $12,900 | $54,500 | $4,500 | | Capital Outlay | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,100 | $0 | | Total | $3,885,400 | $4,024,800 | $4,364,000 | $5,323,400 | $5,853,100 |
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| | Other Indicators | 2005
Actual | 2006
Actual | 2007
Actual | 2008
Actual | 2009
Approp | | Budgeted FTE | 55.0 | 53.7 | 55.5 | 67.5 | 66.0 | | Vehicles | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
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Subcommittee Table of Contents |