S.F. 2060 Section 1. Section 600.5, Code 2016, is amended by adding 1 the following new subsection: 2 NEW SUBSECTION . 13. Whether or not a guardian ad litem 3 should be appointed for a minor child to be adopted, and if 4 not, the reasons therefor. 5 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION . 600.6A Court determination of 6 appointment of guardian ad litem prior to setting adoption 7 hearing. 8 Prior to ordering a hearing on the adoption petition, the 9 court shall make a determination of the need for a guardian ad 10 litem for a minor child to be adopted and shall, in writing, 11 either appoint or waive the appointment of a guardian ad litem 12 for purposes of the adoption proceeding in the order setting 13 the adoption hearing. 14 EXPLANATION 15 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 16 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 17 This bill relates to the appointment of a guardian ad litem 18 (GAL) for a minor person in an adoption proceeding. Under the 19 bill, an adoption petition is to state whether a GAL should 20 be appointed for a minor child to be adopted, and if not, the 21 reasons why a GAL should not be appointed. The bill also 22 requires that, prior to ordering a hearing on the adoption 23 petition, the court shall make a determination of the need for 24 a GAL for a minor child to be adopted and shall, in writing, 25 either appoint or waive the appointment of a GAL for purposes 26 of the adoption proceeding in the order setting the adoption 27 hearing. 28 -1- LSB 5340SV (1) 86 pf/nh 1/ 1