37-1-610 - Guardian ad litem Parental reimbursement of costs and expenses.
37-1-610. Guardian ad litem Parental reimbursement of costs and expenses.
(a) A guardian ad litem shall be appointed to represent the child in any child sexual abuse civil or juvenile judicial proceeding and in general sessions or criminal court at the discretion of the court. Any person participating in such proceeding resulting from such appointment shall be presumed prima facie to be acting in good faith and in so doing shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that otherwise might be incurred or imposed.
(b) In those cases in which the parents are financially able, the court may order such parent or parents to reimburse the court to the extent of insurance coverage; provided, that the court shall order the perpetrator in all cases, whether such person is a parent or other person, to fully reimburse the court for such expenses, for the cost of provision of guardian ad litem services and any medical and treatment costs resulting from the child sexual abuse. Reimbursement to the individual providing such services shall not be contingent upon successful collection by the court from the parent or parents.
[Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 11.]