43-3710. Appointment of volunteer; procedure.

(1) A judge may appoint a court appointed special advocate volunteer in any proceeding brought pursuant to section 43-247 or 43-292 when, in the opinion of the judge, a child who may be affected by such proceeding requires services that a volunteer can provide and the court finds that the appointment is in the best interests of the child.

(2) A volunteer shall be appointed pursuant to a court order. The court order shall specify the volunteer as a friend of the court acting on the authority of the judge. The volunteer acting as a friend of the court may offer as evidence a written report with recommendations consistent with the best interests of the child, subject to all pertinent objections.

(3) A memorandum of understanding between a court and a court appointed special advocate program is required in any county where a program is established and shall set forth the roles and responsibilities of the court appointed special advocate volunteer.

(4) The volunteer's appointment shall conclude:

(a) When the court's jurisdiction over the child terminates;

(b) Upon discharge by the court on its own motion;

(c) With the approval of the court, at the request of the program director of the court appointed special advocate program to which the volunteer is assigned; or

(d) Upon successful motion of a party to the action for the removal of the volunteer because the party believes the volunteer has acted inappropriately, is unqualified, or is unsuitable for the appointment.

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