1. A parent or other person responsible for the welfare of a child who is alleged to have abused or neglected the child may be represented by an attorney at all stages of any proceedings under NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, if the person is indigent, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the person.

2. A child who is alleged to have been abused or neglected shall be deemed to be a party to any proceedings under NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive. The court shall appoint an attorney to represent the child. The child must be represented by an attorney at all stages of any proceedings held pursuant to NRS 432B.410 to 432B.590, inclusive. The attorney representing the child has the same authority and rights as an attorney representing any other party to the proceedings.

3. If the court determines that the parent of an Indian child for whom protective custody is sought is indigent, the court:

(a) Shall appoint an attorney to represent the parent; and

(b) May apply to the Secretary of the Interior for the payment of the fees and expenses of such an attorney,

as provided in the Indian Child Welfare Act.

4. Each attorney, other than a public defender or an attorney compensated through a program for legal aid described in NRS 19.031 and 247.305, if appointed under the provisions of subsection 1 or 2, is entitled to the same compensation and payment for expenses from the county as provided in NRS 7.125 and 7.135 for an attorney appointed to represent a person charged with a crime.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1379; A 1987, 1308; 1995, 787; 1999, 2037; 2001, 1703; 2003, 590; 2015, 1326; 2017, 1287)