A. The legislature finds that society has a responsibility to provide indigent or absent parents with quality legal representation, including curatorship appointments, in child abuse and neglect cases. Provision of counsel for indigent parents or curators for absent parents are essential due process rights provided by Louisiana law to ensure sound and fair decision-making concerning children’s safety, permanency, and well-being. Legal counsel providing representation in child abuse and neglect cases should have specialized knowledge and skills essential for effective representation. Resources to support the provision of legal representation, including curatorship appointments, of indigent or absent parents should be used efficiently and equitably to assure qualified representation throughout the state.B. The legislature finds that there is a need for a uniform system of representation of indigent or absent parents statewide that provides for appropriate oversight, minimization of potential conflicts, and adequate local and state funding. To this end, the legislature finds that local public defender offices best serve the interests of children and families by representing indigent or absent parents, which shall include curatorship appointments, in child abuse and neglect cases consistent with the provisions of R S. 15:185.1 et seq., and with the Trial Court Performance Standards for Attorneys Representing Parents in Child in Need of Care and Termination of Parental Right Cases provided in Chapter 11 of Part XV of Title 22 of the Louisiana Administrative Code.
