Appointment of Guardian Ad

Litem (a) The judicial authority may appoint a guard- ian ad litem for a minor involved in any family matter. Unless the judicial authority orders that another person be appointed guardian ad litem, a family relations counselor shall be designated as guardian ad litem. The guardian ad litem is not required to be an attorney. (b) With the exception of family relations coun- selors, no person may be appointed as guardian ad litem unless he or she: (1) Is an attorney in good standing, licensed to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the Judicial Branch; or (2) Is a mental health professional, licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and in good standing, in the areas of clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, psychology or psychiatry; or (3) Is a mental health professional, licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and in good standing, in an area other than clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, profes- sional counseling, psychology or psychiatry, who has been approved as eligible to serve as a guard- ian ad litem by the standing committee on guard- ians ad litem and attorneys for the minor child in family matters. Such approval may be requested by submitting an application containing the follow- ing information to the standing committee for its consideration: (A) The area of mental health in which the appli- cant is licensed and in good standing; (B) A statement as to whether the applicant’s practice incorporates the topics of family dynam- ics, childhood development and adjustment, com- municating with children, trauma, addiction, and domestic violence including a detailed description of the way in which these topics are incorporated; (C) A statement that the applicant is otherwise in compliance with the remainder of this section in its entirety; and (D) Any other information the applicant believes will assist the standing committee in making a fully informed decision regarding the request. The standing committee may contact the appli- cant to obtain clarification or further discuss the application. The standing committee shall review the appli- cation and provide a written decision to the appli- cant. The standing committee’s decision will be based upon a majority vote and shall be final. The applicant may not request reconsideration or further review once the standing committee has issued its decision, (4) Provides proof that he or she does not have a criminal record; (5) Provides proof that he or she does not appear on the Department of Children and Fami- lies’ central registry of child abuse and neglect; (6) Completes a minimum of twenty hours of preservice training as determined by the standing 320 © Copyrighted by the Secretary of the State of the State of Connecticut SUPERIOR COURT—PROCEDURE IN FAMILY MATTERS