Jodi Munson Rodriguez
Published: 2018
Total Pages: 99
Get eBook
Each year, thousands of children in Minnesota are involved in court cases related to abuse, neglect, custody, and other matters. In some of these cases, the courts appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) to help ensure the child's needs are not overlooked during the court process. Guardians ad litem assess a child's situation and make recommendations to the court about a child's best interests. Some members of the public and legislators have expressed concerns about the GAL program, including that it lacks sufficient training requirements, minimum qualifications, and oversight. In response to these concerns, the Legislative Audit Commission directed the Office of the Legislative Auditor to evaluate the GAL program in Minnesota.