(1) An attorney guardian ad litem may not presume that a child and the child's parent are adversaries. (2) An attorney guardian ad litem shall be trained on and implement into practice: (a) the parental rights and child and family protection principles provided in Section 80-2a-201; (b) the fundamental liberties of parents and the public policy of the state to support family unification to the fullest extent possible; (c) the constitutionally protected rights of parents, in cases where the state is a party; (d) the use of a least restrictive means analysis regarding state claims of a compelling child welfare interest; (e) the priority of maintaining a child safely in the child's home, whenever possible; (f) the importance of: (i) kinship placement, if the child is removed from the home; and (ii) keeping sibling groups together, whenever practicable and in the best interests of the children; (g) the preference for kinship adoption over nonkinship adoption, if the parent-child relationship is legally terminated; (h) the potential for a guardianship placement if the parent-child relationship is legally terminated and no appropriate adoption placement is available; and (i) the use of an individualized permanency plan, only as a last resort. (3) The office shall implement policies and practice guidelines that reflect the priorities described in Subsections (2)(e) through (i) for the placement of children.
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