Child Welfare Parental Representation Program -- Creation -- Duties -- Annual report -- Budget

(1) There is created within the office the Child Welfare Parental Representation Program. (2) The office shall: (a) administer and enforce the program in accordance with this part; (b) manage the operation and budget of the program; (c) develop and provide educational and training programs for parental representation attorneys; (d) subject to appropriation from the Legislature, provide support for indigent parental defense services through the Indigent Defense Commission grant process; (e) administer the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program, established in Section 80-22-805; and (f) provide information and advice to assist a parental representation attorney to comply with the attorney's professional, contractual, and ethical duties. (3) (a) The executive director shall prepare a budget of: (i) the administrative expenses for the program; and (ii) the amount expended in the prior year to fund contracts, the Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Program, and other parent representation program costs. (b) On or before October 1 of each year, the executive director shall report to the governor and the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel regarding the preceding fiscal year on the operations, activities, and goals of the program.