Sec. 16. (a) The circuit or superior court exercising jurisdiction over an adoption proceeding in any of the following counties shall establish a guardian ad litem pilot program to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of an incapacitated parent: (1) LaPorte County. (2) Marshall County. (3) Starke County. (b) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem under this section if a parent of a child subject to a petition for adoption: (1) is an individual with an intellectual disability; and (2) has a court appointed guardian. (c) The provisions of IC 31-32-3 concerning the:
(1) representation; (2) duties; (3) liabilities; and (4) appointment; of a guardian ad litem apply to a guardian ad litem appointed under this section. (d) The cost and expenses incurred in connection with the appointment of a guardian ad litem are paid by the county upon order of the appointing court. (e) This section expires July 1, 2026. As added by P.L.97-2024, SEC.1.