IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE

IN RE: ORDER ESTABLISHING TENNESSEE SUPREME COURT RULE 40
GUIDELINES FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM FOR CHILDREN IN
JUVENILE COURT NEGLECT, ABUSE AND DEPENDENCY PROCEEDINGS

Filed February 5, 2002 (jsr)

ORDER

In its continuing efforts to improve the judicial response to neglected, abused and dependent children in the State of Tennessee, the Supreme Court established the Permanency Planning Commission in 1996 to assess the juvenile court process. The assessment concluded that several barriers to permanency for these children existed within the judicial system. A plan to address these barriers was developed. This Rule is a response to the initiatives of the Commission to address the barriers to permanency for these children.

It is HEREBY ORDERED that the rule set forth in attached Exhibit A be and hereby is adopted as Rule 40 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Tennessee.

FOR THE COURT:

____________________________________

FRANK F. DROWOTA, III, CHIEF JUSTICE