Okla. Stat. tit. 10, § 10-7505-1.2

A. 1. In a proceeding pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code,

the court shall appoint an attorney for a minor in a contested

proceeding pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code and may appoint an

attorney for a child in an uncontested proceeding or appoint an

attorney for the child to examine all expenses and attorney fees

presented to the court for approval.

2. The attorney shall be charged with the representation of the

child. To that end, the attorney shall make such further

investigation as the attorney deems necessary to ascertain the

facts, to interview witnesses, examine and cross-examine witnesses

at the preliminary hearing and trial, make recommendations to the

court, and participate further in the proceedings to the degree

appropriate for adequately representing the child.

3. The attorney shall be given access to all reports relevant

to the case and to any reports of examination of the child's parents

or other custodian made pursuant to this section.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 10. Children Page 334

4. Upon approval of the court, the attorney may be allowed a

reasonable fee for services provided by this section.

B. 1. The court may appoint a separate guardian ad litem for

the minor in a contested proceeding and shall appoint a separate

guardian ad litem upon the request of a party, the minor, the

attorney of the minor, prospective adoptive parent, or a person or

agency having physical or legal custody of the child.

2. The guardian ad litem shall not be a district attorney, an

employee of the office of the district attorney, an employee of the

court, an employee of a juvenile bureau, or an employee of any

public agency having duties or responsibilities towards the minor.

3. The guardian ad litem shall be appointed to objectively

advocate on behalf of the minor and act as an officer of the court

to investigate all matters concerning the best interests of the

minor. In addition to other duties required by the court and as

specified by the court, a guardian ad litem shall have the following

responsibilities:

a. review relevant documents, reports and other

information,

b. meet with and/or observe the child,

c. consider the child's wishes, as appropriate,

d. interview parents, caregivers and others with

knowledge relevant to the case,

e. advocate for the minor's best interests by

participating in appropriate aspects of the case and

advocating for appropriate community and other

services when necessary,

f. maintain the confidentiality of information related to

the case,

g. monitor the minor's best interests throughout any

judicial proceeding, and

h. advise the court of his or her findings and

recommendations, if any, and the facts upon which they

are based.

4. The guardian ad litem shall be given access to the court

file and access to all records and reports relevant to the case and

to any records and reports of examination of the minor's parent or

other custodian, as specified by the court, subject to such

protective orders regarding identifying information as the court

deems advisable.

5. Any person participating in a judicial proceeding as a

guardian ad litem shall be presumed prima facie to be acting in good

faith and in so doing shall be immune from any civil liability that

otherwise might be incurred or imposed.