We believe every child deserves a safe and loving home. When asked by lawmakers across the country for the single reform that will help protect the most abused and neglected children in foster care, our answer is always the same — attorney representation for children. The graphic below shows which states guarantee the appointment of client directed attorneys for all children.
| STATE | STATE STATUTE |
| Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-221 – 2021 Legislation SB 1391 required the appointment of Expressed/Stated-Interest legal counsel in all dependency cases |
| Connecticut | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-129a (2)(c) and § 46b-135 |
| Louisiana | LSA-Ch.. Art. 607; LSA-Ch.C. Art. 551 |
| Massachusetts | M.G.L.A 119 § 29 |
| Montana | Mont. Code Anno., § 41-3-425(2)(b); 2023 Legislation Senate Bill 148 required the appointment of Expressed/ Stated-Interest legal counsel in all dependency cases. |
| Nevada | Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432B.420(2); Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 128.100(2) |
| New Jersey | N.J. Stat. § 9:6-8.23; NJ Stat. §9:6-8.21(d)) |
| New York | NY CLS Family Ct Act § 241 |
| Oregon | O.R.S. § 419B.195 |
| Vermont | 33 V.S.A. § 5112 |