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A. As used in this section:

1. “Best interests” means a determination with regard to a vulnerable adult that is made from the perspective of the vulnerable adult, considering, but without giving primary importance to, the convenience of the vulnerable adult’s relatives, caregivers or health care providers, and without regard for the perceived quality of life of the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult’s perceived nearness to death.

2. Court-appointed advocates for vulnerable adults” or “CAAVA” means a responsible adult who has been trained and is supervised by a Court-appointed advocates for vulnerable adults program recognized by the Court, and who has volunteered to be available for appointment under this section to serve as an officer of the Court, as a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of any vulnerable adult over whom the court exercises jurisdiction, until discharged by the Court.

3. Court-appointed advocates for vulnerable adults program” means an organized program, administered by either an independent, not-for-profit corporation, a dependent project of an independent, not-for-profit corporation, or a unit of local or tribal government, which recruits, screens, trains, assigns, supervises and supports volunteers to be available for appointment by the Court as guardians ad litem, to represent the best interests of a vulnerable adult.

4. “Vulnerable adult” means a person, eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is a victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation, or who is disabled.

B. Whenever a petition is filed alleging that a potential ward, hereinafter referred to as a vulnerable adult, is abused, neglected, exploited or disabled, or for any other action related to the vulnerable adult, the Court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the vulnerable adult at any time subsequent to the filing of the petition. ONCA 13-34, eff. Apr. 19, 2013.