§234. Judicially appointed curator

            In lieu of selecting a payee to receive assistance, the department, pursuant to federal regulations, may require the referral of the case to the district court for a judicially appointed curator. The court is authorized to appoint a capable, interested, and willing third person, irrespective of whether he is related to the child within any of the degrees of relationship set forth in Section 406(a) of Title IV of the Social Security Act, to receive the payments and use them in the best interest of the child. The curator shall be accountable at whatever intervals are specified by the court and the court shall require a bond or whatever other security is deemed necessary by the court to ensure the faithful performance of the curator's duties. The curator, upon being appointed, shall take the oath and letters of authority may be issued to him. In those instances in which the department requires the case be referred to the court for the appointment of a curator, each local governing authority shall have the option in any case to provide compensation to the curator.

            Acts 1962, No. 28, §2. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 786, §6, eff. July 17, 1978; Acts 2018, No. 206, §5; Acts 2025, No. 478, §12, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.