1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to child protection; clarifying the child's 
  1.3             rights and status as a party in child protection 
  1.4             proceedings; amending Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 
  1.5             260C.163, by adding a subdivision. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 260C.163, is 
  1.8   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 8a.  [STATUS OF CHILD AS PARTY.] In all proceedings 
  1.10  involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or 
  1.11  services or termination of parental rights, the child who is the 
  1.12  subject of the petition is a party to the proceeding and has all 
  1.13  of the rights of a party under statute and court rules.