(f)__A person appointed by the court as a guardian ad litem acts as the court's agent and is entitled to quasi-judicial immunity for acts performed within the scope of the duties of the guardian ad litem.

(g)__A guardian ad litem must be given notice of all civil or criminal hearings and proceedings, including, but not limited to, grand juries, in which the child is a party or a witness.__The guardian ad litem shall protect the best interests of the child in those hearings and proceedings, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Sec. 2. 19-A MRSA §1507, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

1. Guardian ad litem; appointment. In contested proceedings under sections 904 and, 1653 and 1803 in which a minor child is involved, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child. The appointment may be made at any time, but the court shall make every effort to make the appointment as soon as possible after the commencement of the proceeding. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem when the court has reason for special concern as to the welfare of a minor child. In determining whether an appointment must be made, the court shall consider:

A. The wishes of the parties;

B. The age of the child;

C. The nature of the proceeding, including the contentiousness of the hearing;

D. The financial resources of the parties;

E. The extent to which a guardian ad litem may assist in providing information concerning the best interest of the child;

F. Whether the family has experienced a history of domestic abuse;

G. Abuse of the child by one of the parties; and