KRS 645.060: Procedures upon filing petition -- Appointment of counsel.

(1) Upon receipt of a petition for certification, the court shall appoint counsel from the

Department of Public Advocacy to represent the child at every stage of the

proceedings.

(2) Within seven (7) days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, of the filing of a

petition, counsel shall advise the court in writing whether the child wishes to

contest the petition:

(a) If the child does not wish to contest the petition, the court may order the child

hospitalized for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days; and

(b) If the child wishes to contest the petition, a certification hearing shall be held

within seven (7) days, exclusive of weekends and holidays, of the filing of the

child's wishes. Pending the certification hearing, the child's placement shall

remain unchanged unless the court finds a change would promote the best

interest of the child.

(3) The court may order the parents to pay for the child's counsel.