Dependent children: relative placements: disclosure.

Existing law requires a court to appoint counsel for a child who is not represented by counsel in dependency proceedings, except as specified. Counsel for the child is required to investigate the interests of the child beyond the scope of the juvenile proceeding, and report to the court other interests of the child that may require protection in other administrative or judicial proceedings. Existing law requires that in any case in which a child is removed from the physical custody of his or her parents due to abuse or neglect, preferential consideration be given to a request by a relative of the child for placement of the child with the relative.