Guardianship of youth in custody of department.

If, at any time while legal custody of a youth is vested in the department of youth services, the department learns that he or she, for any reason does not have a natural or adoptive parent in a position to exercise effective guardianship or a legally appointed guardian of his or her person, the department may thereupon file a petition in the appropriate court for the appointment of a guardian of the person or property of such youth. No officer or employee of the department shall accept appointment as the guardian of a youth whose legal custody is vested in the department.

(Acts 1973, No. 816, p. 1261, §22.)