Fiscal Summary

Not Available

Bill Summary

This bill creates a pilot project to establish an office of the guardian ad litem in Lawrence County to serve courts in each county within the twenty-second judicial district and to represent the best interest of children in dependency and neglect proceedings in those courts. Such office is intended to do the following:

(1) Create more timely permanency for children in dependency and neglect proceedings, including by expedited adoption proceedings where appropriate;

(2) Create consistency in representation of children in dependency and neglect proceedings;

(3) Reduce the workload of the department of children's services;

(4) Promote the efficient use of monetary resources; and

(5) Ensure quality representation for all children in dependency and neglect proceedings.

This bill provides that the office is supervised by, and administratively attached to, the secretary of state's office, and employees of the office are state employees and not required to seek payment from the administrative office of the courts. The office would employ the following staff:

(1) A managing attorney, certified as a child welfare law specialist;

(2) Five guardians ad litem, certified as child welfare law specialists;

(3) One administrative assistant; and

(4) Two legal assistants.

This bill requires the office to seek available funding from the federal government to fund the uniform training of employees of the office, and to compile a report of the results of the pilot project, and any recommendations for related legislation, to be filed with the judiciary committee of the senate and the civil justice committee of the house of representatives by January 15, 2026.