This bill proposes the establishment of the Child and Family Representation Program within the Administrative Office of the Courts, aimed at enhancing legal representation for children and parents involved in dependency proceedings. The program will collaborate with superior courts, judges, and attorneys to ensure high-quality legal representation, assess training availability, recommend minimum training requirements, audit compliance with legal standards, and file ethical complaints against attorneys when necessary. Additionally, it will work with various stakeholders, including the Department of Child Safety and parents affected by the child welfare system, to improve legal representation and recommend fair compensation rates for attorneys.

Furthermore, the bill appropriates $200,000 and one full-time equivalent (FTE) position from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the implementation of this program. The program is also required to report annually on its effectiveness in assessing and documenting the outcomes achieved by children represented by counsel. Overall, the bill aims to create a structured framework for improving legal representation in dependency cases, ensuring accountability, and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-102.05