The proposed bill would update current statutes by establishing the Child and Family Representation Program within the Administrative Office of the Courts, which aims to improve legal representation for children and parents in dependency proceedings. This program would include requirements for training assessments, performance audits, and annual reporting to the Legislature on its effectiveness, with a review of its continuation every five years starting in 2030. Additionally, the bill would implement provisions that allow judicial officers to serve on boards or commissions and prohibit such service unless authorized by law, while also freezing salaries and bonuses for family court judges and employees for the fiscal years 2026-2028. Moreover, the bill would require counties to establish agreements with the Department of Corrections before filing prosecution cost claims related to state correctional facilities and would modify the distribution formula for the State Aid to Juvenile Proceedings Fund by capping maximum distributions to counties. It also extends the expiration of the Fentanyl Prosecution Fund and includes the previous funding provisions while introducing new compensation rates for attorneys serving as court-appointed counsel. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the judicial system while addressing specific funding and operational concerns.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-102.05, 12-299.16, 13-2314.01, 31-227, 41-2409, 8-221, 35-190, 13-2301, 13-2312, 13-2314.03, 13-4315, 41-196, 13-4301, 41-1278