The bill amends the Friend of the Court Act, specifically section 5, to clarify the duties of the Friend of the Court in domestic relations matters. Key changes include the requirement for the office to inform parties that they may opt out of having the Friend of the Court administer and enforce obligations unless one party is required to participate in the Title IV-D child support program. Additionally, the bill mandates the provision of an informational pamphlet that must explain court procedures, the rights and responsibilities of the parties, and the availability of alternative dispute resolution, among other topics. Notably, the pamphlet must now include information about the presumption of equal or approximately equal parenting time.

Further amendments specify that the Friend of the Court must provide form motions and instructions for parties to use without legal counsel, and it emphasizes the importance of documenting all relevant facts during investigations related to child custody and support. The language throughout the section has been updated to replace "shall" with "must," reinforcing the obligations of the office. The bill also outlines the conditions under which fees for investigations may be charged, ensuring that no fees are imposed if the investigation was not requested by either party or if a party is deemed indigent. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of related legislation.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 552.505