The bill amends the Family Code to address the appointment and compensation of attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by governmental entities. It specifies that courts must appoint an attorney ad litem to represent certain parties, including indigent parents and alleged fathers, in cases where the termination of the parent-child relationship or the appointment of a conservator is requested. The bill also introduces a new fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem, which must be developed and adopted by the courts in each county by January 1, 2026.

Key changes include the insertion of provisions that clarify the payment process for attorneys ad litem, particularly for those who are not employees of public legal representation offices. The bill establishes that if parents are found to be indigent, the attorney ad litem will be compensated from the county's general funds according to the newly adopted fee schedule. Additionally, the bill allows for the removal of individuals from the list of qualified attorneys if they submit false claims for payment, and it provides a mechanism for attorneys to appeal denied or modified payment claims. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 107.015, Family Code 107.252, Family Code 107.254, Family Code 107.255, Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.012, Family Code 107.307 (Family Code 107)
House Committee Report: Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.015 (Family Code 107)