H.B. No. 5551 amends the Family Code to establish new provisions regarding the appointment and compensation of attorneys ad litem in cases affecting the parent-child relationship initiated by governmental entities. The bill specifies that courts must appoint an attorney ad litem to represent certain parties, including indigent parents opposing termination of parental rights and alleged fathers whose identities or locations are unknown. Additionally, it introduces a fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem, which must be developed collaboratively by the courts in each county and submitted to the commissioners court. This fee schedule will outline eligible services and expenses, ensuring that attorneys are compensated for their time both in and out of court.

The bill also includes provisions for the removal of attorneys from the list of qualified individuals if they submit fraudulent claims for payment. It allows attorneys whose payment claims are denied or modified to appeal to the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region. The new legal language inserted into the bill emphasizes the need for a structured fee schedule and clarifies the payment process for attorneys ad litem, particularly in cases where parents are indigent. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply to attorneys appointed on or after January 1, 2026.

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)