The bill amends the Family Code to establish new provisions regarding 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. Additionally, the bill introduces a fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem, which must be developed and adopted by the courts in each county by January 1, 2026.

Key amendments include the insertion of language that clarifies the compensation structure for attorneys ad litem, particularly for those who are not employees of public legal representation offices. The bill also allows for the removal of individuals from the list of qualified attorneys if they submit false claims for payment. Furthermore, it establishes a process for attorneys to appeal denied or modified payment claims to the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region. The provisions of the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to attorneys appointed 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)