H.B. No. 5551 amends the Family Code to enhance the appointment and compensation processes for attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by governmental entities. Key changes include the addition of provisions that allow courts to remove attorneys from the list of qualified individuals if they submit false claims for payment. It also establishes a new fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem, which must be developed collaboratively by the courts and the commissioners court in each county. This fee schedule will outline eligible services and expenses, ensuring that attorneys are compensated fairly for their work.

The bill further clarifies the roles of offices of child and parent representation, specifying that these entities use public funds to provide legal representation in cases where such appointments are mandatory. It expands the applicability of certain sections to include suits filed under Subtitle E and mandates that the new fee schedule be adopted by January 1, 2026. The provisions of this act will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to cases filed after this date.

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)