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 whose identities or locations are unknown. Additionally, the bill introduces a new fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem, which must be jointly developed by the courts in each county and submitted to the commissioners court. This fee schedule will outline payments for time spent in court and out of court, as well as reimbursements for reasonable expenses.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the removal of attorneys from the list of qualified individuals if they submit false claims for payment. It allows individuals whose payment claims are denied or modified to petition the presiding judge for a review. The new legal language inserted into the Family Code includes the establishment of a fee schedule under Section 107.0155, which mandates that the courts adopt this schedule by March 1, 2026, and clarifies that the amended provisions apply only to attorneys appointed after this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.015 (Family Code 107)