The bill amends the Family Code to address the appointment and compensation of attorneys ad litem in cases involving 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 are unknown or who have not been successfully served. The bill also introduces new provisions regarding the compensation of these attorneys, stating that if the parents are indigent, attorneys not employed by public legal representation offices will be compensated from the county's general funds according to a fee schedule.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new section requiring each county court to develop and adopt a fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem, which must include specific payment structures for time spent in court and related expenses. It mandates that this fee schedule be adopted by March 1, 2026, and clarifies that the new compensation rules will apply only to attorneys appointed after this date. The bill aims to ensure fair compensation for legal representation in cases involving children while maintaining accountability for the services rendered by attorneys ad litem.

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