S.B. No. 24 amends the Family Code to enhance the appointment and compensation processes for attorneys ad litem in cases involving the parent-child relationship filed by governmental entities. The bill specifies that courts must appoint an attorney ad litem to represent certain parties, including indigent parents and alleged fathers, in such suits. It introduces new provisions regarding the compensation of these attorneys, stating that they are entitled to reasonable fees and expenses set by the court, which will be paid by the parents unless they are indigent. 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 newly established fee schedule.

Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for creating a fee schedule for attorneys ad litem, which must be developed and submitted by the courts in each county by March 1, 2026. This schedule will outline eligible services and expenses, including court appearances and necessary travel costs. The bill also includes provisions for the removal of attorneys from the qualified list if they submit fraudulent claims and allows for appeals regarding denied or modified payment claims. The changes are set to take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

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