Senate Bill 522 proposes the creation of a new statute, 767.407 (1) (bm), which allows a court to appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) for a minor child in cases where a petition for reasonable visitation rights has been filed by a grandparent, great-grandparent, stepparent, or an individual who has maintained a parent-child-like relationship with the child. The bill mandates that if the petitioner presents a prima facie case for visitation, the court is required to appoint a GAL for the minor child.

This bill modifies the existing legal framework regarding the appointment of GALs in family law cases. Currently, a GAL is appointed only when there are specific concerns about the child's welfare or when custody or placement is contested. The new provision expands the circumstances under which a GAL must be appointed, thereby ensuring that the interests of the child are represented in visitation proceedings initiated by nonparents.