Assembly Bill 519 mandates the appointment of a guardian ad litem (GAL) for minor children in family law proceedings when a petition for reasonable visitation rights is filed by a grandparent, great-grandparent, stepparent, or an individual who has maintained a parent-child-like relationship with the child, provided that the petitioner has established standing. This requirement is a new addition to the existing law, which previously stipulated that a GAL must be appointed only under specific circumstances, such as when there are concerns for the child's welfare or when custody or placement is contested.

The bill introduces the new legal language under section 767.407 (1) (bm), which specifies that the court is obligated to appoint a GAL in these visitation cases. This change aims to ensure that the interests of the minor child are adequately represented in legal proceedings concerning visitation rights. The bill will take effect for petitions filed on or after the effective date of the subsection.