S.B. No. 1838 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 cases where the termination of parental rights or the appointment of a conservator is requested. Additionally, it 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.

The bill also establishes a new section, 107.0155, which mandates that courts in each county develop and adopt a fee schedule for compensating attorneys ad litem. This schedule must detail eligible services and expenses, include payment rates based on reasonable costs, and provide a form for itemizing claims. Furthermore, it allows for the removal of attorneys from the qualified list if they submit false claims for payment. The provisions of the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to attorneys appointed on or after January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 107.015, Family Code 107.252, Family Code 107.254, Family Code 107.255, Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.012, Family Code 107.307 (Family Code 107)
Senate Committee Report: Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.015 (Family Code 107)
Engrossed: Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.015 (Family Code 107)
House Committee Report: Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.015 (Family Code 107)
Enrolled: Family Code 107.013, Family Code 107.015 (Family Code 107)