Relating to the duration of an appointment of a guardian ad litem or an attorney ad litem for a child in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
The bill's provisions allow for the guardian ad litem or attorney ad litem's appointment to be maintained as long as the child remains in the DFPS conservatorship. This change aims to provide stability and continuity in legal representation during what can be a tumultuous time for children involved in family court cases. By extending the duration of these appointments, SB469 seeks to enhance the advocacy available to children, ensuring their best interests are consistently represented throughout legal proceedings.
SB469 amends the Family Code regarding the duration of appointments for guardians ad litem and attorneys ad litem for children under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The primary focus of this legislation is to clarify the conditions under which these appointments may be extended, particularly in cases involving the termination of parental rights or the appointment of DFPS as a conservator. By providing clearer guidelines, the bill intends to ensure that child representatives continue to serve effectively throughout the duration of the conservatorship process.
Notably, the bill includes specific language regarding the conditions for terminating the appointment of the attorney ad litem for a parent or alleged father. The attorney shall remain until certain conditions are met, including the dismissal of the relevant suit, exhaustion of all appeals concerning parental rights, or a court decision to relieve the attorney based on a finding of good cause. This addresses potential concerns about the availability of legal resources for parents during complex custody and parental rights cases.
As per the provisions in the bill, these changes will apply to any suit affecting the parent-child relationship, regardless of when the suit was filed. This retroactive applicability can help streamline existing cases while ensuring that new cases benefit from the updated guidelines. The implementation of SB469 is set to take effect on September 1, 2017, promoting a more structured approach to guardianship and legal representation in family law contexts.