Kentucky
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House Bill 598

Actions | Amendments
Last Action 03/04/26: posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026
Title AN ACT relating to guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel.
Bill Documents Introduced
Fiscal Impact Statement Corrections Impact
Bill Request Number 3
Sponsor S. Dietz
Summary of Original Version Create new sections of KRS Chapter 15A to establish the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy and the Family Representation and Advocacy Commission to provide a state-sponsored and controlled system for training and appointing guardians ad litem and other counsel; amend various sections to cap guardian ad litem or counsel fees at $500; amend various other sections to conform; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Representation and Advocacy Act; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
Index Headings of Original Version Corrections Impact - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Attorneys - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Children And Minors - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Courts - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Courts, District - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Courts, Family - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Disabilities - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment
Effective Dates, Delayed - Guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel, July 1, 2027
Short Titles And Popular Names - Family Representation and Advocacy Act
Jump to Proposed Amendments House Committee Substitute 1

Actions

Top | Amendments
02/09/26
  • introduced in House
  • to Committee on Committees (H)
02/17/26
  • to Families & Children (H)
02/26/26
  • reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
02/27/26
  • 2nd reading, to Rules
03/04/26
  • posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026

Proposed Amendments

Top | Actions
Amendment House Committee Substitute 1
Summary Retain original provisions, except specify the minimum training requirements for staff attorneys and contract attorneys of the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy; require the Administrative Office of the Courts, in conjunction with the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy, to study and issue a report on how increasing statutory maximum pay for guardians ad litem and appointed counsel may impact quality of representation; make technical corrections.
Index Headings Attorneys - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment, minimum training requirements
Children And Minors - Guardians ad litem and counsel, appointment, minimum training requirements
Reports Mandated - Administrative Office of the Courts, guardians ad litem and counsel, compensation, study,

Last updated: 3/6/2026 4:40 PM (EST)