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Bill > SB55


KY SB55

AN ACT relating to guardian ad litem fees.


summary

Introduced
01/07/2025
In Committee
01/09/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/28/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amend KRS 403.100 to require a guardian ad litem that is appointed for any minor child in a dissolution or custody proceeding under KRS Chapter 403 be paid a reasonable fee fixed by the court and paid by the Finance and Administration Cabinet when the respondent and petitioner have an active order of protection and both parties are indigent.

AI Summary

This bill amends Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 403.100 to expand the circumstances under which a guardian ad litem (a court-appointed legal representative responsible for representing the best interests of a minor child in legal proceedings) will have their fees paid by the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Currently, the law only provided for fee payment when a respondent was incarcerated for specific criminal convictions and the petitioner was the victim. The bill now adds a new provision that allows for fee payment when both parties in a dissolution or custody proceeding have an active order of protection and are considered indigent (low-income). This means that in cases involving domestic disputes where both parties cannot afford legal representation and have protective orders in place, the state will cover the guardian ad litem's reasonable fees to ensure that the minor child's interests are professionally represented during legal proceedings.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

to Appropriations & Revenue (S) (on 01/09/2025)

bill text


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