Bill > HB0372

This bill modifies existing Utah law to enhance the oversight and responsibilities of guardians ad litem, who are individuals appointed by a court to represent the best interests of a minor in legal proceedings, particularly in child welfare cases. Key provisions include the establishment of a Guardian ad Litem Oversight Committee, composed of various stakeholders including judges, attorneys, mental health professionals, and individuals with lived experience in the child welfare system, to oversee the statewide guardian ad litem program. The bill also clarifies that determinations of a minor's best interest must be made in accordance with specific sections of Utah law, and it refines the duties and training requirements for attorneys serving as guardians ad litem, emphasizing independent investigation, direct communication with the minor, and the importance of considering the minor's expressed wishes alongside the attorney's professional judgment of the minor's best interests. Additionally, the bill adjusts reporting requirements for fatality review committees and legislative committees, and it clarifies the confidentiality of certain records related to these reviews and guardian ad litem cases.

Justice

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0372.html