Bill > S744

This bill amends Chapter 215 of the General Laws to establish a new Section 56B, which allows any judge of the probate and family court to appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL), a person appointed by the court to represent the interests of a child or incapacitated person in legal proceedings, to initiate contempt proceedings. These proceedings are specifically for parties who fail to comply with probate and family court judgments concerning the care, custody, or maintenance of minor children, as outlined in section thirty-four A. The appointed GAL will have the authority to personally serve any summons or capias, which is a type of court order, throughout the commonwealth related to enforcing this section. The bill further specifies that the compensation and any expenses incurred by the GAL will be determined by the court and paid by the defendant or the commonwealth, as ordered by the court, after certification by the judge to the state treasurer. Additionally, state police, local police, and probation officers are required to assist the appointed GAL upon their request.