WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2770

Department of Child Protection Services; revise provision related to guardian ad litems and CPS representation by counsel.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brice Wiggins

SB 2770 would revise guardian ad litem roles and CPS's representation by counsel in child-protection cases, clarifying duties and possibly changing advocacy and court workflows.

Died In Committee
#judiciary #divisiona
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2770

SB 2770 — Department of Child Protection Services; guardian ad litems & CPS representation by counsel

Status: Died in Committee (Judiciary, Division A)
Introduced: March 14, 2025 (bill history includes activity beginning in 2024)
Classification: Bill — Subject: Judiciary, Division A
Companion bill: HB 2517

Purpose / Intent

Based on the bill title, SB 2770 proposed to amend law governing the Department of Child Protection Services (CPS) by revising statutory provisions that relate to:
- the appointment, role, or procedures for guardian ad litem (GAL) in child protection proceedings; and
- the circumstances or procedures under which CPS is represented by counsel in court.

The apparent intent was to clarify or change how GALs are used in child welfare cases and to define or modify CPS’s legal representation, with the goal of improving procedural clarity, accountability, or efficiencies in child protection litigation.

Key provisions (summary-level)

The bill text is not included in the provided record. From the title and subject matter, SB 2770 likely would have done one or more of the following:
- Revised standards, duties, or appointment procedures for guardian ad litem in dependency/child-protection matters (for example, qualifications, scope of advocacy, access to records, or coordination with attorneys).
- Clarified whether and when CPS (the agency) is represented by counsel, including who provides representation (agency attorneys vs. contracted counsel), and delineated counsel’s duties or limits in CPS-initiated proceedings.
- Addressed procedural rules to reduce role overlap/conflict between GALs, parents’ counsel, children’s counsel, and CPS counsel.

Because the bill text is not provided, specific statutory changes (code sections amended, precise language, or funding implications) cannot be stated here.

Who would be affected

  • Children involved in dependency/child-protection proceedings
  • Parents and other legal guardians
  • Guardian ad litem volunteers or attorneys
  • CPS staff and agency attorneys (and any outside counsel)
  • Courts and judges handling child welfare cases
  • Legal service providers and advocacy organizations

Potential impacts would include changes in advocacy scope for GALs, clarity about legal representation for the agency, alteration of workflow in hearings, and possible budgetary/administrative effects depending on new duties or counsel requirements.

Legislative actions / timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: 2024–2025 timeframe (recorded introduction 01/19/2024 and 03/14/2025 in different entries)
  • Passed Senate (Third Reading): 03/05/2024 (Ayes 25–0) and transmitted to House
  • Referred to multiple House committees (EEP, CPC, FIN) and later to Judiciary, Division A
  • Final status: Died In Committee — recorded 02/04/2025

Sponsors

Primary sponsors: Senators Kidani, Wakai, Aquino, Chang, Fevella
Cosponsor: McKelvey

Notes / next steps

  • The summary above is derived from the bill title and legislative history provided; the actual provisions are not included in the record supplied. For exact statutory language, fiscal impacts, and amendment details, consult the bill text and fiscal analyses or the companion HB 2517.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.