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SB 56

Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certain attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.

89th Legislature, 1st Called Session (2025) Introduced by Judith Zaffirini

SB 56 restructures how Texas appoints and compensates court-appointed attorneys representing children in government-initiated child welfare cases.

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#attorney'sfees(s0202) #countygovernment--finance(i0097) #courts--judges(i0140) #family--parent&child(i0355)
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Bill Summary · SB 56

Legislative bill overview

SB 56 modifies Texas law governing the appointment and payment of attorneys ad litem (court-appointed legal representatives) in child custody and welfare cases initiated by government agencies. The bill specifically addresses compensation structures and appointment procedures for these attorneys in cases affecting parent-child relationships.

Why is this important

Attorneys ad litem represent children's interests in family law cases, particularly in Child Protective Services proceedings. How they are appointed and compensated directly affects case outcomes, legal representation quality, and the speed of child welfare proceedings. This bill impacts families involved in the foster care and child protective system, as well as state budgeting for judicial administration.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to the state: Changes to attorney compensation could increase or decrease state expenditures for child welfare legal representation, affecting budget priorities
  • Quality of legal representation: Compensation levels influence attorney recruitment and case quality; advocates may dispute whether proposed changes adequately fund robust child representation
  • Access and consistency: Different appointment procedures could create geographic disparities in how effectively children's interests are represented across Texas counties

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

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