Requires that a guardian ad litem who is appointed to a child to have mandatory conversations with the child

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ann Kelley

Guardians ad litem must personally speak with the child in private for at least 15 minutes before every court proceeding in specified family and juvenile cases.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#childrenandminors #courts #guardians

Summary of HB 1836 (2026) – Missouri

Purpose and intent

Establishes a requirement that a guardian ad litem (GAL) appointed to a child must have a direct conversation with the child before each court proceeding in certain case types.

The conversations are intended to ensure the child’s voice and best interests are considered in court decisions.

Key provisions

Four new sections added to the Missouri Revised Statutes:

210.162
211.465
452.427
453.027

Common requirements across the four sections:

A GAL appointed to a child in the specified proceedings must conduct a conversation with the child prior to every court hearing.
Conversations must occur in a private room.
Each conversation must be at least 15 minutes in length.

Section-specific contexts

210.162: Applies to guardians ad litem in child proceedings under:

Sections 210.110 to 210.165 (general juvenile/child welfare proceedings) or
Sections 210.700 to 210.760 (likely related to protective custody and related actions).

211.465: Applies to guardians ad litem in child proceedings under:

Sections 211.442 to 211.487 (specific family or child welfare cases within this chapter).

452.427: Applies to guardians ad litem in custody/visitation or support determinations under:

Sections 452.375 to 452.410.

453.027: Applies to guardians ad litem in proceedings under:

Sections 453.005 to 453.170 (likely dissolution, termination, or related family law actions).

Who is affected

Guardians ad litem appointed to represent children in the listed categories of family, juvenile, custody, or related court proceedings.

The provision creates an ongoing duty for each GAL to speak with the child before each court appearance in the specified case types.

Procedural and timing aspects

Timing: The child must be contacted and conversations held prior to every court proceeding in the applicable cases.

Location: Conversations must occur in a private room, ensuring confidentiality.

Duration: Each conversation must be no shorter than 15 minutes.

Compliance implications: The bill imposes a new, mandatory procedural requirement on GALs; failure to conduct the mandated conversation could raise questions of compliance, potentially affecting GAL duties or court considerations.

Status and process (as of the available information)

Introduction: HB 1836 introduced in 2026 by Representative Kelley.

Action history:

Prefiled on 2025-12-01.
Read First Time on 2026-01-07.
Read Second Time on 2026-01-08.
Referred to Emerging Issues (H) on 2026-05-15.

Support/ sponsorship:

Primary sponsor: Representative Kelley.
Co-sponsor: Ann Kelley.

Practical considerations and potential impact

Aims to enhance child participation and perspective in court proceedings by formalizing direct conversations with the GAL.

May increase GAL workload and scheduling considerations due to mandatory 15-minute conversations prior to each proceeding.

Could influence court proceedings by providing the child’s input to inform custody, visitation, or welfare decisions.

Implementation details (e.g., records of conversations, confidentiality safeguards) are not specified in the text provided and may be addressed in accompanying bill language or implementing guidelines.

Summary statement

HB 1836 would require guardians ad litem to personally speak with the child in private, for at least 15 minutes, prior to every court proceeding in a defined set of family and juvenile cases. The intent is to ensure the child’s voice is considered in judicial determinations concerning custody, visitation, support, and related matters.