Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 1815 amends provisions of the Family Code relating to court-ordered representation in suits affecting the parent-child relationship. The bill reorganizes Chapter 107, Family Code, with respect to the powers and duties of amicus attorneys, attorneys ad litem, guardians ad litem, and volunteer advocates and clarifies the rules that apply to appointees based on the type of suit for which the appointment is made -- a suit filed by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (DPRS) or a private custody suit. The bill creates a new category of appointment, the amicus attorney, whose role is to assist the court in protecting a child's best interest rather than providing services directly to the child and provides for the "dual role" of an attorney appointed to act as both guardian ad litem and attorney ad litem in a suit filed by DPRS.