BILL ANALYSIS
By: Lucio
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill is designed to provide a fair system for appointing attorneys ad litem. Current law mandates no system, and is subject to ethical concern.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The bill would require a local administrative judge to maintain a list of all attorneys qualified to serve as attorney ad litem and would require courts to appoint attorneys from the list in order unless an exception can be based on relevant specialized education, training, certification or skill. The list and appointments therefrom would be required beginning December 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005