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2002 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Committee Approved)

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Guardian Ad Litem Fees

Item 34 #2h

Item 34 #2h

First Year - FY2003 Second Year - FY2004
Judicial Department
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts FY2003 ($1,871,605) FY2004 ($1,871,605) GF

Language
Page 20, line 44, strike "$52,694,933" and insert "$50,823,328".
Page 20, line 44, strike "$52,694,933" and insert "$50,823,328".
Page 20, line 47, strike "$11,580,225" and insert "9,978,620".
Page 20, line 47, strike "$11,580,225" and insert "9,978,620".
Page 21, after line 33, insert:
"E.  Funding for guardian ad litem fees is reduced under this item by $1,871,605 in the first year and $1,871,605 in the second year. Fees for guardians ad litem shall not be in excess of the maximum rate paid to attorneys representing persons charged with a Class 3 felony except in exceptional circumstances where the guardian ad litem receives approval from the applicable judge to undertake additional work for cases of extraordinary complexity.  The Supreme Court shall report one month after the close of each quarter to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on the amounts paid for guardian ad litem purposes, savings achieved, and management actions taken to further enhance savings under this program."


Explanation
(This amendment reduces the Criminal Fund appropriation for Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts to reflect cost savings achieved through instituting a cap on guardian ad litem fees. The cap is identical to the cap on attorneys' fees for Class 3 felonies. This amendment also directs the Supreme Court to report on payments under this program on a quarterly basis.)