Guardian Ad Litem Fees (language only)

Item 34 #2c

Language
Page 20, line 47, strike "$11,580,225" and insert "8,680,225".
Page
20, line 47, strike "$11,580,225" and insert "8,680,225".
Page 21, after line 33, insert:
"E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a Guardian ad Litem is appointed for a child by the Commonwealth, the juvenile and domestic relations district court or the circuit court, as the case may be, shall order the parent or parents of the child to reimburse the Commonwealth the costs of such services in an amount not to exceed the amount awarded the Guardian ad Litem by the court.  If the court determines the parents are unable to pay, the required reimbursement may be reduced or eliminated.  In addition, it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Supreme Court actively administer the Guardian ad Litem program to ensure that payments made to Guardians ad Litem do not exceed that which is required.  The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall report August 1 and January 1 of each year to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees on the amounts paid for Guardian ad Litem purposes, amounts reimbursed by parents and/or guardians, savings achieved, and management actions taken to further enhance savings under this program."

Explanation
(This amendment provides legislative intent for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts to achieve cost savings by instituting a requirement that parents, where able, reimburse the court for Guardian ad Litem fees. This amendment also directs the Supreme Court to actively manage the program to achieve proposed cost savings and to report on payments under this program on a semi-annual basis.)