KentuckyNew state department would appoint lawyers for eligible court cases
Courts could request lawyers or guardians ad litem for eligible children and adults, and a new state department would appoint them starting July 1, 2027.
What it does
Courts could request a guardian ad litem or lawyer for eligible children and adults, and the new department would make the appointment after the court finds it necessary.
The bill sets up a state department to appoint and oversee lawyers for eligible clients, with regional offices and an appellate division. Its spending would depend on approved budgets and available funds.
Existing court appointments would continue until the court ends them. Starting July 1, 2027, the department would make new appointments under the bill’s process.
Argument forA statewide department with regional and appellate offices could help courts find lawyers for people who need representation.
Argument againstA statewide department and fixed fee caps could make it harder to recruit enough lawyers for urgent or complex cases.
More detail
The Department of Family Representation and Advocacy would appoint a guardian ad litem or lawyer when a court requests one. The department would handle requests for children and adults eligible for a guardian ad litem or court-appointed lawyer under the bill. The court must find that the appointment is necessary. The request must be one the court is allowed to make on behalf of a party.
The bill would establish the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy as an independent state agency to provide legal representation and related support. It would serve children and adults eligible for appointed counsel under the bill and have at least seven regional offices and an appellate division. The department would be attached to the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for administrative purposes. Its spending would depend on approved budgets and money available from state appropriations, gifts, grants, and federal funds.
The department would take over appointments made on or after July 1, 2027; current appointees would continue until the court releases them. This applies to guardians ad litem and court-appointed lawyers in the cases covered by the bill. The new appointment process applies on and after July 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 15recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)Latest
- Mar 26returned to Rules
- Mar 26taken from the Orders of the Day
- Mar 4posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026
- Feb 272nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Feb 26reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)Minor
- Feb 17to Families & Children (H)Minor
- Feb 9to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Feb 9introduced in HouseIntroduced
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