Skip to content

Bills · 2021-2022 Regular Session

SB 414

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: the appointment of a guardian ad litem in a proceeding to grant reasonable visitation rights to a nonparent. (FE)

Children — Protection and services Court — Procedure Family

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill requires a court to appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) for a minor child

in an action affecting the family where a petition for visitation rights has been filed

by a grandparent, great-grandparent, stepparent, or person who has maintained a

relationship similar to a parent-child relationship with the child and the petitioner

has established standing to file the petition.

Under current law, a court is required to appoint a GAL for a minor child in an

action affecting the family if the court has reason for special concern as to the welfare

of the minor child or, with certain exceptions, if legal custody or physical placement

of the child is contested. Current law also allows appointment of a GAL for a minor

child if legal custody or physical placement is stipulated to be with any person or

agency other than a parent of the child or, if at the time of the action, the child is in

the legal custody of or physically placed with a person or agency other than the child's

parent.

What it would cost

Fiscal estimates filed by state agencies, as official PDFs

Sponsors

Introduced by: Ballweg (R) , Jacque (R) , L. Taylor (D)

10 cosponsors

Armstrong (R) , Behnke (R) , Brandtjen (R) , Dittrich (R) , Gundrum (R) , Horlacher (R) , Subeck (D) , Thiesfeldt (R) , Tusler (R) , Wichgers (R)

Full history

  1. Jun 10, 2021 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Jacque, L. Taylor and Ballweg; cosponsored by Representatives Brandtjen, Dittrich, Armstrong, Behnke, Gundrum, Horlacher, Subeck, Thiesfeldt, Wichgers and Tusler

  2. Jun 10, 2021 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Human Services, Children and Families

  3. Jun 24, 2021 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  4. Jul 6, 2021 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  5. Mar 15, 2022 · Senate

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1