AB 519

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.