Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB598: AN ACT relating to guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel.
Status: In committee, April 15, 2026
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 15A to establish the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy and the Family Representation and Advocacy Commission to provide a state-sponsored and controlled system for training and appointing guardians ad litem and other counsel; amend various sections to cap guardian ad litem or counsel fees at $500; amend various other sections to conform; provide that the Act may be cited as the Family Representation and Advocacy Act; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.
What the bill says
An act relating to guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel.
From the committee substitute text:
AN ACT relating to guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 15A IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: As used in Sections 1 to 7 of this Act: (1) "Commission" means the Family Representation and Advocacy Commission that provides oversight and support to the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy and its director; (2) "Department" means the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy; (3) "Director" means the director of the Department of Family Representation and Advocacy; and (4) "Eligible client" means any child or adult eligible for appointment of a guardian ad litem or counsel in accordance with Section 6 of this Act. SECTION 2. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 15A IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) The Department of Family Representation and Advocacy is hereby established as an independent agency in the executive branch of state government, and is attached for administrative purposes to the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. (2) The purpose of the department is to: (a) Appoint, compensate, evaluate, and retain attorneys and other staff to provide legal representation and complimentary support services for eligible clients; and (b) Independently and collaboratively with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or any other relevant entity, …
Sponsors
- Stephanie Dietz (R, HD-065) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H)
- : returned to Rules
- : taken from the Orders of the Day
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
- : to Families & Children (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Short Titles And Popular Names, Courts, Children And Minors, Courts, Family, Courts, District, Effective Dates, Delayed, Disabilities, Attorneys
Common questions
- What is HB598?
- HB598 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel.
- What does HB598 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to guardians ad litem and other appointed counsel.
- What is the status of HB598?
- In committee as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: recommitted to Appropriations & Revenue (H) (April 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB598?
- Stephanie Dietz (R, HD-065).
- Where is the official record for HB598?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb598.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.