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Committee backs bill limiting guardians ad litem to investigative role
Summary
The committee voted to advance HB 16 43 to require guardians ad litem (GALs) act as investigative arms of the court rather than making recommendations; members urged further work on training, oversight and complaint processes.
Representative Rice, a sponsor, told the committee HB 16 43 should be simple: GALs are an investigative arm of the bench and "they do not need to be making recommendations," leaving judges to read reports and reach their own conclusions.
Supporters and skeptics agreed GALs need better oversight. Representative Gregg, who served on the special family-court committee, said earlier reforms broadened who may serve as a GAL and flagged gaps in training and complaint handling: "While we're trying to address a problem, what we really need is interim study ... formalized training and selection of GALs."
Representative Pearson, chair of the special committee on the family division, acknowledged mixed performance among GALs and said judges sometimes rely too heavily on their reports. Representative Sher and others urged the committee not to treat judges as "empty vessels" and argued training and selection were the core problems.
After discussion the committee called the roll on Representative Rice's motion of 'ought to pass.' Members voting yes and no were recorded by the clerk; the motion carried and the bill will move forward with the committee's recommendations and any required follow-up work.
The committee closed the hearing and moved on to the next item.
