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Committee carries over bill requiring SLED checks for court-appointed lay guardians amid volunteer-cost concerns
Summary
House Bill 3013, which would require court-appointed lay guardians ad litem to undergo and pay for an annual SLED criminal background check, was carried over after testimony from the Department of Children's Advocacy raised concerns about financial and operational impacts on volunteer guardians and recommended moving provisions into the children's code.
The subcommittee carried over House Bill 3013 after hearing detailed concerns about scope, placement in the code and cost to volunteers.
Sharon, committee staff, summarized the bill’s main elements: court-appointed lay guardians ad litem in child custody and child welfare matters would be required to submit and pay for a SLED criminal background check valid for 365 days, provide an affidavit to the court attesting to compliance, and immediately notify the court if arrested or charged with certain serious offenses; failure to comply could be grounds for removal or contempt.
Tina Hardy, general counsel for the Department of Children's Advocacy, testified that the agency has concerns about the breadth and placement of the proposal and the cost implications for volunteers. Hardy said the department already obtains background checks for staff and volunteers (which include state and national components) on a four-year schedule and that a per-check cost is about $22; she warned asking volunteers to pay could create a hardship and could reduce participation.
Members asked whether attorneys or paid private guardians are excluded from the requirement and sought clarity on which criminal-history checks the bill intends. After discussion about scope, timing and statutory placement, the subcommittee voted to carry over HB 3013 for further work rather than advance it this session.
