House Bill 570 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Guardians ad litem; duties further provided for

Summary

HB570 would expand and clarify guardians ad litem duties in Alabama dependency and parental rights cases to better protect children's best interests.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require a guardian ad litem (GAL) to be appointed for each child party in dependency or termination of parental rights cases, with the GAL’s primary duty to protect the child’s best interests. The GAL must regularly meet with the child and foster parents before hearings, explain what to expect, and stay in touch during emergencies. The GAL must conduct ongoing independent investigations, review relevant reports and records, participate in developing and negotiating service plans and court orders, monitor progress, and file pleadings when there are delays or noncompliance; the GAL would also advocate for appropriate services, including trauma-informed counseling. The GAL would attend all dependency court hearings, participate in proceedings (including subpoenas and discovery), and may obtain copies of proceedings; training is required before appointment, and trained volunteers may also be used;GALs can be appointed for more than one child or for both a child and a parent; the act takes effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Children who are parties to dependency or termination of parental rights cases, whose best interests will be protected by expanded GAL duties.
• Guardians ad litem, who will have enhanced duties, training requirements, and potential use of trained volunteers.
• Foster parents, custodians, and families who interact with the GAL and whose reports and records will be reviewed.
• Biological or legal parents and families who may receive advocacy and services through ISPs and court orders.
• The juvenile court and the Department of Human Resources, which will coordinate with GALs and review related reports.
• Potentially multiple children per GAL, and cases where a GAL may represent a parent and child together.

Key Provisions

• Appoints a GAL for every child party in dependency or termination of parental rights cases, with primary duty to protect the child’s best interests.
• GAL must meet with the child and the child’s foster parents before every court hearing and explain what is expected, including during emergencies.
• GAL duties include ongoing, independent investigations (face-to-face meetings, communication with foster parents, and review of DHR reports, CASA reports, IEPs, ISPs, foster parent reports, medical/educational/mental-health records).
• GAL attends and participates in development and negotiation of individualized service plans and proposed court orders; monitors timely implementation and progress toward a timely, permanent resolution; files pleadings for delays or noncompliance as needed.
• GAL advocates for appropriate services (e.g., trauma-informed counseling) and training for the child’s family and caregivers; engages in dependency court hearings, including examination of witnesses, subpoenas, discovery, and pleadings; obtains copies of proceedings and participates in depositions and negotiations.
• Training is required before appointment; courts may also appoint trained volunteers to assist; GALs may be appointed for more than one child or for both a minor and an incapacitated parent.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 5, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Family Law