Rep. Kim Rice says bill would clarify guardian ad litem role and remove mandatory recommendations

Rep. Kim Rice told the Senate Children and Family Law Committee that HB 1643 is intended to clarify the role of guardians ad litem (GALs) in family‑court cases by removing any statutory requirement that their written reports include recommendations.

"GALs are intended to serve as neutral investigators for the court — gathering facts, interviewing parties and presenting information, not acting as the decision maker," Rice told the committee. The bill would leave judges full access to investigative facts while preventing undue weight from being placed on a single written recommendation.

Supporters — including several representatives who serve in related roles — told the committee GALs receive training to be neutral and that the change would reinforce that judges, not GALs, make final determinations. Senator Long and other members asked technical questions about whether judges could still call GALs to testify; the sponsor and multiple witnesses said judges would still be able to question GALs and ask for opinions in open court.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB 1643 after no members of the public wished to speak and reserved further action.