An Act relative to guardian ad litems

This bill directs the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Department to conduct a comprehensive study on guardians ad litem and their current compensation system. The investigation will analyze attorney pay rates, time spent on cases, travel expenses, and the impact of recent salary adjustments on the availability of legal representation for children in court. Additionally, the study will gather data on attorney debt burdens and project future staffing levels to determine if current pay is sufficient to maintain an adequate number of guardians. By January 1, 2025, the department must submit a report with its findings and any recommended legislative changes to the state's judiciary committee.