HB 277 Virginia House of Delegates · 2019 Regular Session

Guardians ad litem for children; report requirements, certification form.

Summary
Requires guardians ad litem appointed to represent a child in a matter to conduct an investigation in compliance with certain standards. The bill further requires the guardian ad litem to file a copy of any written report directed by the court with the clerk of court. The bill requires the guardian ad litem to furnish a copy of such report to the attorneys representing parties and parties proceeding pro se in the matter prior to any trial or other proceeding or hearing on the matter. The bill provides that, where a written report is not directed, the guardian ad litem shall inform all attorneys representing parties and parties proceeding pro se of any recommendations intended to be made to the court prior to any trial or other proceeding or hearing on the matter. The bill specifies that a guardian ad litem's report shall not be admitted into evidence unless the contents are otherwise established at the trial or other proceeding or hearing on the matter. The bill requires the guardian ad litem to file with the court, with a copy to attorneys representing parties and parties proceeding pro se, a certification form of such guardian's compliance with certain standards, along with a summary of the investigation conducted by such guardian. The bill provides that the court shall grant a continuance as justice requires should such guardian ad litem fail to meet any specified requirements contained in the bill.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2018
Committee Review
Feb 2018
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2018
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 3, 2018 Last action Feb 12, 2018
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House of Delegates by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Feb 12, 2018
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
Feb 9, 2018
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (86-Y 13-N)
lower
Feb 8, 2018
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended HB277E
lower
Feb 8, 2018
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment agreed to
lower
Jan 16, 2018
Committee
Assigned Courts sub: Subcommittee #2
lower
Jan 3, 2018
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
Jan 3, 2018
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18103671D
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Christopher E. Collins
Christopher E. Collins
RRepublican
VA
29