Sec. 71.0355. PLAN AND REPORT ON COURT-ORDERED REPRESENTATION. (a) The council shall develop a statewide plan requiring counties and courts in this state to report information on court-ordered representation for appointments made in suits affecting the parent-child relationship under Part 1, Subchapter B, Chapter 107, Family Code. In developing the plan, the council must consider the costs to counties of implementing the plan and design the plan to reduce redundant reporting.

(b) Not later than November 1 of each odd-numbered year and in the form and manner prescribed in the plan, each local administrative district judge for a court subject to the plan, or the person designated by the judge, shall prepare and provide to the council:

(1) a copy of all formal and informal rules and forms the court uses to appoint representation in suits affecting the parent-child relationship under Part 1, Subchapter B, Chapter 107, Family Code;

(2) any fee schedule the court uses for court-ordered representation; and

(3) information on whether the court is complying with Chapter 37, including the lists and the rotation system required by that chapter.

(c) Each county auditor, or other individual designated by the commissioners court of a county, shall prepare and send to the council, in the form and manner prescribed in the plan, information on the money spent by the county during the preceding state fiscal year to provide court-ordered representation in suits affecting the parent-child relationship under Part 1, Subchapter B, Chapter 107, Family Code. The information must include:

(1) the total amount of money spent by the county to provide court-ordered representation services; and

(2) of the money spent under Subdivision (1), the amount of money spent:

(A) for appointments in each district court, county court, statutory county court, and appellate court in the county;

(B) for appointments of private attorneys for respondents, including parents, children, and alleged fathers, who are indigent;

(C) for appointments of public counsel for respondents, including parents, children, and alleged fathers, who are indigent; and

(D) for investigation, expert witness, or other litigation expenses.

(d) Each local administrative district judge for a court subject to the plan, or the person designated by the judge, and each county auditor, or other individual designated by the commissioners court of a county, shall provide to the council the information required under the plan and this section.

(e) The council annually shall:

(1) compile in a report the information submitted to the council under the plan and this section;

(2) submit the report compiled under Subdivision (1) to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives; and

(3) electronically publish the report compiled under Subdivision (1).

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 586 (S.B. 560), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.