HB 1555

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Removes language providing that in a proceeding involving the support, custody, visitation, allocation of parental responsibilities, education, parentage, property interest, or general welfare of a minor or dependent child, a guardian ad litem appointed by the court shall testify or submit a written report to the court regarding his or her recommendations in accordance with the best interests of the child. Provides instead that a guardian ad litem shall investigate the facts of the case and interview the child and the parties and, unless the court directs otherwise, the guardian ad litem shall submit to the court and the parties a written report, written recommendations, or a proposed parenting plan not less than 30 days before a final hearing or trial. Requires a guardian ad litem to be available for deposition before a final hearing or trial notwithstanding any other discovery cutoff. Allows a guardian ad litem to: (i) be present for all proceedings, including in camera examinations of the child; (ii) issue subpoenas for records as part of the guardian ad litem's investigation; and (iii) file pleadings relating to procedural matters. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following change: Provides that the written report, written recommendations, or proposed parenting plan submitted by the guardian ad litem shall be in accordance with the child's best interests.