B.__Fees for driving records and for criminal record checks concerning persons involved in the action for which the guardian ad litem has been appointed.

Sec. 4. 19-A MRSA §1803, sub-§2, ¶D, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2 is amended to read:

D. If the court's determination under paragraph C is in the affirmative, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem as provided in section 1507.__The court shall hold a hearing on the grandparent's petition for reasonable rights of visitation or access and shall consider any objections the parents or legal guardians may have concerning the award of rights of visitation or access to the grandparent. If the court has appointed a guardian ad litem, the court shall also consider the report of the guardian ad litem. The standard for the award of reasonable rights of visitation or access is provided in subsection 3.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §4005, sub-§1, ¶H is enacted to read:

H.__Guardians ad litem are not required to pay the following fees:

(1)__Court filing fees for filing a motion to enforce court orders, including orders for payment; and

(2)__Fees for driving records and for criminal record checks concerning persons involved in the action for which the guardian ad litem has been appointed.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the laws concerning guardians ad litem. It adds a section to the Probate Code to provide for appointment, qualifications, access to information, application of the best interest of the child standard, requirement of a report, immunity, requirement of notice and waiver of fees for guardians ad litem serving the Probate Court. This bill also authorizes appointment of a guardian ad litem in an action in which a grandparent is seeking contact with a child. This bill provides that guardians ad litem are not required to pay certain court filing fees and fees for driving records and criminal record checks concerning persons involved in the action.