Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certain attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.

SB 56 amends Texas Family Code sections 107.013 and 107.015 to clarify court appointments and compensation for attorneys representing parents in child custody cases filed by government entities. It requires courts to appoint court-appointed lawyers for specific groups, including indigent parents opposing termination, parents served by publication, and fathers with unknown identities or unverified paternity registry addresses. The bill changes payment rules, directing counties to cover fees for these lawyers from general funds (not parents) using a standardized fee schedule, instead of relying on parent payments. This ensures consistent representation for vulnerable parents in cases initiated by government agencies like child welfare offices.