The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 1836 Mandates 15-Minute Private Conversations Between Guardians Ad Litem and Children Prior to Court Proceedings
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsor: Ann Kelley
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Guardians ad litem appointed to children in child abuse, juvenile court, custody, and adoption proceedings are required to conduct private conversations lasting at least 15 minutes with the child prior to every court proceeding.
Changes legal mandates for court-appointed child representatives across four distinct state code chapters, establishing uniform minimum time and privacy standards for client interactions prior to judicial hearings.
- Guardians ad litem are court-appointed advocates who represent the best interests of minors in various legal matters such as custody disputes, abuse and neglect cases, and adoptions. context
- House Bill 1836 was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the Missouri General Assembly by Representative Ann Kelley. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
guardians ad litem
Guardians ad litem must conduct mandatory 15-minute private conversations with child clients prior to every court proceeding across specified legal chapters.
children subject to proceedings
Children involved in covered court proceedings are guaranteed a private, minimum 15-minute conversation with their appointed guardian ad litem prior to each court date.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a guardian ad litem required to do under HB 1836?
Does this requirement apply to custody and adoption cases?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools