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Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio requires guardians ad litem and child advocates to complete trauma-informed care training
Last action · May 20, 2026: Referred to JudiciarySponsors: Darnell Brewer and 3 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Ohio House Bill 897 requires guardians ad litem and court-appointed special advocates involved in child welfare and juvenile proceedings to complete at least three hours of training every two years. The training must be completed within 120 days of the section's effective date and includes instruction on child development, trauma-sensitive interviews, and secondary trauma.
Changes professional development obligations for court-appointed child advocates and guardians ad litem in Ohio, requiring them to complete specialized instruction to continue representing minors in child welfare and juvenile court proceedings.
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 and child advocates
Must complete at least three hours of trauma-informed care training every two years and demonstrate compliance within 120 days of the effective date.
Ohio Supreme Court
Authorized to approve organizations and providers for qualified trauma-informed care training and recognize hours toward attorney continuing legal education.
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
Who is required to take the trauma-informed care training?
How many hours of training are required and how often?
By when must advocates first demonstrate compliance?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- May 20, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to Judiciary
- May 12, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced
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
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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