🟡Relating to special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

HB 2530

🟡 HB 2530: Restructures court-appointed amicus attorneys in custody cases

What it says it does:
HB 2530 updates how courts appoint amicus attorneys in private custody cases. It promises clearer qualifications, transparency about conflicts of interest, and guaranteed pay for attorneys who assist judges in deciding what’s best for a child.

What it actually changes:
The bill requires that every appointment order specify duties, pay rates, and terms. It forbids courts from requiring unpaid work. It also allows interpreter costs to be charged to the parents and limits how much amicus attorneys can be questioned or cross-examined about their recommendations. In smaller counties, judges can bypass some training requirements if no qualified attorney is available.

Who is pushing for it:
The Texas Family Law Foundation strongly supported the bill, with lobbyists Amy Bresnen, Carlos Salinas, and Greg Beane registering in favor in both chambers.

Who benefits:
Family law attorneys gain a guaranteed, billable role in custody disputes, with stronger protections against public scrutiny. Judges get clearer appointment rules and less risk of procedural challenges.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Families with limited income now shoulder new mandatory costs, including interpreter fees. Parents representing themselves lose leverage to question an amicus’s influence. In rural areas, families may face underqualified appointments because of the “otherwise qualified” exception.

Why this matters long term:
This bill sets a precedent for shifting courtroom costs away from the state and onto private families. It formalizes a professional class of court-appointed attorneys who wield significant influence over custody outcomes but face minimal direct accountability.

What to watch next:
Future legislation could expand these paid roles, build statewide rosters, or impose new mandatory fees in other types of civil cases. Watch for similar cost-shifting patterns that privatize access to justice under the label of reform.

Bottom line:
HB 2530 looks like a technical cleanup, but it changes who pays and who decides. It strengthens lawyers’ roles inside the system while leaving families with heavier costs and fewer ways to challenge outcomes.

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