CT HB05505

Courts cannot order supervised visitation with a parent unless the parent has substantiated abuse/neglect from DCF, no established relationship with the child, engaged in criminal conduct presenting risk to the child, or suffers from severe mental disability presenting risk.

Persons aggrieved by actions of court-appointed counsel or guardians ad litem for minor children may bring civil actions in superior court seeking damages or equitable relief, with the court awarding costs and attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs and prohibiting immunity as a defense.

In family relations matters, when a court orders a parent or child to undergo treatment or evaluation by a licensed health care provider, the parent or legal guardian may select the provider, or if parents disagree on a child's provider, the court must allow two weeks for joint selection before the court decides.

Evaluation results from licensed health care providers must be submitted to the court within 30 days of completion.

Court-appointed counsel or guardians ad litem shall not be heard on medical diagnoses or conclusions made by treating health care professionals; instead, the health care professional may be heard if the court deems it in the child's best interests.