SC H3103

Requires guardians ad litem in private custody or visitation actions in Family Court to be licensed attorneys in good standing with the South Carolina Supreme Court

Eliminates the option for laypersons to serve as guardians ad litem, removing previous qualifications for lay guardians including age requirements, education minimums, and observation of custody hearings

Maintains the requirement that attorney guardians ad litem complete at least six hours of family law continuing legal education annually in custody and visitation areas, with possible court waiver

Removes the court's authority to appoint an attorney for a lay guardian ad litem, as lay guardians will no longer be permitted

Retains existing disqualifications including convictions for crimes against persons, morality offenses, domestic violence, drug offenses, or contributing to delinquency of a minor, and placement on the DSS Central Registry of Abuse and Neglect