TX HB5551

Expands mandatory attorney ad litem appointments to all suits filed by governmental entities seeking termination of parental rights or conservator appointments, removing the limitation to only Subtitle E cases

Requires courts in each county to jointly develop and adopt a fee schedule by January 1, 2026, for compensating attorneys ad litem in government-filed suits when parents are indigent

Fee schedules must specify eligible services and expenses, include hourly or fixed payment rates based on reasonable time, overhead costs, and attorney availability, and provide an itemization form for payment claims

Creates an appeal process allowing attorneys whose payment claims are denied, modified, or not approved within 60 days to petition the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region for review and payment determination within 45 days

Authorizes courts to remove attorneys from the qualified appointment list after notice and hearing if they submitted false vouchers for services not performed