The Committee on Judiciary proposes the following amendment (LC-3013.VR0001H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, SECTION 1, by striking Section 63-3-820(B)(2) and inserting:

  (2) A lay guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to Section 63-3-810, appointed in matters involving the Department of Social Services, or appointed under any other provision of state law related to guardian ad litem appointments must undergo aan annual criminal history background check conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. This background check must be submitted in compliance with subsection (D) prior to each and every appointment as a lay guardian ad litem under any provision of state law. Costs of conducting each criminal history background check must be borne by the individual seeking to be appointed as the guardian ad litem. Such costs may not be assessed to, reimbursed by, or otherwise paid by any party to the action.
  (3) The criminal history background check shall be valid for three hundred sixty-five days from the date of issuance and shall satisfy the requirements of this section for any appointment occurring within that time period.
  (4) All guardians ad litem subject to subsection (B)(2) have an affirmative duty to immediately notify the court and the parties if, during the pendency of any appointment, the guardian ad litem is arrested for or charged with any offense enumerated in subsection (B)(1). Upon such notification, the court shall review the continued eligibility of the guardian ad litem to serve in the matter. Failure to comply with the notification requirement constitutes grounds for removal and may subject the guardian ad litem to contempt of court.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.