(1) Actions involving adult prisoners confined either within or without the State may be brought or defended by the prisoner. If for any reason the prisoner fails or is unable to defend an action, the court shall appoint a practicing attorney as guardian ad litem, and no judgment shall be rendered against the prisoner until the guardian ad litem shall have made defense or filed a report stating that after careful examination of the case he or she is unable to make defense.

(2) Fees allowed to counsel appointed to represent prisoners as respondents in dependency, abuse or neglect cases, or in parental rights termination cases, under the Juvenile Code, shall not exceed the amounts specified in KRS 620.100 or KRS 625.080. Counsel fee awards shall not exceed the statutory maximum, regardless of the number of persons represented in a proceeding by the counsel.