This bill amends Florida Statutes to allow individuals with felony convictions to be appointed as guardians under specific conditions. It introduces new criteria for such appointments, stating that a court may appoint a person with a felony conviction if they are the parent of the proposed ward, have disclosed their conviction, and have completed all terms of their sentence at least ten years prior to the application. Additionally, the felony must not involve financial exploitation or harm to vulnerable adults, and the court must find that the individual is otherwise suitable and that the appointment is in the best interests of the proposed ward. The court is also empowered to impose additional requirements on these guardians to ensure the safety of the proposed ward and their property.

The bill also revises the list of disqualified persons from being appointed as guardians, removing the blanket prohibition against individuals with felony convictions and instead allowing for conditional appointments. It maintains other disqualifications related to incapacity, abuse, and conflicts of interest. Furthermore, it amends the reasons for the removal of a guardian to include felony convictions that occur after the appointment. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 737 Filed: 744.309, 744.474
H 737 c1: 744.309, 744.474
H 737 c2: 744.309, 744.474