GUARDIANS & CONSERVATORS; MODIFY                                                                                                     S.B. 503-506:

                                                                                                                                                                SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bills 503 through 506 (as introduced 6-3-21)

Sponsor:   Senator Ruth Johnson (S.B. 503)

                            Senator Jim Runestad (S.B. 504)

                            Senator Jeff Irwin (S.B. 505)

                            Senator Paul Wojno (S.B. 506)

Committee:   Judiciary and Public Safety

Date Completed:   6-10-21

CONTENT

Senate Bill 503 would amend the Estates and Protected Individuals Code to do the following:

 --     Modify and prescribe the duties and responsibilities of a guardian ad litem appointed for an individual alleged to be incapacitated.

 --     Require a guardian ad litem appointed for an individual alleged to be incapacitated or a legally incapacitated individual to file a written report containing certain specified information to the court, and require the guardian ad litem to serve it on all interested parties at least seven days before a hearing.

 --     Prohibit a court from appointing a person who was previously appointed as guardian ad litem as legal counsel for the individual if the guardian ad litem's report or recommendation to the court conflicted with the individual's wishes.

 --     Require a court to appoint legal counsel under certain circumstances and specify that the appointment or retention of legal counsel would terminate a guardian ad litem.

 --     Allow a court to appoint a special limited guardian ad litem under certain circumstances.

 --     Require a guardian to prepare an estate inventory and annual account if a conservator had not been appointed for a ward.

 --     Require a guardian to maintain a legally incapacitated individual in the individual's permanent residence if possible and consistent with the individual's well-being and preferences.

 --     Prescribe the procedure and requirements for removing a legally incapacitated individual from his or her permanent residence.

 --     Prescribe the duties of a guardian ad litem appointed for an individual alleged to need protection who was mentally competent but aged or physically infirm.

 --     Require a conservator to prepare and file an estate inventory and an annual account and account statements.

Senate Bill 504 would amend the Code to do the following:

 --     Prescribe requirements for the appointment of a professional guardian or professional conservator.

 --     Prohibit a court from appointing an individual as a guardian of a legally incapacitated indi