The proposed bill establishes the Office of Professional Corporate Guardians within the New Jersey Department of Human Services, tasked with overseeing the licensing and standards of practice for professional corporate guardians. This office will adopt regulations, set practice standards, and maintain a searchable database of registered guardians. An executive director, appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services and required to be a qualified attorney, will lead the office to ensure compliance with guardianship laws and ethical standards. The bill outlines specific criteria for entities to qualify as professional corporate guardians, including the necessity for substitute guardians, liability insurance, and background checks for owners, while also detailing disqualifications based on criminal history and financial responsibilities.

Additionally, the bill authorizes the Office of Professional Corporate Guardians to access child abuse and domestic violence registries for background checks on potential guardians. It mandates the creation of an online registry that includes qualifications and disciplinary actions of guardians, and allows for the appointment of personal choice guardians through private arrangements. The bill emphasizes the responsibilities of professional corporate guardians, including advocacy for their wards and adherence to reporting requirements. It also outlines procedures for designating personal choice guardians, filling vacancies, and mandates that the Commissioner of Human Services and the Supreme Court adopt necessary rules for implementation, with the act taking effect 180 days after enactment.