The bill amends various sections of Washington State's guardianship and conservatorship laws to improve the qualifications and procedures for appointing guardians and conservators. Notable changes include lowering the minimum age for guardianship from 21 to 18 years, requiring lay guardians to complete standardized training, and extending the timeframe for petitioners to identify a specific individual for guardianship from 14 to 30 days. If a petitioner fails to identify a guardian within this timeframe, the court is required to dismiss the guardianship. The bill also introduces new provisions for the appointment of court visitors, emphasizing the rights of respondents, including the right to counsel and a jury trial, and mandates that guardians provide notice of their appointment and the rights of the adult subject to guardianship within 14 days.

Additionally, the bill enhances the rights and protections of adults under guardianship by requiring guardians to present a detailed statement of the adult's rights in accessible language. It outlines procedures for appointing emergency guardians, including necessary information for emergency petitions and the rights of the adult during the process. The bill also establishes reporting requirements for court visitors and emergency guardians, modifies the requirements for guardianship petitions, and ensures that individuals subject to conservatorship receive clear information about their rights. Furthermore, it mandates the office of public guardianship to submit an annual report to the legislature, detailing service demand, barriers, and outcomes, thereby aiming to strengthen the legal framework surrounding guardianship and protect the rights of vulnerable adults.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 11.130.090, 11.130.100, 11.130.270, 11.130.280, 11.130.315, 11.130.320, 11.130.040, 11.130.365, 11.130.380, 11.130.425, 11.130.430, 11.130.530
Substitute Bill: 11.130.090, 11.130.100, 11.130.270, 11.130.280, 11.130.315, 11.130.320, 11.130.040, 11.130.365, 11.130.380, 11.130.425, 11.130.430, 11.130.530
Second Substitute: 11.130.090, 11.130.100, 11.130.270, 11.130.280, 11.130.315, 11.130.320, 11.130.040, 11.130.365, 11.130.380, 11.130.425, 11.130.430, 11.130.530
Bill as Passed Legislature: 11.130.090, 11.130.100, 11.130.270, 11.130.280, 11.130.315, 11.130.320, 11.130.040, 11.130.365, 11.130.380, 11.130.425, 11.130.430, 11.130.530
Session Law: 11.130.090, 11.130.100, 11.130.270, 11.130.280, 11.130.315, 11.130.320, 11.130.040, 11.130.365, 11.130.380, 11.130.425, 11.130.430, 11.130.530