Senate Bill 23-064 Summary

• Transforms the Office of Public Guardianship from a pilot program set to expire in 2024 into a permanent agency within the judicial department, with operations expanding to all 64 judicial districts statewide by December 31, 2030.

• Replaces the Public Guardianship Commission with a new Board of Directors for the Office of Public Guardianship consisting of seven members: three attorneys appointed by the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court and four non-attorney members appointed by the Governor, including individuals with lived experience serving at-risk adults.

• Grants the Office authority to initiate guardianship petitions on behalf of indigent and incapacitated adults and expands services to include actions private guardians may take, subject to prioritizing individuals with the greatest needs.

• Requires guardians employed by the Office to be certified by state or national organizations within two years of hire, undergo comprehensive training in ethics, laws, and best practices, and comply with background checks of the Colorado Adult Protective Services Data System.

• Mandates annual reports to the judiciary committees summarizing operations and identifying efficiencies and obstacles, with a performance audit required between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2030.