CT SB00309

Establishes regional children's probate courts with administrative judges who may continue serving after leaving elected probate judge positions, with retirement benefits calculated under existing probate court retirement provisions (effective July 1, 2012)

Allows probate court officers at regional children's probate courts to conduct conferences, facilitate care plans, assess family circumstances, and file reports admissible as evidence in proceedings (effective October 1, 2012)

Creates new "estate examiner" position to investigate potential causes of action and insurance claims for deceased persons' estates without authority over assets, replacing prior temporary administrator provisions for limited investigation purposes (effective January 1, 2013)

Modifies guardianship review procedures for wards with intellectual disabilities by clarifying attorney involvement, establishing 45-day reporting deadlines, requiring personal observation by Department of Developmental Services professionals, and requiring attorneys to meet with wards before hearings (effective October 1, 2012)

Removes probate district references from records management statutes and transfers related administrative duties from Probate Court Administrator to Public Records Administrator (effective October 1, 2012)