CS/CS/CS/HB 403 - Guardianship Reform Summary

• Renames the "Statewide Public Guardianship Office" to the "Office of Public and Professional Guardians" and restructures it to oversee both public and professional guardians with enhanced regulatory authority.

• Establishes new disciplinary procedures for professional guardians including investigation protocols, hearings under Chapter 120, specific grounds for discipline, and penalties ranging from reprimands to permanent revocation of registration.

• Requires professional guardians to complete credit and criminal background investigations, register annually (fee capped at $100), complete 40 hours of initial training and 16 hours of continuing education every 2 years, and pass an examination.

• Creates standardized practices and monitoring tools for professional guardians by October 1, 2016, and authorizes the Office to seek injunctions and writs of mandamus against violators.

• Appropriates $698,153 in recurring funds and $123,517 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2016-2017 to the Department of Elderly Affairs to implement these requirements.