FL S0232

Renames the "Statewide Public Guardianship Office" to the "Office of Public and Professional Guardians" and restructures it as part II of chapter 744, Florida Statutes, expanding its oversight to include both public and professional guardians.

Establishes new disciplinary procedures for professional guardians including complaint investigation, hearings under chapter 120, and penalties ranging from reprimands to permanent revocation of registration, with disciplinary guidelines to be adopted by rule by October 1, 2016.

Requires the Office to establish standards of practice for professional guardians by October 1, 2016, develop monitoring tools for compliance, and implement procedures for reviewing allegations of violations, with reporting requirements to courts and the Department of Children and Families for suspected abuse.

Creates grounds for discipline of professional guardians including fraud, criminal convictions, failure to meet educational requirements, improper financial gain, sexual conduct involving wards, and failure to report violations, with the office authorized to seek injunctions or writs of mandamus for violations.

Appropriates $698,153 in recurring funds and $123,517 in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Elderly Affairs for the 2016-2017 fiscal year to implement the act's requirements and establishes an effective date upon becoming law.