Senate Bill 1215 Summary

• Replaces all references to "family independence agency" with "department of human services" throughout the Estates and Protected Individuals Code sections governing minor guardianships.

• Authorizes courts to assess costs of court-ordered investigations and lawyer-guardian ad litem fees against parties involved in guardianship proceedings or against marriage license fee funds allocated for family counseling services.

• Clarifies that a temporary guardian's appointment shall not exceed 6 months and modifies language regarding guardians appointed under section 5202 to have priority over court-appointed guardians.

• Allows courts to order parents to pay reasonable support and parenting time with minor wards under guardianship arrangements.

• Applies the amended provisions to all guardianships established before, on, or after April 1, 2000.