Senate Bill 713 Summary

• Establishes definitions for "isolated adult" (individual 18+ denied visitation by another) and "qualified person" (spouse, child, grandchild, parent, sibling, or someone with significant ongoing relationship to the isolated adult).

• Creates new Part 6 (sections 5601-5603) allowing qualified persons to petition courts for visitation orders when an isolated adult's contact is being denied, with a presumption favoring visitation unless respondent proves by clear and convincing evidence of abuse or harm.

• Expands guardianship duties requiring guardians ad litem to determine with whom wards wish to communicate and visit, including identifying individuals named in patient advocate designations, and to assess appropriateness of visitation.

• Adds ward rights to visit and communicate with qualified persons and individuals named in patient advocate designations, and allows qualified persons to petition for court orders requiring guardians to notify them within 14 days of ward's change of residence or hospital/skilled nursing facility admission.

• Modifies patient advocate designation provisions to include statements regarding desired communication and visitation with others, and clarifies that guardians cannot exercise powers already held by valid patient advocates.