HB 4847 Summary

• Establishes new certification and qualification requirements for individuals appointed as guardians or conservators of legally incapacitated or protected individuals, including certification by supreme court administrative order or service limitations.

• Permits individuals without certification to serve as guardian or conservator only if they serve no more than 2 individuals without compensation, are related by blood/adoption/marriage, or are licensed attorneys serving no more than 3 individuals.

• Requires courts to consider specific suitability factors when appointing guardians or conservators, including the individual's preferences, availability, relationship history, criminal history, and ability to fulfill duties regardless of interpersonal disputes.

• Allows certified professional guardians to use support staff under direct supervision but prohibits delegation of decision-making authority regarding contracts, medical consent, placement, or care planning decisions.

• Modifies visitation requirements for professional guardians from within 3 months initially to monthly visits, with certified professional guardians prohibited from delegating visitation to non-certified persons.

• Ties implementation to concurrent passage of HB 4848, HB 4849, and HB 4850.