MS HB641

Authorizes county boards of supervisors, individually or jointly, to establish an office of public guardian to provide guardianship, conservatorship, and guardian ad litem services for incapacitated and vulnerable persons.

Requires the public guardian to be a licensed Mississippi attorney with at least 5 years of practice experience, appointed for 4-year terms based on recommendation from the senior chancellor of the chancery court district.

Permits public guardians to serve as conservators for incapacitated persons with assets below Medicaid eligibility levels and annual income under $4,000 (excluding public assistance), with a $30,000 annual income cap; public guardians must seek private successors when possible.

Authorizes public guardians to serve as guardians ad litem in chancery court cases and to initiate alcohol and drug commitment proceedings on behalf of indigent families without charging fees, except when court-approved reasonable fees may be collected from parties with sufficient assets.

Requires public guardians to file annual reports with the chancery court clerk detailing cases handled, dates assigned and terminated, case dispositions, and fees collected; effective July 1, 2010.