By: Zaffirini  S.B. No. 1624
         (In the Senate - Filed March 6, 2023; March 16, 2023, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Jurisprudence;
  April 6, 2023, rereferred to Committee on State Affairs;
  April 26, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
  Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 10, Nays 0; April 26, 2023,
  sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1624 By:  Hughes
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to guardianships, alternatives to guardianship, and
  supports and services for incapacitated persons.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1054.001, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1054.001.  APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM IN
  PROCEEDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN. In a proceeding under this
  title for the appointment of a guardian, the court shall appoint an
  attorney ad litem to represent the proposed ward's interests,
  including the proposed ward's expressed wishes.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1054.003, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1054.003.  ACCESS TO RECORDS. An attorney ad litem
  appointed under Section 1054.001 or an attorney retained by a ward
  or proposed ward under Section 1054.006 or 1202.103 shall be
  provided copies of all of the current records in the guardianship
  case. The attorney ad litem or retained attorney may have access to
  all of the proposed ward's relevant medical, psychological, and
  intellectual testing records.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1054.006, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1054.006.  REPRESENTATION OF WARD OR PROPOSED WARD BY
  ATTORNEY. (a) A ward or proposed ward [The following persons] may
  at any time retain an attorney who holds a certificate required by
  Subchapter E to represent the ward's or proposed ward's [person's]
  interests, including the ward's or proposed ward's expressed
  wishes, in a guardianship proceeding, including a proceeding
  involving the complete restoration of the ward's capacity or
  modification of the ward's guardianship, instead of having those
  interests represented by an attorney ad litem appointed under
  Section 1054.001, Section 1202.101, or another provision of this
  title[:
               [(1)  a ward who retains the power to enter into a
  contract under the terms of the guardianship, subject to Section
  1202.103; and
               [(2)  a proposed ward for purposes of a proceeding for
  the appointment of a guardian as long as the proposed ward has
  capacity to contract].
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (c), if a ward or proposed ward
  has retained an attorney under Subsection (a), [If] the court shall 
  [finds that the ward or the proposed ward has capacity to contract,
  the court may] remove an attorney ad litem appointed under Section
  1054.001, Section 1202.101, or any other provision of this title
  that requires the court to appoint an attorney ad litem to represent
  the interests of a ward or proposed ward and appoint a ward or a
  proposed ward's retained counsel.
         (c)  On the motion of a party to a guardianship proceeding,
  the court may hold a hearing on the ward's or proposed ward's
  capacity to retain an attorney under Subsection (a). The burden of
  proof is on the party motioning the court.  If the court finds by a
  preponderance of evidence that the ward or proposed ward does not
  understand the guardianship proceeding or the purpose for which the
  attorney was retained, the court may appoint an attorney ad litem
  under Section 1054.001, Section 1202.101, or another provision of
  this title.
         (d)  An attorney retained by a ward or proposed ward under
  this section must represent the ward's or proposed ward's
  interests, including the ward's or proposed ward's expressed
  wishes.
         SECTION 4.  Section 1054.007, Estates Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  An attorney ad litem appointed for a ward or proposed
  ward under this title shall represent the ward's or proposed ward's
  interests, including the ward's or proposed ward's expressed
  wishes.
         SECTION 5.  Section 1054.051, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1054.051.  APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM IN
  GUARDIANSHIP PROCEEDING. (a)  Subject to Subsection (b), the [The]
  judge may appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests of
  an incapacitated person in a guardianship proceeding.
         (b)  A person appointed as a guardian ad litem may not be:
               (1)  an interested person, as defined by Section
  1002.018(1); or
               (2)  an attorney ad litem appointed for the
  guardianship proceeding except as provided by Section 1054.052,
  1202.101, or 1203.051.
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1054, Estates Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1054.157 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1054.157.  REQUIRED TRAINING. At least once every two
  years, a court investigator and a court visitor shall complete two
  hours of training, including one hour of training on alternatives
  to guardianship and supports and services available to a proposed
  ward in accordance with Section 22.0133, Government Code.
         SECTION 7.  Section 1151.351(b), Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  Unless limited by a court or otherwise restricted by
  law, a ward is authorized to the following:
               (1)  to have a copy of the guardianship order and
  letters of guardianship and contact information for the probate
  court that issued the order and letters;
               (2)  to have a guardianship that encourages the
  development or maintenance of maximum self-reliance and
  independence in the ward with the eventual goal, if possible, of
  self-sufficiency;
               (3)  to be treated with respect, consideration, and
  recognition of the ward's dignity and individuality;
               (4)  to reside and receive support services in the most
  integrated setting, including home-based or other community-based
  settings, as required by Title II of the Americans with
  Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 12131 et seq.);
               (5)  to consideration of the ward's current and
  previously stated personal preferences, desires, medical and
  psychiatric treatment preferences, religious beliefs, living
  arrangements, and other preferences and opinions;
               (6)  to financial self-determination for all public
  benefits after essential living expenses and health needs are met
  and to have access to a monthly personal allowance;
               (7)  to receive timely and appropriate health care and
  medical treatment that does not violate the ward's rights granted
  by the constitution and laws of this state and the United States;
               (8)  to exercise full control of all aspects of life not
  specifically granted by the court to the guardian;
               (9)  to control the ward's personal environment based
  on the ward's preferences;
               (10)  to complain or raise concerns regarding the
  guardian or guardianship to the court, including living
  arrangements, retaliation by the guardian, conflicts of interest
  between the guardian and service providers, or a violation of any
  rights under this section;
               (11)  to receive notice in the ward's native language,
  or preferred mode of communication, and in a manner accessible to
  the ward, of a court proceeding to continue, modify, or terminate
  the guardianship and the opportunity to appear before the court to
  express the ward's preferences and concerns regarding whether the
  guardianship should be continued, modified, or terminated;
               (12)  to have a court investigator or guardian ad litem
  appointed by the court to investigate a complaint received by the
  court from the ward or any person about the guardianship;
               (13)  to participate in social, religious, and
  recreational activities, training, employment, education,
  habilitation, and rehabilitation of the ward's choice in the most
  integrated setting;
               (14)  to self-determination in the substantial
  maintenance, disposition, and management of real and personal
  property after essential living expenses and health needs are met,
  including the right to receive notice and object about the
  substantial maintenance, disposition, or management of clothing,
  furniture, vehicles, and other personal effects;
               (15)  to personal privacy and confidentiality in
  personal matters, subject to state and federal law;
               (16)  to unimpeded, private, and uncensored
  communication and visitation with persons of the ward's choice,
  except that if the guardian determines that certain communication
  or visitation causes substantial harm to the ward:
                     (A)  the guardian may limit, supervise, or
  restrict communication or visitation, but only to the extent
  necessary to protect the ward from substantial harm; and
                     (B)  the ward may request a hearing to remove any
  restrictions on communication or visitation imposed by the guardian
  under Paragraph (A);
               (17)  to petition the court and retain counsel of the
  ward's choice who holds a certificate required by Subchapter E,
  Chapter 1054, to represent the ward's interest for capacity
  restoration, modification of the guardianship, the appointment of a
  different guardian, or for other appropriate relief under this
  subchapter, including a transition to a supported decision-making
  agreement, except as limited by Section 1054.006;
               (18)  to vote in a public election, marry, and retain a
  license to operate a motor vehicle, unless restricted by the court;
               (19)  to personal visits from the guardian or the
  guardian's designee at least once every three months, but more
  often, if necessary, unless the court orders otherwise;
               (20)  to be informed of the name, address, phone
  number, and purpose of Disability Rights Texas, an organization
  whose mission is to protect the rights of, and advocate for, persons
  with disabilities, and to communicate and meet with representatives
  of that organization;
               (21)  to be informed of the name, address, phone
  number, and purpose of an independent living center, an area agency
  on aging, an aging and disability resource center, and the local
  mental health and intellectual and developmental disability
  center, and to communicate and meet with representatives from these
  agencies and organizations;
               (22)  to be informed of the name, address, phone
  number, and purpose of the Judicial Branch Certification Commission
  and the procedure for filing a complaint against a certified
  guardian;
               (23)  to contact the Department of Family and
  Protective Services to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, or
  violation of personal rights without fear of punishment,
  interference, coercion, or retaliation;
               (24)  to have the guardian, on appointment and on
  annual renewal of the guardianship, explain the rights delineated
  in this subsection in the ward's native language, or preferred mode
  of communication, and in a manner accessible to the ward; [and]
               (25)  to make decisions related to sexual assault
  crisis services, including consenting to a forensic medical
  examination and treatment, authorizing the collection of forensic
  evidence, consenting to the release of evidence contained in an
  evidence collection kit and disclosure of related confidential
  information, and receiving counseling and other support services;
  and 
               (26)  to have private communications with the ward's
  physicians or other medical professionals, unless the court, after
  a hearing requested by the ward's guardian, orders the private
  communications to be limited due to:
                     (A)  the risk of substantial harm to the ward; or
                     (B)  the communications being unduly burdensome
  to the physician or medical professional.
         SECTION 8.  Section 1163.101, Estates Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
  follows:
         (c)  The guardian of the person shall file a sworn affidavit
  that contains:
               (1)  the guardian's current name, address, and
  telephone number;
               (2)  the ward's date of birth and current name, address,
  telephone number, and age;
               (3)  a description of the type of home in which the ward
  resides, which shall be described as:
                     (A)  the ward's own home;
                     (B)  a nursing home;
                     (C)  a guardian's home;
                     (D)  a foster home;
                     (E)  a boarding home;
                     (F)  a relative's home, in which case the
  description must specify the relative's relationship to the ward;
                     (G)  a hospital or medical facility; or
                     (H)  another type of residence;
               (4)  statements indicating:
                     (A)  the length of time the ward has resided in the
  present home;
                     (B)  the reason for a change in the ward's
  residence, if a change in the ward's residence has occurred in the
  past year;
                     (C)  the date the guardian most recently saw the
  ward;
                     (D)  how frequently the guardian has seen the ward
  in the past year;
                     (E)  whether the guardian has possession or
  control of the ward's estate;
                     (F)  whether the ward's mental health has
  improved, deteriorated, or remained unchanged during the past year,
  including a description of the change if a change has occurred;
                     (G)  whether the ward's physical health has
  improved, deteriorated, or remained unchanged during the past year,
  including a description of the change if a change has occurred;
                     (H)  whether the ward has regular medical care;
  [and]
                     (I)  the ward's treatment or evaluation by any of
  the following persons during the past year, including the person's
  name and a description of the treatment:
                           (i)  a physician;
                           (ii)  a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other
  mental health care provider;
                           (iii)  a dentist;
                           (iv)  a social or other caseworker; or
                           (v)  any other individual who provided
  treatment; and 
                     (J)  supports and services the ward has received
  or is currently receiving, as described by Subsection (d);
               (5)  a description of the ward's activities during the
  past year, including recreational, educational, social, and
  occupational activities, or a statement that no activities were
  available or that the ward was unable or refused to participate in
  activities;
               (6)  the guardian's evaluation of:
                     (A)  the ward's living arrangements as excellent,
  average, or below average, including an explanation if the
  conditions are below average;
                     (B)  whether the ward is content or unhappy with
  the ward's living arrangements; and
                     (C)  unmet needs of the ward;
               (7)  a statement indicating whether the guardian's
  power should be increased, decreased, or unaltered, including an
  explanation if a change is recommended;
               (8)  a statement indicating that the guardian has paid
  the bond premium for the next reporting period;
               (9)  if the guardian is a private professional
  guardian, a guardianship program, or the Health and Human Services
  Commission, whether the guardian or an individual certified under
  Subchapter C, Chapter 155, Government Code, who is providing
  guardianship services to the ward and who is filing the affidavit on
  the guardian's behalf, is or has been the subject of an
  investigation conducted by the Judicial Branch Certification
  Commission during the preceding year; and
               (10)  any additional information the guardian desires
  to share with the court regarding the ward, including:
                     (A)  whether the guardian has filed for emergency
  detention of the ward under Subchapter A, Chapter 573, Health and
  Safety Code; and
                     (B)  if applicable, the number of times the
  guardian has filed for emergency detention and the dates of the
  applications for emergency detention.
         (d)  The statements in the sworn affidavit regarding the
  ward's supports and services under Subsection (c)(4)(J) must
  include:
               (1)  information regarding actions the guardian is
  taking to encourage the development of the ward's maximum
  self-reliance and independence;
               (2)  a list of all the supports and services the ward is
  currently receiving, including whether the ward:
                     (A)  has a representative payee;
                     (B)  receives services from a local mental health
  authority or local intellectual and developmental disability
  authority;
                     (C)  receives any supports and services under
  Medicaid, including under a Medicaid waiver program authorized
  under Section 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
  Section 1396n); and
                     (D)  receives any supports and services
  informally;
               (3)  where the ward receives the supports and services
  described by Subdivision (2);
               (4)  who provides the supports and services described
  by Subdivision (2);
               (5)  a list of the supports and services the ward
  previously received or attempted to receive and why the support or
  service was discontinued or not received; and
               (6)  the guardian's opinion on whether the ward has the
  capacity or sufficient capacity with supports and services for
  complete restoration of the ward's capacity or modification of the
  guardianship under Chapter 1202 or the reasons why the ward does not
  have the capacity or sufficient capacity with supports and services
  for complete restoration of the ward's capacity or modification of
  the guardianship under Chapter 1202.
         SECTION 9.  Section 1201.052, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1201.052.  ANNUAL DETERMINATION; HEARING. (a) To
  determine whether a guardianship should be continued, modified, or
  terminated, the court in which the guardianship proceeding is
  pending:
               (1)  shall review annually each guardianship in which
  the application to create the guardianship was filed after
  September 1, 1993; and
               (2)  may review annually any other guardianship.
         (b)  A court in which the guardianship proceeding is pending
  may conduct a hearing under this section.
         SECTION 10.  Section 1201.053, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1201.053.  METHOD OF DETERMINATION. (a) In reviewing a
  guardianship under Section 1201.052, a statutory probate court
  shall review any [may]:
               (1)  [review any] report prepared by:
                     (A)  a court investigator under Section 1054.153
  or 1202.054;
                     (B)  a guardian ad litem under Section 1202.054;
  or
                     (C)  a court visitor under Section 1054.104;
               (2)  [conduct a hearing; or
               [(3)  review an] annual account prepared under
  Subchapter A, Chapter 1163; and
               (3)  [, or a ] report prepared under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 1163.
         (a-1)  Unless a court orders that a report be completed more
  frequently, if a report described by Subsection (a)(1) is required
  under Section 1054.153 or 1054.104, the court investigator or court
  visitor, as appropriate, shall prepare an additional report
  described by Subsection (a)(1) every three years beginning on the
  date the original letters of guardianship are issued.
         (a-2)  Before preparing an additional report under
  Subsection (a-1), the court investigator or court visitor, as
  appropriate, shall:
               (1)  meet with the ward in person, using necessary and
  appropriate communication supports;
               (2)  present the bill of rights for wards under Section
  1151.351 to the ward in the ward's preferred language and manner of
  communication;
               (3)  document the ward's statement of guardianship, as
  described by Subsection (a-3); and
               (4)  document the supports and services currently
  available to the ward and whether the guardian's rights and powers
  can be limited because a less restrictive alternative to
  guardianship is appropriate.
         (a-3)  The ward's statement of guardianship:
               (1)  must include:
                     (A)  whether the ward desires a full restoration
  of the ward's capacity or modification of the ward's guardianship;
  and
                     (B)  any other information the ward wishes to
  share with the court; and
               (2)  may be in the form of:
                     (A)  a written statement made by the ward and
  filed with the court by the court investigator or court visitor
  preparing the report;
                     (B)  a verbal statement made to the court
  investigator or court visitor, as applicable, that is documented in
  writing and filed with the court by the person receiving the
  statement; or
                     (C)  a verbal or written statement made by the
  ward during a hearing either in person or remotely through other
  means.
         (b)  A court that is not a statutory probate court:
               (1)  shall review:
                     (A)  any account prepared under Subchapter A,
  Chapter 1163; and
                     (B)  any report prepared under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 1163 or Subsection (a-1); and
               (2)  may use any other method to review a guardianship
  under Section 1201.052 that is determined appropriate by the court
  according to the court's caseload and available resources.
         SECTION 11.  Section 1202.101, Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1202.101.  APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY AD LITEM. (a)
  Unless the ward retains an attorney under Section 1202.103, the
  [The] court shall appoint an attorney ad litem to represent a ward
  in a proceeding for the complete restoration of the ward's capacity
  or for the modification of the ward's guardianship. Unless
  otherwise provided by the court, the attorney ad litem shall
  represent the ward only for purposes of the restoration or
  modification proceeding. The attorney ad litem shall represent the
  ward's interests, including the ward's expressed wishes.
         (b)  The attorney ad litem has an attorney-client
  relationship with the ward the attorney ad litem is appointed to
  represent under this section.
         SECTION 12.  Section 1202.152, Estates Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsections (a-1),
  (a-2), and (a-3) to read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Section 1202.1521, the applicant must
  present to the court and the [The] court shall consider a written
  letter or certificate as evidence of capacity, or sufficient
  capacity with supports and services, at a hearing under Section
  1202.151 from:
               (1)  a physician licensed in this state, if the ward's
  incapacity resulted from a physical condition or mental condition;
  or
               (2)  a psychologist licensed in this state or certified
  by the Health and Human Services Commission to perform the
  examination, in accordance with rules adopted by the executive
  commissioner of the commission governing examinations of that kind,
  if the ward's incapacity resulted from a mental condition.
         (a-1)  The physician or psychologist who provides the letter
  or certificate under Subsection (a) must:
               (1)  have experience examining individuals with the
  physical or mental condition resulting in the ward's incapacity; or
               (2)  have an established patient-provider relationship
  with the ward.
         (a-2)  The letter or certificate required by Subsection (a)
  must be:
               (1)  signed by the physician or psychologist; and
               (2)  dated:
                     (A)  not earlier than the 120th day before the
  date the application was filed; or
                     (B)  after the date the application was filed but
  before the date of the hearing.
         (a-3)  The court may consider the following evidence of
  capacity, or sufficient capacity with supports and services, at a
  hearing under Section 1202.151:
               (1)  a statement from a representative of the local
  mental health authority or the local intellectual and developmental
  disability authority listing services received by the ward and the
  effectiveness of those services;
               (2)  medical records;
               (3)  affidavits of treating professionals regarding
  the effectiveness of supports and services the ward is receiving;
               (4)  documentation from a health care provider
  providing supports or services to the ward under Medicaid,
  including a Medicaid waiver program authorized under Section
  1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section
  1396n);
               (5)  an affidavit of the ward's employer or day
  habilitation program manager regarding the ward's ability to
  perform the necessary tasks;
               (6)  documentation from the United States Social
  Security Administration identifying the ward's representative
  payee; or
               (7)  any other evidence demonstrating the ward's
  capacity [may not grant an order completely restoring a ward's
  capacity or modifying a ward's guardianship under an application
  filed under Section 1202.051 unless the applicant presents to the
  court a written letter or certificate from a physician licensed in
  this state that is dated:
               [(1)  not earlier than the 120th day before the date the
  application was filed; or
               [(2)  after the date the application was filed but
  before the date of the hearing].
         (c)  If the court determines it is necessary, the court shall 
  [may] appoint a physician or psychologist to complete an
  examination of the ward. The physician or psychologist must be
  chosen by the ward, provided, however, that if the ward makes no
  choice, the ward's physician or psychologist of choice is not
  available, or additional information is needed or required after an
  examination by the ward's physician or psychologist of choice, the
  court may appoint the necessary physicians or psychologists to
  examine the ward. A physician appointed by the court must examine
  the ward in the same manner and to the same extent as a ward is
  examined by a physician under Section 1101.103 or 1101.104.
         SECTION 13.  Subchapter D, Chapter 1202, Estates Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1202.1521 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1202.1521.  PHYSICIAN'S LETTER OR CERTIFICATE:
  REQUIREMENT IF ALLEGED INCAPACITY BASED ON INTELLECTUAL
  DISABILITY. If an intellectual disability is the basis of a ward's
  alleged incapacity, the written letter or certificate presented
  under Section 1202.152(a), instead of containing the information
  required by Section 1202.152(b), must:
               (1)  state, in the physician's or psychologist's
  opinion, whether the ward has the capacity, or sufficient capacity
  with supports and services, to do any of the activities listed in
  Section 1202.152(b)(1);
               (2)  state how or in what manner the ward's ability to
  make or communicate reasonable decisions concerning himself or
  herself is affected by the ward's mental capacity; and
               (3)  include any other information required by the
  court.
         SECTION 14.  Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 22.0133 to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.0133.  JUDICIAL, COURT INVESTIGATOR, AND COURT
  VISITOR TRAINING RELATED TO GUARDIANSHIPS. The supreme court, in
  consultation with the Judicial Branch Certification Commission,
  shall ensure that at least one hour of training related to
  alternatives to guardianships and supports and services that are
  available to a proposed ward is provided to each judge with
  jurisdiction to hear a guardianship proceeding, each court
  investigator appointed under Section 1054.156, Estates Code, and
  each court visitor appointed under Section 1054.103, Estates Code,
  at least once every two years.
         SECTION 15.  Sections 1202.054(b-1) and (d), Estates Code,
  are repealed.
         SECTION 16.  (a) Except as otherwise provided by this
  section, the changes in law made by this Act apply to:
               (1)  a guardianship proceeding created before, on, or
  after the effective date of this Act; and
               (2)  an application for a guardianship pending on, or
  filed on or after, the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  The changes in law made by this Act to Section 1202.152,
  Estates Code, apply only to a proceeding for the complete
  restoration of capacity or modification of a guardianship commenced
  on or after the effective date of this Act. A proceeding described
  by this section commenced before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the proceeding was
  commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 17.  (a) Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas
  Supreme Court shall adopt the rules necessary to provide the
  training required under Section 22.0133, Government Code, as added
  by this Act.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 22.0133, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, a judge who is in office on the effective date of
  this Act or a court investigator or court visitor described by
  Section 22.0133, Government Code, as added by this Act, who is
  appointed on or before the effective date of this Act must complete
  the training required by Section 22.0133, Government Code, as added
  by this Act, not later than December 1, 2025.
         SECTION 18.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
  * * * * *