Bill Text: FL S1032 | 2022 | Regular Session | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Guardianships

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 2-1)

Status: (Failed) 2022-03-14 - Died in Rules [S1032 Detail]

Download: Florida-2022-S1032-Comm_Sub.html
       Florida Senate - 2022                      CS for CS for SB 1032
       
       
        
       By the Committees on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; and
       Judiciary; and Senator Burgess
       
       
       
       
       586-02810-22                                          20221032c2
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to guardianships; amending s. 744.306,
    3         F.S.; deleting provisions relating to foreign
    4         guardianship orders; amending s. 744.363, F.S.;
    5         authorizing a guardian to sign an order not to
    6         resuscitate in certain limited circumstances; amending
    7         s. 744.3675, F.S.; authorizing a guardian to sign an
    8         order not to resuscitate in certain limited
    9         circumstances; amending s. 744.441, F.S.; specifying a
   10         plenary guardian’s or limited guardian of a ward’s
   11         authority to sign an order not to resuscitate the
   12         ward; authorizing such guardians to sign orders not to
   13         resuscitate and consent to orders being entered on
   14         their wards’ charts under certain circumstances;
   15         requiring such guardians to file notice of such action
   16         with the court within a certain timeframe; creating
   17         part IX of ch. 744, Florida Statutes, entitled the
   18         “Florida Guardianship Jurisdiction Act”; creating s.
   19         744.74, F.S.; providing a short title; creating s.
   20         744.75, F.S.; providing legislative purpose and
   21         construction; creating s. 744.76, F.S.; defining
   22         terms; creating s. 744.77, F.S.; providing
   23         construction relating to international application;
   24         creating s. 744.78, F.S.; authorizing courts of this
   25         state to communicate with courts of another state
   26         relating to certain proceedings; requiring courts of
   27         this state to make a record of such communication;
   28         specifying communications that interested persons must
   29         be able to participate in; creating s. 744.79, F.S.;
   30         specifying actions that a court of this state may
   31         request from, and perform for, a court of another
   32         state in certain guardianship proceedings; creating s.
   33         744.80, F.S.; authorizing courts of this state to
   34         permit witness testimony by certain means; providing
   35         that certain evidence may be excluded after a judicial
   36         determination of admissibility; creating s. 744.81,
   37         F.S.; specifying factors a court must consider in
   38         determining whether a respondent has a significant
   39         connection with a particular state; creating s.
   40         744.82, F.S.; providing construction relating to the
   41         basis for jurisdiction; creating s. 744.83, F.S.;
   42         specifying circumstances when a court of this state
   43         has jurisdiction in certain guardianship proceedings;
   44         creating s. 744.84, F.S.; specifying the special
   45         jurisdiction of courts of this state; providing
   46         procedures relating to the appointment of an emergency
   47         temporary guardian under certain circumstances;
   48         creating s. 744.85, F.S.; providing that a court that
   49         has appointed a guardian has exclusive and continuing
   50         jurisdiction until certain conditions are met;
   51         creating s. 744.86, F.S.; authorizing a court of this
   52         state to decline to exercise its jurisdiction under
   53         certain circumstances; specifying requirements for
   54         such court; specifying factors a court must consider
   55         in determining whether it is an appropriate forum;
   56         creating s. 744.87, F.S.; authorizing a court to
   57         decline to exercise jurisdiction or to exercise
   58         jurisdiction for a limited purpose under certain
   59         circumstances; authorizing a court to assess certain
   60         expenses against certain persons; prohibiting the
   61         court from assessing certain fees, costs, or expenses
   62         against this state; creating s. 744.88, F.S.;
   63         providing notice requirements for certain petitions to
   64         appoint a guardian; creating s. 744.89, F.S.;
   65         providing procedures when certain proceedings are
   66         pending in more than one state; creating s. 744.90,
   67         F.S.; authorizing a guardian appointed in this state
   68         to petition to transfer the guardianship to another
   69         state; providing notice requirements; providing
   70         requirements and procedures for the court; specifying
   71         conditions before a court issues a final order
   72         confirming the transfer and terminating the
   73         guardianship; providing a requirement for the guardian
   74         in filing a petition for discharge; creating s.
   75         744.91, F.S.; specifying requirements and procedures
   76         for the transfer of a guardianship from another state;
   77         providing construction; creating s. 744.92, F.S.;
   78         providing a procedure for registering guardianship
   79         orders in this state under certain circumstances;
   80         creating s. 744.93, F.S.; providing construction
   81         relating to the effect of registering a guardianship
   82         order; creating s. 744.94, F.S.; providing
   83         construction relating to uniformity of law; creating
   84         s. 744.95, F.S.; providing construction relating to
   85         the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and
   86         National Commerce Act; providing applicability;
   87         providing an effective date.
   88          
   89  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   90  
   91         Section 1. Section 744.306, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   92  read:
   93         744.306 Authority of guardian to accept payment of debt
   94  owed to ward Foreign guardians.—
   95         (1)When the residence of a ward of a foreign guardian is
   96  moved to this state, the guardian shall, within 60 days after
   97  such change of residence, file the authenticated order of her or
   98  his appointment with the clerk of the court in the county where
   99  the ward resides. Such order shall be recognized and given full
  100  faith and credit in the courts of this state. The guardian and
  101  the ward are subject to this chapter.
  102         (2)A guardian appointed in any state, territory, or
  103  country may maintain or defend any action in this state as a
  104  representative of her or his ward.
  105         (1)(3)A debtor Debtors who has not have received a no
  106  written demand for payment from a guardian appointed in this
  107  state within 60 days after the appointment of a guardian,
  108  curator, conservator, or committee in any state, territory, or
  109  country other than this state, and whose property in this state
  110  is subject to a mortgage or other lien securing the debt held by
  111  the foreign guardian, curator, conservator, or committee, may
  112  pay the debt to the foreign guardian, curator, conservator, or
  113  committee after the expiration of 60 days from the date of her
  114  or his appointment. A satisfaction of the mortgage or lien,
  115  executed after the 60 days have expired by the foreign guardian,
  116  curator, conservator, or committee, with an authenticated copy
  117  of the letters or other evidence of authority of the foreign
  118  guardian, curator, conservator, or committee attached, may be
  119  recorded in the public records of this state and shall
  120  constitute an effective discharge of the mortgage or lien,
  121  irrespective of whether the debtor had received written demand
  122  before paying the debt.
  123         (2)(4)A person All persons indebted to a ward, or having
  124  possession of personal property belonging to a ward, who has not
  125  have received a no written demand for payment of the
  126  indebtedness or the delivery of the property from a guardian
  127  appointed in this state is are authorized to pay the
  128  indebtedness or to deliver the personal property to the foreign
  129  guardian, curator, conservator, or committee after the
  130  expiration of the 60 days from the date of her or his
  131  appointment.
  132         Section 2. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
  133  744.363, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  134         744.363 Initial guardianship plan.—
  135         (1) The initial guardianship plan shall include all of the
  136  following:
  137         (f) A list of any preexisting orders not to resuscitate
  138  executed under s. 401.45(3) or preexisting advance directives,
  139  as defined in s. 765.101, the date an order or directive was
  140  signed, whether such order or directive has been suspended by
  141  the court, and a description of the steps taken to identify and
  142  locate the preexisting order not to resuscitate or advance
  143  directive. If a preexisting order not to resuscitate is
  144  disclosed in a court-approved initial guardianship plan and has
  145  not been suspended by the court, a plenary guardian or a limited
  146  guardian of a ward may sign an order not to resuscitate as
  147  provided in s. 401.45(3) without prior court approval under s.
  148  744.441(2).
  149         Section 3. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section
  150  744.3675, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  151         744.3675 Annual guardianship plan.—Each guardian of the
  152  person must file with the court an annual guardianship plan
  153  which updates information about the condition of the ward. The
  154  annual plan must specify the current needs of the ward and how
  155  those needs are proposed to be met in the coming year.
  156         (1) Each plan for an adult ward must, if applicable,
  157  include:
  158         (d) A list of any preexisting orders not to resuscitate
  159  executed under s. 401.45(3) or preexisting advance directives,
  160  as defined in s. 765.101, the date an order or directive was
  161  signed, whether such order or directive has been suspended by
  162  the court, and a description of the steps taken to identify and
  163  locate the preexisting order not to resuscitate or advance
  164  directive. If a preexisting order not to resuscitate is
  165  disclosed in a court-approved annual guardianship plan and has
  166  not been suspended by the court, a plenary guardian or a limited
  167  guardian of a ward may sign an order not to resuscitate as
  168  provided in s. 401.45(3) without prior court approval under s.
  169  744.441(2).
  170         Section 4. Subsection (2) of section 744.441, Florida
  171  Statutes, is amended to read:
  172         744.441 Powers of guardian upon court approval.—After
  173  obtaining approval of the court pursuant to a petition for
  174  authorization to act:
  175         (2)(a) A plenary guardian or a limited guardian of a ward
  176  may sign an order not to resuscitate as provided in s. 401.45(3)
  177  for a ward who does not have such an order in effect. When
  178  seeking a plenary guardian or a limited guardian of a ward seeks
  179  to obtain approval of the court to sign an order not to
  180  resuscitate, if required by exigent circumstances, the court
  181  must hold a preliminary hearing within 72 hours after the
  182  petition is filed, and:
  183         1.(a) Rule on the relief requested immediately after the
  184  preliminary hearing; or
  185         2.(b) Conduct an evidentiary hearing not later than 4 days
  186  after the preliminary hearing and rule on the relief requested
  187  immediately after the evidentiary hearing.
  188         (b)1.Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the ward is
  189  hospitalized and exigent circumstances exist which do not allow
  190  time for the guardian to seek court approval under paragraph
  191  (a), without prior court approval, the guardian may sign an
  192  order not to resuscitate on behalf of the ward and consent to
  193  the order being entered in the ward’s chart by a physician,
  194  provided the hospital ethics committee has met and agrees with
  195  the entry of an order not to resuscitate.
  196         2. As soon as reasonable, and not more than 72 hours after
  197  signing an order not to resuscitate and consenting to the order
  198  being entered in the ward’s chart, the guardian must file notice
  199  of such action with the court along with documentation
  200  supporting the decision.
  201         Section 5. Part IX of chapter 744, Florida Statutes,
  202  consisting of ss. 744.74-744.95, Florida Statutes, is created
  203  and entitled the “Florida Guardianship Jurisdiction Act.”
  204         Section 6. Section 744.74, Florida Statutes, is created to
  205  read:
  206         744.74Short title.—Sections 744.74-744.95 may be cited as
  207  the “Florida Guardianship Jurisdiction Act.”
  208         Section 7. Section 744.75, Florida Statutes, is created to
  209  read:
  210         744.75Purpose; construction.—The purpose of this part is
  211  to provide clear direction to the courts, attorneys, guardians,
  212  and individuals about the proper jurisdiction for guardianship
  213  proceedings. This part is intended to supplement, but not
  214  replace, other parts of this chapter which provide procedures
  215  for determining incapacity, appointing guardians, managing
  216  estates, and other procedures as governed by this chapter. The
  217  general purposes of this part are to:
  218         (1)Avoid jurisdictional competition and conflict with
  219  courts of other states in matters of guardianship.
  220         (2)Establish procedures for transferring guardianship from
  221  one state to another state when an adult ward moves.
  222         (3)Avoid relitigating the guardianship decisions of other
  223  states in this state.
  224         (4)Discourage the use of the interstate system for
  225  continuing controversies over guardianship.
  226         (5)Provide a uniform national system for registration and
  227  enforcement of out-of-state orders appointing a guardian.
  228         Section 8. Section 744.76, Florida Statutes, is created to
  229  read:
  230         744.76Definitions.—As used in this part, the term:
  231         (1)“Home state” means the state in which the respondent
  232  was physically present, including any period of temporary
  233  absence, for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before
  234  the filing of a petition for incapacity, guardianship, or
  235  similar petition. If no such state exists, then the home state
  236  is the state in which the respondent was physically present,
  237  including any period of temporary absence, for at least 6
  238  consecutive months ending within the 6 months immediately before
  239  the filing of the petition.
  240         (2)“Respondent” means an adult who is an alleged
  241  incapacitated person or ward.
  242         (3)“Significant-connection state” means a state, other
  243  than the home state, with which a respondent has a significant
  244  connection other than mere physical presence, and in which
  245  substantial evidence concerning the respondent is available.
  246         (4)“State” means a state of the United States, the
  247  District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
  248  Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or any territory
  249  or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United
  250  States.
  251         Section 9. Section 744.77, Florida Statutes, is created to
  252  read:
  253         744.77International application of part.—A court of this
  254  state may treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the
  255  United States for purposes of applying this part.
  256         Section 10. Section 744.78, Florida Statutes, is created to
  257  read:
  258         744.78Communication between courts.—
  259         (1)A court of this state may communicate with a court of
  260  another state concerning a proceeding arising under this
  261  chapter; however, the court of this state shall make a record of
  262  the communication.
  263         (2)Communications between courts may not occur without the
  264  ability of interested persons to also participate in the
  265  communication, either in person or by other means of
  266  participation. Interested persons need not be a party to the
  267  internal communications between the clerks of the various
  268  courts.
  269         Section 11. Section 744.79, Florida Statutes, is created to
  270  read:
  271         744.79Cooperation between courts.—
  272         (1)In a guardianship proceeding in this state, a court of
  273  this state may request the appropriate court of another state to
  274  do any of the following:
  275         (a)Hold a hearing.
  276         (b)Order a person in that state to produce evidence or
  277  given testimony pursuant to procedures of that state.
  278         (c)Order that an evaluation or assessment be made of the
  279  respondent.
  280         (d)Order any appropriate investigation of a person
  281  involved in a proceeding.
  282         (e)Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of
  283  the transcript or other records of a hearing under paragraph (a)
  284  or any other proceeding, any evidence otherwise produced under
  285  paragraph (b), and any evaluation or assessment prepared in
  286  compliance with an order under paragraph (c) or paragraph (d).
  287         (f)Issue any order necessary to assure the appearance in
  288  the proceeding of a person whose presence is necessary for the
  289  court to make a determination, including the respondent.
  290         (g)Issue an order authorizing the release of medical,
  291  financial, criminal, or other relevant information in that
  292  state, including protected health information as defined in 45
  293  C.F.R. s. 160.103.
  294         (2)If a court of another state in which a guardianship
  295  proceeding is pending requests the kind of assistance described
  296  in subsection (1), a court of this state has jurisdiction for
  297  the limited purpose of granting the request or making reasonable
  298  efforts to comply with the request.
  299         Section 12. Section 744.80, Florida Statutes, is created to
  300  read:
  301         744.80Taking testimony in another state.—
  302         (1)In a guardianship proceeding, upon agreement of all the
  303  parties, a court of this state may permit a witness located in
  304  another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone,
  305  audiovisual, or other electronic means.
  306         (2)Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to
  307  a court of this state by technological means which does not
  308  produce an original writing may be excluded from evidence after
  309  a judicial determination of admissibility.
  310         Section 13. Section 744.81, Florida Statutes, is created to
  311  read:
  312         744.81Significant-connection factors.—In determining
  313  whether a respondent has a significant connection with a
  314  particular state, the court shall consider the following:
  315         (1)The location of the respondent’s family and other
  316  persons required to be notified of the guardianship proceeding.
  317         (2)The length of time that the respondent was physically
  318  present in the state at any point in time and the duration of
  319  any absence.
  320         (3)The location of the respondent’s property.
  321         (4)The extent to which the respondent has ties to the
  322  state, such as voting registration, state or local tax return
  323  filing, vehicle registration, driver license, social
  324  relationships, and receipt of services.
  325         Section 14. Section 744.82, Florida Statutes, is created to
  326  read:
  327         744.82Exclusive basis for jurisdiction.—This part provides
  328  the exclusive jurisdictional basis for a court of this state to
  329  appoint a guardian for an adult. If the courts of this state
  330  have jurisdiction, the appropriate venue shall be determined as
  331  provided in s. 744.1097.
  332         Section 15. Section 744.83, Florida Statutes, is created to
  333  read:
  334         744.83Jurisdiction.—A court of this state has jurisdiction
  335  to determine incapacity, appoint a guardian, or undertake
  336  similar proceedings if any of the following applies:
  337         (1)This state is the respondent’s home state.
  338         (2)On the date a petition is filed, this state is a
  339  significant-connection state and:
  340         (a)The respondent does not have a home state, or a court
  341  of the respondent’s home state has declined to exercise
  342  jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum; or
  343         (b)The respondent has a home state but a petition for an
  344  appointment or order is not pending in a court of that state or
  345  another significant-connection state, and before the court of
  346  this state makes the appointment or issues an order:
  347         1.A petition to determine incapacity, appoint a guardian,
  348  or other similar proceeding is not filed in the respondent’s
  349  home state;
  350         2.An objection to the jurisdiction of the court of this
  351  state is not filed by a person required to be notified of the
  352  proceeding; and
  353         3.The court of this state concludes that it is the
  354  appropriate forum after considering the factors set forth in s.
  355  744.86.
  356         (3)This state does not have jurisdiction under subsection
  357  (1) or subsection (2), the respondent’s home state and all
  358  significant-connection states have declined to exercise
  359  jurisdiction because this state is the more appropriate forum,
  360  and jurisdiction in this state is consistent with the State
  361  Constitution and the United States Constitution.
  362         (4)The requirements for special jurisdiction under s.
  363  744.84 are met.
  364         Section 16. Section 744.84, Florida Statutes, is created to
  365  read:
  366         744.84Special jurisdiction.—
  367         (1)A court of this state has jurisdiction to do the
  368  following:
  369         (a)In accordance with this chapter, appoint an emergency
  370  temporary guardian pursuant to s. 744.3031 for a person who is
  371  physically present in this state.
  372         (b)Appoint a guardian for a ward for whom a provisional
  373  order to transfer the proceeding from another state has been
  374  issued.
  375         (2)If a petition for the appointment of an emergency
  376  temporary guardian is brought in this state and this state is
  377  not the respondent’s home state on the date that the petition is
  378  filed, the court must dismiss the proceeding at the request of
  379  the court of the home state, if any such request is made, only
  380  after a hearing and judicial determination of the appropriate
  381  forum of the alleged incapacitated person based on those factors
  382  as set forth in s. 744.86, whether by the home state or this
  383  state. If, after the hearing, the home state and this state
  384  differ in their determination of which is the appropriate forum,
  385  the determination of the home state shall prevail, whether
  386  dismissal is requested before or after the emergency
  387  appointment.
  388         Section 17. Section 744.85, Florida Statutes, is created to
  389  read:
  390         744.85Exclusive and continuing jurisdiction.—Except as
  391  otherwise provided in s. 744.84, a court that has appointed a
  392  guardian consistent with this part has exclusive and continuing
  393  jurisdiction over the proceeding only until a determination is
  394  made as to the proper jurisdiction of the action, the
  395  jurisdiction is terminated by the court, or the appointment or
  396  order expires by its own terms.
  397         Section 18. Section 744.86, Florida Statutes, is created to
  398  read:
  399         744.86Appropriate forum.—
  400         (1)A court of this state having jurisdiction to appoint a
  401  guardian may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it
  402  determines at any time that a court of another state is a more
  403  appropriate forum.
  404         (2)If a court of this state declines to exercise its
  405  jurisdiction under subsection (1), it must dismiss or stay the
  406  proceeding. The court may impose any condition that the court
  407  considers just and proper, including requiring that a petition
  408  for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of similar
  409  petition be filed promptly in another state.
  410         (3)In determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the
  411  court shall consider all relevant factors, including:
  412         (a)Any expressed preference of the respondent.
  413         (b)Whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the
  414  respondent has occurred or is likely to occur, and which state
  415  could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect, or
  416  exploitation.
  417         (c)The length of time the respondent was physically
  418  present in or was a legal resident of this or another state.
  419         (d)The distance of the respondent from the court in each
  420  state.
  421         (e)The financial circumstances of the respondent’s estate.
  422         (f)The nature and location of the evidence.
  423         (g)The ability of the court in each state to decide the
  424  issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present
  425  evidence.
  426         (h)The familiarity of the court of each state with the
  427  facts and issues in the proceeding.
  428         (i)If an appointment was made, the court’s ability to
  429  monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.
  430         Section 19. Section 744.87, Florida Statutes, is created to
  431  read:
  432         744.87Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.—
  433         (1)If at any time a court of this state determines that it
  434  acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian because a person
  435  seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in bad faith or
  436  unlawful conduct, the court may:
  437         (a)Decline to exercise jurisdiction; or
  438         (b)Exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of
  439  fashioning an appropriate remedy to ensure the health, safety,
  440  and welfare of the respondent or protecting the respondent’s
  441  property, or both, including staying the proceeding until a
  442  petition for the appointment of a guardian is filed in a court
  443  of another state having jurisdiction.
  444         (2)If a court of this state determines that it acquired
  445  jurisdiction to appoint a guardian because a person seeking to
  446  invoke its jurisdiction engaged in bad faith or unlawful
  447  conduct, it may assess that person necessary and reasonable
  448  expenses, including attorney fees, investigative fees, court
  449  costs, communication expenses, witness fees and expenses, and
  450  travel expenses. The court may not assess fees, costs, or
  451  expenses of any kind against this state or a governmental
  452  subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state unless
  453  otherwise expressly authorized by law.
  454         Section 20. Section 744.88, Florida Statutes, is created to
  455  read:
  456         744.88Notice of proceeding.—If a petition for the
  457  appointment of a guardian is brought in this state and this
  458  state is not the respondent’s home state on the date that the
  459  petition was filed, the petitioner must provide notice of the
  460  petition to those persons who would be entitled to notice of the
  461  petition in this state and in the respondent’s home state.
  462         Section 21. Section 744.89, Florida Statutes, is created to
  463  read:
  464         744.89Proceedings in more than one state.—Except for a
  465  petition for the appointment of an emergency temporary guardian,
  466  if a petition for the appointment of a guardian is filed in this
  467  state and in another state and neither petition has been
  468  dismissed or withdrawn, the following rules apply:
  469         (1)If the court of this state has jurisdiction under this
  470  chapter, it may proceed with the case unless a court of another
  471  state acquires jurisdiction before the appointment of the
  472  guardian or issuance of the order.
  473         (2)If the court of this state does not have jurisdiction
  474  under this chapter after a hearing and judicial determination of
  475  same, whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time
  476  before the appointment of a guardian or issuance of an order,
  477  the court must stay the proceeding and communicate with the
  478  court of the other state. If the court of the other state has
  479  jurisdiction after a hearing and judicial determination of same,
  480  the court of this state must dismiss the petition unless the
  481  court of the other state determines that the court of this state
  482  is a more appropriate forum.
  483         Section 22. Section 744.90, Florida Statutes, is created to
  484  read:
  485         744.90Transfer of guardianship to another state.—
  486         (1)A guardian appointed in this state may petition the
  487  court to transfer the guardianship to another state as provided
  488  in s. 744.1098(1).
  489         (2)Notice of a petition under subsection (1) must be given
  490  to the ward and all of the next of kin of the ward.
  491         (3)On the court’s own motion or upon request of the
  492  guardian, the ward, or both, the court shall hold a hearing on a
  493  petition filed under subsection (1).
  494         (4)The court may issue an order provisionally granting a
  495  petition to transfer a guardianship and shall direct the
  496  guardian to petition for guardianship in the other state if the
  497  court is satisfied that the guardianship will likely be accepted
  498  by the court of the other state and the court finds that:
  499         (a)The ward is physically present in or is reasonably
  500  expected to move permanently to the other state;
  501         (b)An objection to the transfer has not been made or, if
  502  an objection has been made, the objector has not established
  503  that the transfer would be contrary to the best interests of the
  504  ward; and
  505         (c)Plans for care and services for the ward in the other
  506  state are reasonable and sufficient.
  507         (5)The court shall issue a final order confirming the
  508  transfer and terminating the guardianship upon its receipt of:
  509         (a)A provisional order accepting the proceeding from the
  510  court to which the proceeding is to be transferred and issued
  511  under provisions similar to s. 744.89; and
  512         (b)The documents required, including any required
  513  accountings, to terminate a guardianship in this state.
  514         (6)The guardian of the ward in this state shall file a
  515  petition for discharge in accordance with part VII of this
  516  chapter within 60 days after receipt of an order confirming the
  517  transfer of the guardianship to another jurisdiction.
  518         Section 23. Section 744.91, Florida Statutes, is created to
  519  read:
  520         744.91Accepting guardianship transferred from another
  521  state.—
  522         (1)Within 60 days after the residence of a ward of a
  523  foreign guardian is moved to this state, the foreign guardian
  524  appointed in another state shall file a petition to determine
  525  incapacity and a petition to appoint a guardian with the clerk
  526  of court in the county in which the ward resides. The petitions
  527  must include a certified copy of the other state’s provisional
  528  order of transfer, in addition to a certified copy of the
  529  guardian’s letters of guardianship or the equivalent.
  530         (2)Notice of the petitions under subsection (1) must be
  531  given to those persons who would be entitled to notice in this
  532  state in the same manner as notice is required to be given in
  533  this state and the respondent’s home state.
  534         (3)The court shall hold a hearing on the petitions filed
  535  pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter.
  536         (4)The court shall issue orders provisionally granting the
  537  petitions unless:
  538         (a)An objection is made and the objector establishes that
  539  transfer of the proceeding would be contrary to the best
  540  interests of the ward; or
  541         (b)The guardian is ineligible for appointment in this
  542  state.
  543         (5)Until such time as a guardian is appointed in this
  544  state for the ward or the ward is determined to not require a
  545  guardian in this state, the foreign guardian’s authority is
  546  recognized and given full faith and credit in the courts of this
  547  state, provided that the guardian is qualified to serve as the
  548  guardian of the ward in this state. A foreign guardian who fails
  549  to comply with the requirements of this section has no authority
  550  to act on behalf of the ward in this state.
  551         (6)After appointment of a guardian in this state, the
  552  court may issue such orders as necessary to complete the
  553  transfer of the foreign guardianship to this state or the
  554  termination of the foreign guardianship, as may be required.
  555         (7)The authority of the guardian of a nonresident ward
  556  shall be recognized and given full faith and credit in the
  557  courts of this state. A guardian appointed in another state or
  558  country may maintain or defend any action in this state as a
  559  representative of the ward unless a guardian has been appointed
  560  in this state.
  561         Section 24. Section 744.92, Florida Statutes, is created to
  562  read:
  563         744.92Registration of guardianship orders.—If a guardian
  564  has been appointed in another state and a petition for the
  565  appointment of a guardianship is not pending in this state, the
  566  guardian appointed in the other state, after giving notice of
  567  the appointment to the appointing court of the intent to
  568  register, may register the guardianship order in this state by
  569  filing it as a foreign judgment in a court of this state
  570  pursuant to ss. 744.307 and 744.308.
  571         Section 25. Section 744.93, Florida Statutes, is created to
  572  read:
  573         744.93Effect of registration.—Upon registration of an
  574  order from another state appointing a guardian, the guardian or
  575  conservator may exercise in this state all powers authorized in
  576  the order of appointment except as prohibited under the laws of
  577  this state and, if the guardian is not a resident of this state,
  578  subject to any conditions imposed upon nonresident parties.
  579         Section 26. Section 744.94, Florida Statutes, is created to
  580  read:
  581         744.94Uniformity of application and construction.—In
  582  applying and construing this part, consideration must be given
  583  to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its
  584  subject matter among states that enact it.
  585         Section 27. Section 744.95, Florida Statutes, is created to
  586  read:
  587         744.95Relation to federal Electronic Signatures in Global
  588  and National Commerce Act.—This part modifies, limits, and
  589  supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and
  590  National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. s. 7001 et seq., but does not
  591  modify, limit, or supersede s. 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. s.
  592  7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices
  593  described in s. 103(b) of that act, 15 U.S.C. s. 7003(b).
  594         Section 28. This act applies to new and existing
  595  guardianship proceedings on or after July 1, 2022.
  596         Section 29. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

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