Bill Text: MI SB0253 | 2023-2024 | 102nd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Probate: guardians and conservators; duties; modify. Amends secs. 5106, 5304, 5305, 5308, 5314 & 5418 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.5106 et seq.).
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-04-11 - Referred To Committee On Civil Rights, Judiciary, And Public Safety [SB0253 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2023-SB0253-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL NO. 253
A bill to amend 1998 PA 386, entitled
"Estates and protected individuals code,"
by amending sections 5106, 5304, 5305, 5308, 5314, and 5418 (MCL 700.5106, 700.5304, 700.5305, 700.5308, 700.5314, and 700.5418), section 5106 as amended by 2017 PA 136, section 5305 as amended by 2017 PA 155, section 5308 as amended by 2005 PA 204, section 5314 as amended by 2018 PA 594, and section 5418 as amended by 2000 PA 312.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 5106. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the court may appoint or approve a professional guardian or professional conservator, as appropriate, as a guardian or conservator under this act, or as a plenary guardian or partial guardian as those terms are defined in section 600 of the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1600.
(2) The court shall only appoint a professional guardian or professional conservator as authorized under subsection (1) if the court finds on the record all of the following:
(a) The appointment of the professional guardian or professional conservator is in the ward's, developmentally disabled individual's, incapacitated individual's, or protected individual's best interests.
(b) There is no other person that is competent, suitable, and willing to serve in that fiduciary capacity in accordance with section 5212, 5313, or 5409.
(3) The court shall not appoint a professional guardian or professional conservator as authorized under subsection (1) unless the both of the following conditions are met, as applicable:
(a) The professional guardian or professional conservator files a bond in an amount and with the conditions as determined by the court. For a professional conservator, the sureties and liabilities of the bond are subject to sections 5410 and 5411.
(b) For a professional guardian, the professional guardian will serve as professional guardian for not more than 200 legally incapacitated individuals.
(4) A professional guardian or professional conservator appointed under this section shall not receive as a result of that appointment a benefit beyond compensation specifically authorized for that type of fiduciary by this act or the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1001 to 330.2106. This subsection does not prevent a person from providing compensation or other benefits, from a source other than the estate of the ward, developmentally disabled individual, incapacitated individual, or protected individual, to a professional guardian or professional conservator appointed or approved under this section. If a professional guardian or professional conservator appointed or approved under this section receives or is to receive compensation or other benefits as a result of that appointment from a person other than this state, a political subdivision of this state, or a trust created under section 5407(2), the professional guardian or professional conservator shall file with the appointing or approving court a written statement of the compensation or other benefit received or to be received, including the source of the compensation or other benefit, in a form and in a manner prescribed by the Michigan court rules. The professional guardian or professional conservator shall serve a copy of the form described in this subsection to the ward, developmentally disabled individual, incapacitated individual, or protected individual and to interested persons.
(5) A professional guardian appointed under this section shall establish and maintain a schedule of visitation so that an individual associated with the professional guardian who is responsible for the ward's care visits visit the ward within 3 months after the professional guardian's appointment and not less than once within 3 months after each previous visit.
(6) A professional guardian appointed under this section shall ensure that there are a sufficient number of employees assigned to the care of wards for the purpose of performing the necessary duties associated with ensuring that proper and appropriate care is provided.
(7) For the purposes of the statutory authorization required by section 1105(2)(e) of the banking code of 1999, 1999 PA 276, MCL 487.11105, to act as a fiduciary in this state, if the court appoints a for-profit or nonprofit, nonbanking corporation organized under the laws of this state to serve in a fiduciary capacity that is listed in subsection (1), the nonbanking corporation is authorized to act in that fiduciary capacity. The authorization under this subsection confers the fiduciary capacity only to the extent necessary in the particular matter of each appointment and is not a general grant of fiduciary authority. A nonbanking corporation is not authorized to act in any other fiduciary capacity.
Sec. 5304. (1) If necessary, the The court may shall order that an individual alleged to be incapacitated be examined by a physician or mental health professional appointed by the court who shall submit a report in writing to the court at least 5 days before the hearing set under section 5303. A report prepared as provided in this subsection shall must not be made a part of the proceeding's public record, but shall must be available to the court or an appellate court in which the proceeding is subject to review, to the alleged incapacitated individual, to the petitioner, to their respective legal counsels, and to other persons as the court directs. The report may be used as provided in the Michigan rules of evidence.
(2) The alleged incapacitated individual has the right to secure an independent evaluation, at his or her own expense or, if indigent, at the expense of the state. Compensation for an independent evaluation at public expense shall must be in an amount that, based upon on time and expense, the court approves as reasonable.
(3) A report prepared under this section shall must contain all of the following:
(a) A detailed description of the individual's physical or psychological infirmities.
(b) An explanation of how and to what extent each infirmity interferes with the individual's ability to receive or evaluate information in making decisions.
(c) A listing of all medications the individual is receiving, the dosage of each medication, and a description of the effects each medication has upon on the individual's behavior.
(d) A prognosis for improvement in the individual's condition and a recommendation for the most appropriate rehabilitation plan.
(e) The signatures of all individuals who performed the evaluations upon on which the report is based.
(4) The individual alleged to be incapacitated is entitled to must be present at the hearing in person, and to see or hear all evidence bearing upon on the individual's condition. If the individual wishes to be present at the hearing, all All practical steps shall must be taken to ensure his or her presence, including, if necessary, moving the hearing site.
(5) The individual is entitled to be represented by legal counsel, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses, including the court-appointed physician or mental health professional and the visitor, and to trial by jury.
(6) The issue of incapacity may be determined at a closed hearing without a jury if requested by the individual alleged to be incapacitated or that individual's legal counsel.
Sec. 5305. (1) The duties of a guardian ad litem appointed for an individual alleged to be incapacitated include all of the following:
(a) Personally visiting the individual.
(b) Explaining to the individual the nature, purpose, and legal effects of a guardian's appointment.
(c) Explaining to the individual the hearing procedure and the individual's rights in the hearing procedure, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) The right to contest the petition.
(ii) The right to request limits on the guardian's powers, including a limitation on the guardian's power to execute on behalf of the ward either of the following:
(A) A do-not-resuscitate order.
(B) A physician orders for scope of treatment form.
(iii) The right to object to a particular person being appointed guardian.
(iv) The right to be present at the hearing.
(v) The right to be represented by legal counsel.
(vi) The right to have legal counsel appointed for the individual if he or she is unable to afford legal counsel.
(d) Informing the individual that if a guardian is appointed, the guardian may have the power to execute a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of the individual and, if meaningful communication is possible, discern if the individual objects to having a do-not-resuscitate order executed on his or her behalf.
(e) Informing the individual that if a guardian is appointed, the guardian may have the power to execute a physician orders for scope of treatment form on behalf of the individual and, if meaningful communication is possible, discern if the individual objects to having a physician orders for scope of treatment form executed on his or her behalf.
(f) Informing the individual of the name of each person known to be seeking appointment as guardian.
(g) Asking the individual and the petitioner about the amount of cash and property readily convertible into cash that is in the individual's estate.
(h) Making determinations, and informing the court of those determinations, on all of the following:
(i) Whether there are 1 or more appropriate alternatives to the appointment of a full guardian or whether 1 or more actions should be taken in addition to the appointment of a guardian. Before informing the court of his or her determination under this subparagraph, the guardian ad litem shall consider the appropriateness of at least each of the following as alternatives or additional actions:
(A) Appointment of a limited guardian, including the specific powers and limitation on those powers the guardian ad litem believes appropriate.
(B) Appointment of a conservator or another protective order under part 4 of this article. In the report informing the court of the determinations under this subdivision, the guardian ad litem shall include an estimate of the amount of cash and property readily convertible into cash that is in the individual's estate.
(C) Execution of a patient advocate designation, do-not-resuscitate order, physician orders for scope of treatment form, or durable power of attorney with or without limitations on purpose, authority, or duration.
(ii) Whether a disagreement or dispute related to the guardianship petition might be resolved through court ordered mediation.
(iii) Whether the individual wishes to be present at the hearing.
(iii) (iv) Whether the individual wishes to contest the petition.
(iv) (v) Whether the individual wishes limits placed on the guardian's powers.
(v) (vi) Whether the individual objects to having a do-not-resuscitate order executed on his or her behalf.
(vi) (vii) Whether the individual objects to having a physician orders for scope of treatment form executed on his or her behalf.
(vii) (viii) Whether the individual objects to a particular person being appointed guardian.
(2) The court shall not order compensation of the guardian ad litem unless the guardian ad litem states on the record or in the guardian ad litem's written report that he or she has complied with subsection (1).
(3) If the individual alleged to be incapacitated wishes to contest the petition, to have limits placed on the guardian's powers, or to object to a particular person being appointed guardian and if legal counsel has not been secured, the court shall appoint legal counsel to represent the individual alleged to be incapacitated. If the individual alleged to be incapacitated is indigent, this state shall bear the expense of legal counsel.
(4) If the individual alleged to be incapacitated requests legal counsel or the guardian ad litem determines it is in the individual's best interest to have legal counsel, and if legal counsel has not been secured, the court shall appoint legal counsel. If the individual alleged to be incapacitated is indigent, this state shall bear the expense of legal counsel.
(5) If the individual alleged to be incapacitated has legal counsel appointed under subsection (3) or (4), the appointment of a guardian ad litem terminates.
Sec. 5308. (1) The Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a guardian's authority and responsibility for a legally incapacitated individual terminates upon on the death of the guardian or ward, upon on the determination of incapacity of the guardian, or upon on removal or resignation as provided in section 5310. Testamentary appointment of a guardian under an unprobated will or a will informally probated under article III terminates if the will is later denied probate in a formal testacy proceeding.
(2) Within 24 hours after the death of a ward, the guardian shall notify the ward's heirs of the ward's death. After the death of a ward, if the guardian knows or becomes aware of the funeral arrangements of the decedent, the guardian shall notify the decedent's heirs about the funeral arrangements within 24 hours after the guardian knows or becomes aware of the funeral arrangements. A notice under this subsection may be written or oral.
Sec. 5314. If meaningful communication is possible, a legally incapacitated individual's guardian shall consult with the legally incapacitated individual before making a major decision affecting the legally incapacitated individual. To the extent a guardian of a legally incapacitated individual is granted powers by the court under section 5306, the guardian is responsible for the ward's care, custody, and control, but is not liable to third persons because of that responsibility for the ward's acts. In particular and without qualifying the previous sentences, a guardian has all of the following powers and duties, to the extent granted by court order:
(a) The custody of the person of the ward and the power to establish the ward's place of residence in or outside this state. The guardian shall visit the ward within 3 months after the guardian's appointment and not less than once within 3 months after each previous visit. The guardian shall notify the court within 14 days of a change in the ward's place of residence or a change in the guardian's place of residence.
(b) If entitled to custody of the ward, the duty to make provision for the ward's care, comfort, and maintenance and, when appropriate, arrange for the ward's training and education. The guardian shall secure services to restore the ward to the best possible state of mental and physical well-being so that the ward can return to self-management at the earliest possible time. Without regard to custodial rights of the ward's person, the guardian shall take reasonable care of the ward's clothing, furniture, vehicles, and other personal effects and commence a protective proceeding if the ward's other property needs protection. If a guardian commences a protective proceeding because the guardian believes that it is in the ward's best interest to sell or otherwise dispose of the ward's real property or interest in real property, the court may appoint the guardian as special conservator and authorize the special conservator to proceed under section 5423(3). A guardian shall not otherwise sell the ward's real property or interest in real property.
(c) The power to give the consent or approval that is necessary to enable the ward to receive medical, mental health, or other professional care, counsel, treatment, or service. However, a guardian does not have and shall not exercise the power to give the consent to or approval for inpatient hospitalization unless the court expressly grants the power in its order. If the ward objects or actively refuses mental health treatment, the guardian or any other interested person must follow the procedures provided in chapter 4 of the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1400 to 330.1490, to petition the court for an order to provide involuntary mental health treatment. The power of a guardian to execute a do-not-resuscitate order under subdivision (d), execute a nonopioid directive form under subdivision (f), or execute a physician orders for scope of treatment form under subdivision (g) does not affect or limit the power of a guardian to consent to a physician's order to withhold resuscitative measures in a hospital. As used in this subdivision, "involuntary mental health treatment" means that term as defined in section 400 of the mental health code, 1974 PA 258, MCL 330.1400.
(d) The power to execute, reaffirm, and revoke a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of a ward. However, a guardian shall not execute a do-not-resuscitate order unless the guardian does all of the following:
(i) Not more than 14 days before executing the do-not-resuscitate order, visits the ward and, if meaningful communication is possible, consults with the ward about executing the do-not-resuscitate order.
(ii) Consults directly with the ward's attending physician as to the specific medical indications that warrant the do-not-resuscitate order.
(e) If a guardian executes a do-not-resuscitate order under subdivision (d), not less than annually after the do-not-resuscitate order is first executed, the duty to do all of the following:
(i) Visit the ward and, if meaningful communication is possible, consult with the ward about reaffirming the do-not-resuscitate order.
(ii) Consult directly with the ward's attending physician as to specific medical indications that may warrant reaffirming the do-not-resuscitate order.
(f) The power to execute, reaffirm, and revoke a nonopioid directive form on behalf of a ward.
(g) The power to execute, reaffirm, and revoke a physician orders for scope of treatment form on behalf of a ward. However, a guardian shall not execute a physician orders for scope of treatment form unless the guardian does all of the following:
(i) Not more than 14 days before executing the physician orders for scope of treatment form, visits the ward and, if meaningful communication is possible, consults with the ward about executing the physician orders for scope of treatment form.
(ii) Consults directly with the ward's attending physician as to the specific medical indications that warrant the physician orders for scope of treatment form.
(h) If a guardian executes a physician orders for scope of treatment form under subdivision (f), (g), not less than annually after the physician orders for scope of treatment form is first executed, the duty to do all of the following:
(i) Visit the ward and, if meaningful communication is possible, consult with the ward about reaffirming the physician orders for scope of treatment form.
(ii) Consult directly with the ward's attending physician as to specific medical indications that may warrant reaffirming the physician orders for scope of treatment form.
(i) If a conservator for the ward's estate is not appointed, the power to do any of the following:
(i) Institute a proceeding to compel a person under a duty to support the ward or to pay money for the ward's welfare to perform that duty.
(ii) Receive money and tangible property deliverable to the ward and apply the money and property for the ward's support, care, and education. The guardian shall not use money from the ward's estate for room and board that the guardian or the guardian's spouse, parent, or child have furnished the ward unless a charge for the service is approved by court order made on notice to at least 1 of the ward's next of kin, if notice is possible. The guardian shall exercise care to conserve any excess for the ward's needs.
(j) The duty to report the condition of the ward and the ward's estate that is subject to the guardian's possession or control, as required by the court, but not less often than annually. The guardian shall also serve the report required under this subdivision on the ward and interested persons as specified in the Michigan court rules. A report under this subdivision must contain all of the following:
(i) The ward's current mental, physical, and social condition.
(ii) Improvement or deterioration in the ward's mental, physical, and social condition that occurred during the past year.
(iii) The ward's present living arrangement and changes in his or her living arrangement that occurred during the past year.
(iv) Whether the guardian recommends a more suitable living arrangement for the ward.
(v) Medical treatment, including mental health treatment, received by the ward.
(vi) Whether the guardian has executed, reaffirmed, or revoked a do-not-resuscitate order on behalf of the ward during the past year.
(vii) Whether the guardian has executed, reaffirmed, or revoked a nonopioid directive form on behalf of the ward during the past year.
(viii) Whether the guardian has executed, reaffirmed, or revoked a physician orders for scope of treatment form on behalf of the ward during the past year.
(ix) Services received by the ward.
(x) A list of the guardian's visits with, and activities on behalf of, the ward.
(xi) A recommendation as to the need for continued guardianship.
(k) If a conservator is appointed, the duty to pay to the conservator, for management as provided in this act, the amount of the ward's estate received by the guardian in excess of the amount the guardian expends for the ward's current support, care, and education. The guardian shall account to the conservator for the amount expended.
(l) The duty to notify the interested persons as specified in the Michigan court rules if the ward has been admitted to a hospital for acute care for 3 or more days or within 24 hours after being informed by hospital staff that the ward is not expected to recover from the condition or conditions for which the ward has been hospitalized. A notice under this subdivision may be written or oral. As used in this subdivision, "hospital" means that term as defined in section 20106 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20106.
Sec. 5418. (1) A conservator shall account to the court for administration of the trust not less than annually unless the court directs otherwise, upon on resignation or removal, and at other times as the court directs. On termination of the protected individual's minority or disability, a conservator shall account to the court or to the formerly protected individual or that individual's successors. Subject to appeal or vacation within the time permitted, an order, after notice and hearing, allowing an intermediate account of a conservator adjudicates as to liabilities concerning the matters considered in connection with the accounts, and an order, after notice and hearing, allowing a final account adjudicates as to all previously unsettled liabilities of the conservator to the protected individual or the protected individual's successors relating to the conservatorship. An account to the court required under this subsection must include, but is not limited to, a report listing separately each check, electronic payment, or any other expenditure issued or made by the conservator along with the date, amount, payee, and purpose. In connection with any account, the court may require a conservator to submit to a physical check of the estate to be made in any manner the court specifies.
(2) The conservator shall provide a copy of an account to the protected individual if the individual can be located and is 14 years of age or older and to interested persons as specified in the Michigan court rules.
