83R3753 CLG-D
 
  By: Naishtat H.B. No. 2412
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to notice and reporting of investigations of certified
  guardians conducted by the Guardianship Certification Board.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 1163.005, Estates Code,
  as effective January 1, 2014, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1163.005.  VERIFICATION OF ACCOUNT AND STATEMENT
  REGARDING TAXES AND STATUS AS GUARDIAN.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1163.005(a), Estates Code, as effective
  January 1, 2014, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The guardian of the estate shall attach to an account
  the guardian's affidavit stating:
               (1)  that the account contains a correct and complete
  statement of the matters to which the account relates;
               (2)  that the guardian has paid the bond premium for the
  next accounting period;
               (3)  that the guardian has filed all tax returns of the
  ward due during the accounting period; [and]
               (4)  that the guardian has paid all taxes the ward owed
  during the accounting period, the amount of the taxes, the date the
  guardian paid the taxes, and the name of the governmental entity to
  which the guardian paid the taxes; and
               (5)  if the guardian is certified under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 111, Government Code, whether the guardian is or has been
  the subject of an investigation conducted by the Guardianship
  Certification Board during the accounting period.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1163.101(c), Estates Code, as effective
  January 1, 2014, is amended 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;
               (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; [and]
               (9)  if the guardian is certified under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 111, Government Code, a statement indicating whether the
  guardian is or has been the subject of an investigation conducted by
  the Guardianship Certification Board during the past 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.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter C, Chapter 111, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 111.045 to read as follows:
         Sec. 111.045.  NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION OF CERTIFIED
  GUARDIAN. (a) Not later than the 30th day after the date the board
  commences an investigation of a guardian who holds a certificate
  issued under Section 111.042, the board shall notify each probate
  court that has appointed the guardian as guardian of a person or
  estate of the fact of the investigation.
         (b)  The board shall make available to a probate court on
  request the name and address of each individual issued a
  certificate under Section 111.042 who is the subject of a pending
  investigation being conducted by the board.
         SECTION 5.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this
  section, this Act takes effect January 1, 2014.
         (b)  Section 111.045, Government Code, as added by this Act,
  takes effect September 1, 2013.