Req. No. 463 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) SENATE BILL 199 By: Dossett AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to guardianship; amending 30 O.S. 2021, Section 1-114, which relates to powers of court; authorizing court to require ce rtain training; amending 30 O.S. 2021, Sections 3 -104, 3-111, and 3- 112, which relate to appointment of guardian or limited guardian; requiring verification of completion of certain training to be submitted to court; requiring completion of certain trainin g prior to appointment as guardian for certain persons; authorizing certain wa iver by court; requiring Department of Human Services to maintain certain list; updating statutory language; updating statutory references; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 30 O.S. 2021, Section 1 -114, is amended to read as follows: Section 1-114. A. In all cases the court making the appointment of a guardian has ex clusive jurisdiction to control such guardian in the management and dispositio n of the person and property of the ward. Req. No. 463 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. The court has jurisdiction over guardianship proceedings, and has the following powers, which must be exercised in the manner prescribed by statute, to: 1. Appoint and remove guardians for minors and for incapacitated and partially incapacitated persons; 2. Compel any applicant for guardian for a proposed ward diagnosed with a neurological condition such as Alzheimer ’s disease, dementia, or other similar developmental disability to complete prerequisite training; 3. Issue and revoke letters of guardianship; 3. 4. Control the conduct of guardians with regard to the care and treatment provided to their wards; 4. 5. Control the conduct of guardians with regard to the management of the financial resources of their wards, including , but not limited to, the power to: a. compel guardians to submit plans, reports, inventories and accountings to the court, b. compel payment and delivery by g uardians of property belonging to their wards, c. order the payment of debts, the sale of property, and order and regulate the distribution of property which has been placed under the control or management of a guardian, and d. settle the accounts of guard ians; Req. No. 463 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. 6. Appoint appraisers of the property of wards; 6. 7. Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and property; 7. 8. After a petition has been filed for appointment of a guardian for a minor, make or modify any temporary order of guardianship during the progress of the proceedings that would be in the best interest of the ward. Any such temporary order may be entered ex parte with written notice sent to all parties directing them to appear before the court, at a time and place therein specified, not more than twenty (20) days from the time of making such order, to show cause why the order should not be granted for temporary guardianship; and 8. 9. Exercise all powers conferred by the Oklahoma Guardianship and Conservator ship Act, Section 1-101 et seq. of this title, and to make such orders as may be necessary for the exercise of said such powers. C. The chief judge of each district court shall establish by court rule a system for: 1. The filing of guardianship and conse rvatorship cases and records which distinguish them from probate cases; and 2. Monitoring the filing of annual reports and inventories required by this title for the purpose of assuring that the court will be notified of annual reports as they fall due an d whether or not said such reports are filed. Req. No. 463 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 30 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -104, is amended to read as follows: Section 3-104. A. The following priorities shall guide the selection by the court of a guardian or l imited guardian of an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person from among those eligible: 1. The individual or individuals nominated by the subject of the proceeding pursuant to Section 3 -102 of this title; 2. The current guardian or limited guard ian appointed or recognized by the appropriate court of any other jurisdiction in which the incapacitated or partially incapacitated person resides; 3. An individual nominated by the will or by other writing of a deceased parent, spouse, or an adult child who was serving as the guardian or limited guardian of the subject of the proceeding; 4. The spouse of the subject of the proceeding; 5. An adult child of the subject of the proceeding; 6. A parent of the subject of the proceeding; 7. A sibling of the subject of the proceeding; 8. Any individual approved by the court with whom the subject of the proceeding has been living for more than six (6) months prior to the filing of the petition. Provided , that any owner, operator, administrator or employee of a facility subject to the provisions of the Nursing Home Care Act, the Residential Home Care Act or the Group Homes for the Developmentally Disabled or Physically Req. No. 463 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Handicapped Persons Act Persons with Developmental or Physical Disabilities Act shall not be appointed guardian or limited guardian of a resident of such facility unless the owner, operator, administrator or employee is the spouse of the resident, or a relative of the resident within the second degree of consanguinity and is otherwise eligible fo r appointment; or 9. If applicable, an individual volunteer qualified for appointment as a guardian of a veteran pursuant to the Veterans Volunteer Guardianship Act. B. When the guardian or limited guardian of an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person is the guardian of property only, the court may appoint an organization which is eligible to manage the financial resources of an individual and has fiduciary powers, or its successor in interest, when: 1. Such organization is nominated by the subj ect of the proceeding pursuant to Section 3 -102 of this title; 2. Such organization is nominated by a person eligible to make such nomination pursuant to Section 3 -103 of this title; or 3. The appointment of such organization is in the best interest of the subject of the proceeding. C. The court shall make reasonable inquiry to d etermine whether the person or organization proposed to serve as the guardian or limited guardian of an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person is suitable and will exerc ise the powers and carry out the Req. No. 463 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 duties and responsibilities of guardian or limited guardian in the best interest of the ward. For any guardianship for which the court orders completion of training pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection B of Section 1-114 of this title, the court shall require verification or attestation of completi on of prerequisite training specific to the needs of the ward to be filed in the case or submitted to the court prior to appointment of the guardian, unless waived by the court. The court shall also inquire of the proposed guardian of the person of the ward as to how the guardian proposes to provide for the care of the ward, and of the proposed guardian of the estate of the ward as to how the guardian proposes to manage the property of the ward and to provide for the ward ’s financial care. The court shall make such orders with respect thereto as the court deems to be for the best interest of the ward. D. A public agency shall not be appointed to serve as guardian for an adult except as provided in Section 1415 of Title 10 and Section 10-108 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes. SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 30 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -111, is amended to read as follows: Section 3-111. A. At the hearing on the pet ition the court shall determine whether or not it is necessary to appoint a gu ardian of the person, property or both. If a guardian is needed, the court shall determine: Req. No. 463 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1. When a general or limited guardian of the person of the subject of the proceeding is requested, the essential requirements for the health and safety of the subject of the proceeding and the skills and knowledge necessary to meet those requirements; 2. When a general or limited guardian of the property of the subject of the proceeding is requested, the type and amount of the financial resources of the subject of the proceeding, the essential requirements for managing the financial resources and the skills and knowledge necessary to manage the financial resources; 3. The nature and exte nt of the incapacity of the subject of the proceeding, if any; and 4. Whether by clear and convincing evidence the subject of the proceeding is an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person. B. If after a full hearing and examination upon such petit ion, the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the subject of the proceeding is an incapacitated or partially incapacitated person, the court shall determine the extent of the incapacity and the feasibility of less restrictive alternatives to g uardianship to meet the needs of the subject of the proceeding. Upon such determination, the court may: 1. Dismiss the action if the court finds that less restrictive alternatives to guardianship are feasible and adequate to meet the needs of the subject of the proceeding; or Req. No. 463 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. Appoint a guardian or limited guardian who has completed any prerequisite training specific to the needs of the ward ordered pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection B of Section 1 -114 of this title, unless waived by the court . An order making such an appointment shall include a specific finding that it was established by clear and convincing evidence that the identified needs of the subject of the proceeding require a guardianship instead of less restrictive alternatives. C. Guardianship for an incapacitated person shall be: 1. Used only as is necessary to promote and protect the well - being of the person and his or her property; 2. Designed to encourage the development of maximum self - reliance and independence of the person; and 3. Ordered only to the extent required by the actual mental, physical and adaptive limitations of the person. SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 30 O.S. 2021, Section 3 -112, is amended to read as follows: Section 3-112. A. Whenever the cour t finds the subject of the proceeding to be an incapacitated person the court shall appoint: 1. A general guardian of the person; and 2. As the court determines to be necessary and appropriate, a guardian of the property of the ward. Req. No. 463 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. Whenever the cou rt finds the subject of the proceeding to be a partially incapacitated person the court shall appoint, as necessary and appropriate for said the person: 1. A limited guardian of the person; or 2. A general or a limited guardian of the property of said the person; or 3. A limited guardian of the person and a general or limited guardian of the property of said the person. C. The court may appoint the same or separate persons to serve as guardian or limited guardian of the person and guardian or limited guardian of the property of a ward. D. Unless waived by the court, any person who is to serve as a guardian or limited guardian of the person or the property of a ward whom the court finds to be an incapacitated or partially incapacitated adult due to a dia gnosed neurological condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other similar developmental disability shall submit verification or attestation of completion of prerequisite training. Such training shall be specific to assisting persons with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or similar neurological conditions including , but not limited to, understanding Alzheimer ’s disease, communication techniques, and resources available for care if the ward is over sixty (60) years of age, or earlier if the person is diagnosed with such a condition. Req. No. 463 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 E. A list of approved training programs s hall be maintained by the Department of Human Services. Programs not included on the list must be submitted for approval to the Department prior to guardianship determination. SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025. 60-1-463 TEK 12/30/2024 3:01:20 PM