Texas Senate Bill SB960

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to a pilot program that allows counties to establish public guardians for certain incapacitated persons.

Impact

The implementation of SB960 is designed to enhance the state's approach to guardianship for incapacitated individuals by formalizing the role of public guardians. Counties that opt into this program must establish an office dedicated to providing guardianship services, thereby increasing access to help for those in need. The bill also extends the possibility for counties to partner with existing nonprofit or private programs, thereby fostering collaboration and resource sharing to meet the needs of wards.

Summary

Senate Bill 960 introduces a pilot program aimed at allowing counties to establish public guardians for incapacitated persons. This bill seeks to amend the Estates Code, creating a framework under which the Office of Court Administration can assist counties in forming offices of public guardians. The main goal of this legislation is to provide necessary guardianship services for individuals who cannot manage their own affairs, ensuring that such services are uniformly available across participating counties.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding the bill includes concerns about the qualifications and independence of public guardians. The legislation requires public guardians to have specific qualifications, such as being licensed attorneys or having relevant certifications, to ensure that those appointed can effectively manage the affairs of wards. Opponents may question whether the creation of public offices for guardianship could lead to bureaucracy or conflict of interest by intertwining public guardianship services with local providers of other necessary services.