89R5250 EAS-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1536
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training on dementia and Alzheimer's disease for
certain guardians.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 155.204(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) In adopting rules under Section 155.203, the supreme
court shall:
(1) subject to Subdivision (3) [(2)], ensure that
before a person is appointed guardian, the person completes a
training course:
(A) designed by the commission to educate
proposed guardians about their responsibilities as guardians,
alternatives to guardianships, supports and services available to
the proposed ward, and a ward's bill of rights under Section
1151.351, Estates Code; and
(B) made available for free to proposed guardians
by the commission online via the commission's Internet website and,
on request, in a written format; [and]
(2) subject to Subdivision (3), ensure that not later
than the sixth month after the date a guardian is appointed and at
least once a year, the guardian completes a three-hour training
course:
(A) designed by the commission to educate
guardians on dementia and Alzheimer's disease, including providing
information about:
(i) common aspects of aging;
(ii) warning signs of dementia and
Alzheimer's disease;
(iii) effective strategies for
communicating with a person who is diagnosed with dementia or
Alzheimer's disease; and
(iv) effective strategies for supporting a
person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease in
exercising the person's rights; and
(B) made available for free to guardians by the
commission online via the commission's Internet website; and
(3) identify the circumstances under which a court may
waive the training required under this section.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Supreme Court shall adopt the rules necessary to provide the
training required under Section 155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as
amended by this Act.
(b) Not later than July 1, 2026, the Judicial Branch
Certification Commission shall make available on the commission's
Internet website the course required by Section 155.204(a)(2),
Government Code, as amended by this Act.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 155.204(a), Government Code, as
amended by this Act, a guardian appointed before July 1, 2026,
shall complete the initial training required by Section
155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as amended by this Act, not later
than September 1, 2026.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.