81R27045 KLA-D
 
  By: Naishtat H.B. No. 889
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to examination requirements in certain guardianship
  matters concerning persons with mental retardation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 687, Texas Probate Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 687.  EXAMINATIONS AND REPORTS.  (a)  Except as provided
  by Subsection (c) of this section, the [The] court may not grant an
  application to create a guardianship for an incapacitated person,
  other than a minor[, person whose alleged incapacity is mental
  retardation,] or person for whom it is necessary to have a guardian
  appointed only to receive funds from a governmental source, unless
  the applicant presents to the court a written letter or certificate
  from a physician licensed in this state that is dated not earlier
  than the 120th day before the date of the filing of the application
  and based on an examination the physician performed not earlier
  than the 120th day before the date of the filing of the application.
  The letter or certificate must:
               (1)  describe the nature, [and] degree, and severity of
  incapacity, including functional deficits, if any, regarding the
  proposed ward's ability to:
                     (A)  handle business and managerial matters;
                     (B)  manage financial matters;
                     (C)  operate a motor vehicle;
                     (D)  make personal decisions regarding residence,
  voting, and marriage; and
                     (E)  consent to medical, dental, psychological,
  or psychiatric treatment [the medical history if reasonably
  available];
               (2)  provide an evaluation of the proposed ward's
  physical condition and mental function and summarize the proposed
  ward's medical history if reasonably available [a medical prognosis
  specifying the estimated severity of the incapacity];
               (3)  state how or in what manner the proposed ward's
  ability to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning
  himself or herself is affected by the person's physical or mental
  health, including the proposed ward's ability to:
                     (A)  understand or communicate;
                     (B)  recognize familiar objects and individuals;
                     (C)  perform simple calculations;
                     (D)  reason logically; and
                     (E)  administer to daily life activities;
               (4)  state whether any current medication affects the
  demeanor of the proposed ward or the proposed ward's ability to
  participate fully in a court proceeding;
               (5)  describe the precise physical and mental
  conditions underlying a diagnosis of a mental disability, and state
  whether the proposed ward would benefit from supports and services
  that would allow the individual to live in the least restrictive
  setting [senility, if applicable];
               (6)  in providing a description under Subdivision (1)
  of this subsection regarding the proposed ward's ability to operate
  a motor vehicle and make personal decisions regarding voting, state
  whether in the physician's opinion the proposed ward:
                     (A)  has the mental capacity to vote in a public
  election; and
                     (B)  has the ability to safely operate a motor
  vehicle; and
               (7)  include any other information required by the
  court.
         (b)  If [Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this
  section, if] the court determines it is necessary, the court may
  appoint the necessary physicians to examine the proposed ward. The
  court must make its determination with respect to the necessity for
  a physician's examination of the proposed ward at a hearing held for
  that purpose. Not later than the fourth day before the date of the
  hearing, the applicant shall give to the proposed ward and the
  proposed ward's attorney ad litem written notice specifying the
  purpose and the date and time of the hearing. A physician who
  examines the proposed ward, other than a physician or psychologist
  who examines the proposed ward under Subsection (c)(2) [(c)] of
  this section, shall make available to an attorney ad litem
  appointed to represent the proposed ward, for inspection, a written
  letter or certificate from the physician that complies with the
  requirements of Subsection (a) of this section.
         (c)  If the basis of the proposed ward's alleged incapacity
  is mental retardation, the court may not grant an application to
  create a guardianship for the proposed ward unless the applicant
  presents to the court:
               (1)  a written letter or certificate that:
                     (A)  complies with Subsection (a) of this section;
  and
                     (B)  states that the physician has made a
  determination of mental retardation in accordance with Section
  593.005, Health and Safety Code; or
               (2)  both:
                     (A)  [shall be examined by a physician or
  psychologist licensed in this state or certified by the Texas
  Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to perform the
  examination, unless there is] written documentation showing [filed
  with the court that shows] that, not earlier than 24 months before
  the date of the hearing, the proposed ward has been examined by a
  physician or psychologist licensed in this state or certified by
  the Department of Aging and Disability Services to perform the
  examination, in accordance with rules of the executive commissioner
  of the Health and Human Services Commission governing examinations
  of that kind; and
                     (B)  the physician's or psychologist's [according
  to the rules adopted by the Texas Department of Mental Health and
  Mental Retardation not earlier than 24 months before the date of a
  hearing to appoint a guardian for the proposed ward. The physician
  or psychologist shall conduct the examination according to the
  rules adopted by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
  Retardation and shall submit] written findings and
  recommendations, including a statement as to whether the physician
  or psychologist has made a determination of mental retardation in
  accordance with Section 593.005, Health and Safety Code [to the
  court].
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act to Section
  687, Texas Probate Code, apply only to an application for the
  creation of a guardianship filed on or after the effective date of
  this Act.  An application for the creation of a guardianship filed
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect on the date the application was filed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.