81R372 MTB-F

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) if applicable, describe the precise physical and mental conditions underlying a diagnosis of dementia, and state whether the proposed ward:

(A) would benefit from placement in a facility specializing in the care and treatment of individuals with dementia;

(B) would benefit from medications appropriate to the care and treatment of dementia; and

(C) has sufficient capacity to give informed consent to the administration of medications for the treatment of dementia [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) state whether the proposed ward has a developmental disability and, if so, describe the nature of the disability; and

(8) 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 complies with Subsection (a) of this section; 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 [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.