85R1523 MTB-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 37
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the requirement to obtain certification for attorneys
  representing persons in guardianship proceedings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 1054, Estates Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 1054. COURT OFFICERS, [AND] COURT-APPOINTED PERSONS, AND
  ATTORNEYS
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 1054,
  Estates Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE AS [COURT-APPOINTED]
  ATTORNEY
         SECTION 3.  Section 1054.201(a), Estates Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  An attorney representing any person's interests [for an
  applicant for guardianship and a court-appointed attorney] in a
  guardianship proceeding, including an attorney ad litem, must be
  certified by the State Bar of Texas, or a person or other entity
  designated by the state bar, as having successfully completed a
  course of study in guardianship law and procedure sponsored by the
  state bar or the state bar's designee.
         SECTION 4.  Section 81.114(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The state bar shall provide a course of instruction for
  attorneys who represent any person's interests [parties] in
  guardianship cases or who serve as court-appointed guardians.
         SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act to Section
  1054.201, Estates Code, apply only to a guardianship proceeding
  filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A guardianship
  proceeding filed before the effective date of this Act is governed
  by the law in effect on the date the proceeding was filed, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.