Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1325 by Zaffirini (Relating to authorizing counties to establish public guardians to serve as guardians for certain incapacitated persons.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Estates Code to authorize counties to create a public office to provide guardianship services to certain persons deemed incapacitated and would require the Office of Court Administration to perform several functions that support guardianship services including the dissemination of policies and procedures, providing training and administrative support, and submitting a biannual report that provides information on program costs, benefits, and recommendations.
Local Government Impact
The bill authorizes the commissioners court of a county by order to create an office of public guardian to provide guardianship services to incapacitated persons, or enter into an agreement with a person operating a nonprofit guardianship program or private professional guardianship program. Counties could incur costs associated with establishment, creation, and administration of an office of public guardian as well as personnel.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 529 Health and Human Services Commission