SB1536 - Relating to training on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related disorders for certain guardians.

      By: Zaffirini, Menéndez S.B. No. 1536     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to training on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related   disorders for certain guardians.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 155.203(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  In adopting rules under this section, the supreme court   shall ensure that :                 (1)   the commission is required to provide confirmation   of a person's completion of the training required by Section   155.204(a)(1) and a copy of the person's criminal history   background check to the probate court not later than the 10th day   before the date of the hearing to appoint a guardian ; and                 (2)     a probate court is required to ensure a guardian's   timely completion of the training required by Section   155.204(a)(2), unless the training is waived by the probate court   as provided by Section 155.204(a)(3) .          SECTION 2.  Section 155.204, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) 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) and Subsection (a-1),   ensure that not later than the sixth month after the date a guardian   is appointed and at least once a year after the initial training   under this subdivision, the guardian completes a one-hour training   course:                       (A)     designed to educate guardians on Alzheimer's   disease, dementia, and related disorders, 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)     from a list of one or more training courses   approved by the commission and made available for free to guardians   online via the commission's Internet website; and                 (3)   identify the circumstances under which a court may   waive the training required under this section.           (a-1)     Subsection (a)(2) applies only to a guardian of the   person or the estate, or both, of a ward who is:                 (1)  60 years of age or older; or                 (2)     younger than 60 years of age if the ward has been   diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or a related   disorder.          SECTION 3.  (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas   Supreme Court shall adopt the rules required under Sections 155.203   and 155.204, Government Code, as amended by this Act.          (b)  Not later than July 1, 2026, the Judicial Branch   Certification Commission shall approve and make available on the   commission's Internet website the list of training courses 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, who   is required to complete the training required by Section   155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as amended by this Act, shall   complete the initial training required by that section not later   than January 1, 2027.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.