Relating to guardianships and conservatorships of minors

This bill relates to guardianships and conservatorships of minors. Under current law, the juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction of guardianship proceedings. The bill provides that the juvenile court also has exclusive jurisdiction over guardianships of minors. The bill changes a Code reference for a petition to appoint a conservator for a minor. The bill provides that a petition for a minor guardianship must state whether a minor needs or currently has a conservatorship. The bill provides that juvenile court records in guardianship proceedings are confidential and are not public records. The confidential records may be inspected and disclosed without court order to the judge and professional court staff; the minor and minor’s counsel; and the minor’s parent, guardian or custodian, court visitor, and any counsel representing such person. The bill describes who is qualified to serve as a court visitor for a minor. The bill provides that notice of a guardianship proceeding must be given to any adult with whom the minor has lived for any time during the six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.304. The bill provides that hearings on petitions for guardianship may be recorded, and that for good cause a court may share the results of background checks regarding the suitability of a proposed guardian. The bill also directs that the initial verified care plan must include the guardian’s plan for applying and receiving funds and benefits for the support of the minor, that a copy of the verified initial care plan and verified annual reports be provided to the minor, and that the court develop and implement a calendar system to ensure reports are timely filed.