BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to guardianship; and amending RCW 11.88.030, 11.88.040, 11.88.045, 11.88.090, 11.88.095, 11.92.050, 11.92.053, 11.92.180, and 11.94.010.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 11.88.030 and 1991 c 289 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person or entity may petition for the appointment of a qualified person, trust company, national bank, or nonprofit corporation authorized in RCW 11.88.020 as now or hereafter amended as the guardian or limited guardian of an incapacitated person. No liability for filing a petition for guardianship or limited guardianship shall attach to a petitioner acting in good faith and upon reasonable basis. A petition for guardianship or limited guardianship shall state:

(a) The name, age, residence, and post office address of the alleged incapacitated person;

(b) The nature of the alleged incapacity in accordance with RCW 11.88.010;

(c) The approximate value and description of property, including any compensation, pension, insurance, or allowance, to which the alleged incapacitated person may be entitled;

(d) Whether there is, in any state, a guardian or limited guardian, or pending guardianship action for the person or estate of the alleged incapacitated person;

(e) The residence and post office address of the person whom petitioner asks to be appointed guardian or limited guardian;

(f) The names and addresses, and nature of the relationship, so far as known or can be reasonably ascertained, of the persons most closely related by blood or marriage to the alleged incapacitated person;

(g) The name and address of the person or facility having the care and custody of the alleged incapacitated person;

(h) The reason why the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian is sought and the interest of the petitioner in the appointment, and whether the appointment is sought as guardian or limited guardian of the person, the estate, or both, and why no alternative to guardianship is appropriate;

(i) The nature and degree of the alleged incapacity and the specific areas of protection and assistance requested and the limitation of rights requested to be included in the court's order of appointment;

(j) The requested term of the limited guardianship to be included in the court's order of appointment;

(k) Whether the petitioner is proposing a specific individual to act as guardian ad litem and, if so, the individual's knowledge of or relationship to any of the parties, and why the individual is proposed.

(2)(a) The attorney general may petition for the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian in any case in which there is cause to believe that a guardianship is necessary and no private party is able and willing to petition.

(b) Prepayment of a filing fee shall not be required in any guardianship or limited guardianship brought by the attorney general. Payment of the filing fee shall be ordered from the estate of the incapacitated person at the hearing on the merits of the petition, unless in the judgment of the court, such payment would impose a hardship upon the incapacitated person, in which case the filing shall be waived.

(3) No filing fee shall be charged by the court for filing either a petition for guardianship or a petition for limited guardianship if the petition alleges that the alleged incapacitated person has total assets of a value of less than three thousand dollars.

(4)(a) Notice that a guardianship proceeding has been commenced shall be personally served upon or sent by first class mail to the alleged incapacitated person and the guardian ad litem along with a copy of the petition for appointment of a guardian. Such notice shall be served not more than five court days after the petition has been filed.

(b) Notice under this subsection shall include a clear and easily readable statement of the legal rights of the alleged incapacitated person that could be restricted or transferred to a guardian by a guardianship order as well as the right to counsel of choice and to a jury trial on the issue of incapacity. Such notice shall be in substantially the following form and shall be in capital letters, double-spaced, and in a type size not smaller than ten-point type:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

A PETITION TO HAVE A GUARDIAN APPOINTED FOR YOU HAS BEEN FILED IN THE . . . . . . COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT BY . . . . . . IF A GUARDIAN IS APPOINTED, YOU COULD LOSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:

(1) TO MARRY OR DIVORCE;

(2) TO VOTE OR HOLD AN ELECTED OFFICE;

(3) TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT OR MAKE OR REVOKE A WILL;

(4) TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF;

(5) TO SUE AND BE SUED OTHER THAN THROUGH A GUARDIAN;

(6) TO POSSESS A LICENSE TO DRIVE;

(7) TO BUY, SELL, OWN, MORTGAGE, OR LEASE PROPERTY;

(8) TO CONSENT TO OR REFUSE MEDICAL TREATMENT;

(9) TO DECIDE WHO SHALL PROVIDE CARE AND ASSISTANCE;

(10) TO MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING SOCIAL ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE.

UNDER THE LAW, YOU HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY A LAWYER OF YOUR OWN CHOOSING. THE COURT WILL APPOINT A LAWYER TO REPRESENT YOU IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PAY OR PAYMENT WOULD RESULT IN A SUBSTANTIAL HARDSHIP TO YOU.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR A JURY TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOU NEED A GUARDIAN TO HELP YOU.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESENT IN COURT WHEN THE HEARING IS HELD TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOU NEED A GUARDIAN.

(5) All petitions filed under the provisions of this section shall be heard within sixty days unless an extension of time is requested by a party within such sixty day period and granted for good cause shown. If an extension is granted, the court shall set a new hearing date.

Sec. 2. RCW 11.88.040 and 1991 c 289 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ten days after service thereof, shall be served personally ((to)) upon the alleged incapacitated person, if over fourteen years of age, and served upon the guardian ad litem.

Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ten days after service thereof, shall be given by registered or certified mail to the last known address requesting a return receipt signed by the addressee or an agent appointed by the addressee, or by personal service in the manner provided for services of summons, to the following:

(1) The alleged incapacitated person, or minor, if under fourteen years of age;

(2) A parent, if the alleged incapacitated person is a minor, all known children not residing with a notified person, and the spouse of the alleged incapacitated person if any;

(3) Any other person who has been appointed as guardian or limited guardian, or the person with whom the alleged incapacitated person resides. No notice need be given to those persons named in subsections (2) and (3) of this section if they have signed the petition for the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian or have waived notice of the hearing.

(4) If the petition is by a parent asking for appointment as guardian or limited guardian of a minor child under the age of fourteen years, or if the petition is accompanied by the written consent of a minor of the age of fourteen years or upward, who consents to the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian asked for, or if the petition is by a nonresident guardian of any minor or incapacitated person, then the court may appoint the guardian without notice of the hearing. The court for good cause may reduce the number of days of notice, but in every case, at least three days notice shall be given.

The alleged incapacitated person shall be present in court at the final hearing on the petition: PROVIDED, That this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the court for good cause other than mere inconvenience shown in the report to be provided by the guardian ad litem pursuant to RCW 11.88.090 as now or hereafter amended, or if no guardian ad litem is required to be appointed pursuant to RCW 11.88.090, as now or hereafter amended, at the discretion of the court for good cause shown by a party. Alternatively, the court may remove itself to the place of residence of the alleged incapacitated person and conduct the final hearing in the presence of the alleged incapacitated person. Final hearings on the petition may be held in closed court without admittance of any person other than those necessary to the action or proceeding.

If presence of the alleged incapacitated person is waived and the court does not remove itself to the place of residence of such person, the guardian ad litem shall appear in person at the final hearing on the petition.

Sec. 3. RCW 11.88.045 and 1991 c 289 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) Alleged incapacitated individuals shall have the right to be represented by counsel at any stage in guardianship proceedings. The court shall provide counsel to represent any alleged incapacitated person at public expense when either: (i) The individual is unable to afford counsel, or (ii) the expense of counsel would result in substantial hardship to the individual, or (iii) the individual does not have practical access to funds with which to pay counsel. If the individual can afford counsel but lacks practical access to funds, the court shall provide counsel and may impose a reimbursement requirement as part of a final order. When, in the opinion of the court, the rights and interests of an alleged or adjudicated incapacitated person cannot otherwise be adequately protected and represented, the court on its own motion shall appoint an attorney at any time to represent such person. Counsel shall be provided as soon as practicable after a petition is filed and long enough before any final hearing to allow adequate time for consultation and preparation. Absent a convincing showing in the record to the contrary, a period of less than three weeks shall be presumed by a reviewing court to be inadequate time for consultation and preparation.

(b) Counsel for an alleged incapacitated individual shall act as an advocate for the client and shall not substitute counsel's own judgment for that of the client on the subject of what may be in the client's best interests. Counsel's role shall be distinct from that of the guardian ad litem, who is expected to promote the best interest of the alleged incapacitated individual, rather than the alleged incapacitated individual's expressed preferences.

(c) If an alleged incapacitated person is represented by counsel and does not communicate with counsel, counsel may ask the court for leave to withdraw for that reason. If satisfied, after affording the alleged incapacitated person an opportunity for a hearing, that the request is justified, the court may grant the request and allow the case to proceed with the alleged incapacitated person unrepresented.

(2) During the pendency of any guardianship, any attorney purporting to represent a person alleged or adjudicated to be incapacitated shall petition to be appointed to represent the incapacitated or alleged incapacitated person. Fees for representation described in this section shall be subject to approval by the court pursuant to the provisions of RCW 11.92.180.

(3) The alleged incapacitated person is further entitled upon request to a jury trial on the issues of his or her alleged incapacity. The standard of proof to be applied in a contested case, whether before a jury or the court, shall be that of clear, cogent, and convincing evidence.

(4) In all proceedings for appointment of a guardian or limited guardian, the court must be presented with a written report from a physician licensed to practice under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW or licensed or certified psychologist selected by the guardian ad litem. The physician or psychologist shall have personally examined and interviewed the alleged incapacitated person within thirty days of preparation of the report to the court and shall have expertise in the type of disorder or incapacity the alleged incapacitated person is believed to have. The report shall contain the following information and shall be set forth in substantially the following format:

(a) The name and address of the examining physician or psychologist;

(b) The education and experience of the physician or psychologist pertinent to the case;

(d) A summary of the relevant medical, functional, neurological, psychological, or psychiatric history of the alleged incapacitated person as known to the examining physician or psychologist;

(e) The findings of the examining physician or psychologist as to the condition of the alleged incapacitated person;

(f) Current medications;

(g) The effect of current medications on the alleged incapacitated person's ability to understand or participate in guardianship proceedings;

(h) Opinions on the specific assistance the alleged incapacitated person needs;

(i) Identification of persons with whom the physician or psychologist has met or spoken regarding the alleged incapacitated person.

The court shall not enter an order appointing a guardian or limited guardian until a medical or psychological report meeting the above requirements is filed.

The requirement of filing a medical report is waived if the basis of the guardianship is minority.

Sec. 4. RCW 11.88.090 and 1991 c 289 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Nothing contained in RCW 11.88.080 through 11.88.120, 11.92.010 through 11.92.040, 11.92.060 through 11.92.120, 11.92.170, and 11.92.180, as now or hereafter amended, shall affect or impair the power of any court to appoint a guardian ad litem to defend the interests of any incapacitated person interested in any suit or matter pending therein, or to commence and prosecute any suit in his behalf.

(2) Upon receipt of a petition for appointment of guardian or limited guardian, except as provided herein, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the alleged incapacitated person, who shall be a person found or known by the court to

(a) be free of influence from anyone interested in the result of the proceeding;

(b) have the requisite knowledge, training, or expertise to perform the duties required by this section.

No guardian ad litem need be appointed when a parent is petitioning for a guardian or a limited guardian to be appointed for his or her minor child and the minority of the child, as defined by RCW 11.92.010, is the sole basis of the petition. The order appointing the guardian ad litem shall recite the duties set forth in subsection (5) of this section. The appointment of a guardian ad litem shall have no effect on the legal competency of the alleged incapacitated person and shall not overcome the presumption of competency or full legal and civil rights of the alleged incapacitated person.

(3)(a) The superior court of each county shall develop by September 1, 1991, a registry of persons who are willing and qualified to serve as guardians ad litem in guardianship matters. The court shall choose as guardians ad litem only persons whose names appear on the registry, except in extraordinary circumstances.

(b) To be eligible for the registry a person shall:

(i) Present a written statement of qualifications describing the person's knowledge, training, and experience in each of the following: Needs of impaired elderly people, physical disabilities, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and other areas relevant to the needs of incapacitated persons, legal procedure, and the requirements of chapters 11.88 and 11.92 RCW; and

(ii) Complete a training program adopted by the court, or, in the absence of a locally adopted program, a candidate for inclusion upon the registry shall have completed a model training program as described in (d) of this subsection.

(i) Train otherwise qualified human service professionals in those aspects of legal procedure and the requirements of chapters 11.88 and 11.92 RCW with which a guardian ad litem should be familiar;

(ii) Train otherwise qualified legal professionals in those aspects of medicine, social welfare, and social service delivery systems with which a guardian ad litem should be familiar.

(d) The superior court of each county may approve a guardian ad litem training program on or before June 1, 1991. The department of social and health services, aging and adult services administration, shall convene an advisory group to develop a model guardian ad litem training program. The advisory group shall consist of representatives from consumer, advocacy, and professional groups knowledgeable in developmental disabilities, neurological impairment, physical disabilities, mental illness, aging, legal, court administration, and other interested parties.

(e) Any superior court that has not adopted a guardian ad litem training program by September 1, 1991, shall require utilization of a model program developed by the advisory group as described in (d) of this subsection, to assure that candidates applying for registration as a qualified guardian ad litem shall have satisfactorily completed training to attain these essential minimum qualifications to act as guardian ad litem.

(4) The guardian ad litem's written statement of qualifications required by RCW 11.88.090(3)(b)(i) shall be made part of the record in each matter in which the person is appointed guardian ad litem.

(5) The guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this section shall have the following duties:

(a) To meet and consult with the alleged incapacitated person as soon as practicable following appointment and explain, in language which such person can reasonably be expected to understand, the substance of the petition, the nature of the resultant proceedings, the person's right to contest the petition, the identification of the proposed guardian or limited guardian, the right to a jury trial on the issue of his or her alleged incapacity, the right to independent legal counsel as provided by RCW 11.88.045, and the right to be present in court at the hearing on the petition;

(b) To obtain a written report according to RCW 11.88.045; and such other written or oral reports from other qualified professionals as are necessary to permit the guardian ad litem to complete the report required by this section;

(i) The proposed guardian's knowledge of the duties, requirements, and limitations of a guardian; and

(ii) The steps the proposed guardian intends to take or has taken to identify and meet the needs of the alleged incapacitated person;

(d) To consult as necessary to complete the investigation and report required by this section with those known relatives, friends, or other persons the guardian ad litem determines have had a significant, continuing interest in the welfare of the alleged incapacitated person;

(e) To provide the court with a written report which shall include the following:

(i) A description of the nature, cause, and degree of incapacity, and the basis upon which this judgment was made;

(ii) A description of the needs of the incapacitated person for care and treatment, the probable residential requirements of the alleged incapacitated person and the basis upon which these findings were made;

(iii) An evaluation of the appropriateness of the guardian or limited guardian whose appointment is sought and a description of the steps the proposed guardian has taken or intends to take to identify and meet current and emerging needs of the incapacitated person;

(iv) A description of the abilities of the alleged incapacitated person and a recommendation as to whether a guardian or limited guardian should be appointed. If appointment of a limited guardian is recommended, the guardian ad litem shall recommend the specific areas of authority the limited guardian should have and the limitations and disabilities to be placed on the incapacitated person;

(v) An evaluation of the person's mental ability to rationally exercise the right to vote and the basis upon which the evaluation is made;

(vi) Any expression of approval or disapproval made by the alleged incapacitated person concerning the proposed guardian or limited guardian or guardianship or limited guardianship;

(vii) Identification of persons with significant interest in the welfare of the alleged incapacitated person who should be advised of their right to request special notice of proceedings pursuant to RCW 11.92.150; and

(viii) Unless independent counsel has appeared for the alleged incapacitated person, an explanation of how the alleged incapacitated person responded to the advice of the right to jury trial, to independent counsel and to be present at the hearing on the petition.

Within forty-five days after notice of commencement of the guardianship proceeding has been served upon the guardian ad litem, and at least ten days before the hearing on the petition, unless an extension or reduction of time has been granted by the court for good cause, the guardian ad litem shall file its report and send a copy to the alleged incapacitated person and his or her spouse, all children not residing with a notified person, those persons described in ((~~(d)~~)) (e)(vii) of this subsection, and persons who have filed a request for special notice pursuant to RCW 11.92.150;

(f) To advise the court of the need for appointment of counsel for the alleged incapacitated person within five court days after the meeting described in (a) of this subsection unless (i) counsel has appeared, (ii) the alleged incapacitated person affirmatively communicated a wish not to be represented by counsel after being advised of the right to representation and of the conditions under which court-provided counsel may be available, or (iii) the alleged incapacitated person was unable to communicate at all on the subject, and the guardian ad litem is satisfied that the alleged incapacitated person does not affirmatively desire to be represented by counsel.

(6) If the petition is brought by an interested person or entity requesting the appointment of some other qualified person or entity and a prospective guardian or limited guardian cannot be found, the court shall order the guardian ad litem to investigate the availability of a possible guardian or limited guardian and to include the findings in a report to the court pursuant to RCW 11.88.090(5)(e) as now or hereafter amended.

(7) The court appointed guardian ad litem shall have the authority, in the event that the alleged incapacitated person is in need of emergency life-saving medical services, and is unable to consent to such medical services due to incapacity pending the hearing on the petition to give consent for such emergency life-saving medical services on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person.

(8) The guardian ad litem shall receive a fee determined by the court. The fee shall be charged to the alleged incapacitated person unless the court finds that such payment would result in substantial hardship upon such person, in which case the county shall be responsible for such costs: PROVIDED, That if no guardian or limited guardian is appointed the court may charge such fee to the petitioner or the alleged incapacitated person, or divide the fee, as it deems just; and if the petition is found to be frivolous or not brought in good faith, the guardian ad litem fee shall be charged to the petitioner. The court shall not be required to provide for the payment of a fee to any salaried employee of a public agency.

(9) Upon the presentation of the guardian ad litem report and the entry of an order either dismissing the petition for appointment of guardian or limited guardian or appointing a guardian or limited guardian, the guardian ad litem shall be dismissed and shall have no further duties or obligations unless otherwise ordered by the court. If the court orders the guardian ad litem to perform further duties or obligations, they shall not be performed at county expense.

Sec. 5. RCW 11.88.095 and 1991 c 289 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) In determining the disposition of a petition for guardianship, the court's order shall be based upon findings as to the capacities, condition, and needs of the alleged incapacitated person, and shall not be based solely upon agreements made by the parties.

(2) Every order appointing a full or limited guardian of the person or estate shall include:

(a) Findings as to the capacities, condition, and needs of the alleged incapacitated person;

(b) The amount of the bond, if any, or a bond review period;

(d) Whether the guardian ad litem shall continue acting as guardian ad litem;

(e) Whether a review hearing shall be required upon the filing of the inventory;

(f) The authority of the guardian, if any, for investment and expenditure of the ward's estate; and

(g) Names and addresses of those persons described in RCW 11.88.090(5)(d), if any, whom the court believes should receive copies of further pleadings filed by the guardian with respect to the guardianship.

(3) If the court determines that a limited guardian should be appointed, the order shall specifically set forth the limits by either stating exceptions to the otherwise full authority of the guardian or by stating the specific authority of the guardian.

(4) In determining the disposition of a petition for appointment of a guardian or limited guardian of the estate only, the court shall consider whether the alleged incapacitated person is capable of giving informed medical consent or of making other personal decisions and, if not, whether a guardian or limited guardian of the person of the alleged incapacitated person should be appointed for that purpose.

(5) Unless otherwise ordered, any powers of attorney or durable powers of attorney shall be revoked upon appointment of a guardian or limited guardian of the estate.

Unless otherwise ordered, any medical powers of attorney shall be revoked upon appointment of a guardian or limited guardian of the person.

Sec. 6. RCW 11.92.050 and 1990 c 122 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon the filing of any intermediate guardianship or limited guardianship account required by statute, or of any intermediate account required by court rule or order, the guardian or limited guardian may petition the court for an order settling his or her account with regard to any ((~~and all~~)) receipts, expenditures, and investments made and acts done by the guardian or limited guardian to the date of ((~~said~~)) the interim report. Upon such petition being filed, the court may in its discretion, where the size or condition of the estate warrants it, set a date for the hearing of ((~~such~~)) the petition and require the service of the petition and a notice of ((~~such~~)) the hearing as provided in RCW 11.88.040 as now or hereafter amended; and, in the event ((~~such~~)) a hearing ((be)) is ordered, the court ((~~shall~~)) may also appoint a guardian ad litem, whose duty it shall be to investigate the report of the guardian or limited guardian of the estate and to advise the court thereon at ((~~said~~)) the hearing, in writing. At ((~~such~~)) the hearing on ((~~said~~)) the report of the guardian or limited guardian, if the court ((be)) is satisfied that the actions of the guardian or limited guardian have been proper, and that the guardian or limited guardian has in all respects discharged his or her trust with relation to ((~~such~~)) the receipts, expenditures, investments, and acts, then, in such event, the court shall enter an order approving such account((~~, and such~~)). If the court has appointed a guardian ad litem, the order shall be final and binding upon the incapacitated person, subject only to the right of appeal as upon a final order; provided that at the time of final account of said guardian or limited guardian or within one year after ((~~said~~)) the incapacitated person attains his or her majority any such interim account may be challenged by ((~~said~~)) the incapacitated person on the ground of fraud.

(2) The procedure established in subsection (1) of this section for financial accounts by guardians or limited guardians of the estate shall apply to personal care reports filed by guardians or limited guardians of the person under RCW 11.92.043.

Sec. 7. RCW 11.92.053 and 1990 c 122 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:

Within ninety days after the termination of a guardianship for any reason ((~~other than the death of the incapacitated person intestate~~)), the guardian or limited guardian of the estate shall petition the court for an order settling his or her account as filed in accordance with RCW 11.92.040(2) with regard to any ((~~and all~~)) receipts, expenditures, and investments made and acts done by the guardian to the date of ((~~said~~)) the termination. Upon ((~~such~~)) the filing of the petition ((~~being filed~~)), the court shall set a date for the hearing of ((~~such~~)) the petition after notice has been given in accordance with RCW 11.88.040. Any person interested may file objections to ((~~such~~)) the petition or may appear at the time and place fixed for the hearing thereof and present his or her objections thereto. The court may take such testimony as it deems proper or necessary to determine whether an order settling the account should be issued and the transactions of the guardian be approved, and the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to review the report.

At ((~~such~~)) the hearing on ((~~said~~)) the petition of the guardian or limited guardian, if the court ((be)) is satisfied that the actions of the guardian or limited guardian have been proper, and that the guardian has in all respects discharged his or her trust with relation to ((~~such~~)) the receipts, expenditures, investments, and acts, then, in such event, the court shall enter an order approving ((~~such~~)) the account, and ((~~such~~)) the order shall be final and binding upon the incapacitated person, subject only to the right of appeal as upon a final order((~~: PROVIDED, That~~)). However, within one year after ((~~said~~)) the incompetent attains his or her majority any such account may be challenged by the incapacitated person on the ground of fraud.

Sec. 8. RCW 11.92.180 and 1994 c 68 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A guardian or limited guardian shall be allowed such compensation for his or her services as guardian or limited guardian as the court shall deem just and reasonable. Guardians and limited guardians shall not be compensated at county or state expense. Additional compensation may be allowed for other administrative costs, including services of an attorney and for other services not provided by the guardian or limited guardian. Where a guardian or limited guardian is an attorney, the guardian or limited guardian shall separately account for time for which compensation is requested for services as a guardian or limited guardian as contrasted to time for which compensation for legal services provided to the guardianship is requested. In all cases, compensation of the guardian or limited guardian and his or her expenses including attorney's fees shall be fixed by the court and may be allowed at any annual or final accounting; but at any time during the administration of the estate, the guardian or limited guardian or his or her attorney may apply to the court for an allowance upon the compensation or necessary expenses of the guardian or limited guardian and for attorney's fees for services already performed. If the court finds that the guardian or limited guardian has failed to discharge his or her duties as such in any respect, it may deny the guardian any compensation whatsoever or may reduce the compensation which would otherwise be allowed. Where the incapacitated person is a department of social and health services client residing in a nursing facility or in a residential or home setting and is required by the department of social and health services to contribute a portion of their income towards the cost of residential or supportive services then the department shall be entitled to notice of proceedings as described in RCW 11.92.150. Any hearings scheduled affecting the assets of the incapacitated person, available for payment towards costs of care, shall be scheduled to reasonably accommodate the presence of a representative of the department. The department is authorized to delegate a representative to offer written or oral testimony at the hearings regarding the amount of guardianship fees and additional compensation for administrative costs ((shall not exceed the amount allowed by the department of social and health services by rule, and shall not include compensation for services provided or funded by the department or a department contractor that the incapacitated person is eligible to receive)).

(2) The department of social and health services shall establish procedures to determine the position to be taken at hearings on guardianship fees and additional compensation for administrative costs that may be allowed by the court as compensation for a guardian or limited guardian.

Sec. 9. RCW 11.94.010 and 1989 c 211 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Whenever a principal designates another as his or her attorney in fact or agent, by a power of attorney in writing, and the writing contains the words "This power of attorney shall not be affected by disability of the principal," or "This power of attorney shall become effective upon the disability of the principal," or similar words showing the intent of the principal that the authority conferred shall be exercisable notwithstanding the principal's disability, the authority of the attorney in fact or agent is exercisable on behalf of the principal as provided notwithstanding later disability or incapacity of the principal at law or later uncertainty as to whether the principal is dead or alive. All acts done by the attorney in fact or agent pursuant to the power during any period of disability or incompetence or uncertainty as to whether the principal is dead or alive have the same effect and inure to the benefit of and bind the principal or the principal's guardian or heirs, devisees, and personal representative as if the principal were alive, competent, and not disabled. A principal may nominate, by a durable power of attorney, the guardian or limited guardian of his or her estate or person for consideration by the court if protective proceedings for the principal's person or estate are thereafter commenced. The court shall make its appointment in accordance with the principal's most recent nomination in a durable power of attorney except for good cause or disqualification. If a guardian thereafter is appointed for the principal, the attorney in fact or agent, during the continuance of the appointment, shall account to the guardian rather than the principal. The guardian has the same power the principal would have had if the principal were not disabled or incompetent, to revoke, suspend or terminate all or any part of the power of attorney or agency.

(2) Persons shall place reasonable reliance on any determination of disability or incompetence as provided in the instrument that specifies the time and the circumstances under which the power of attorney document becomes effective.

(3) A principal may authorize his or her attorney-in-fact to provide informed consent for health care decisions on the principal's behalf. Unless he or she is the spouse, or adult child or brother or sister of the principal, none of the following persons may act as the attorney-in-fact for the principal: Any of the principal's physicians, the physicians' employees, or the owners, administrators, or employees of the health care facility where the principal resides or receives care. This authorization is subject to the same limitations as those that apply to a guardian under RCW ((~~11.92.040(3) (a) through (d)~~)) 11.92.043(5) (a) through (c).