BILL REQ. #:  S-1697.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/21/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to preventing predatory guardianships of incapacitated adults; amending RCW 11.88.030, 11.88.040, 11.88.120, 11.88.090, and 43.190.060; and adding a new section to chapter 2.56 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 11.88.030 and 2009 c 521 s 36 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 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, marriage, or state registered domestic partnership 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;
     (i) A description of any alternate arrangements previously made by the alleged incapacitated person, such as trusts or powers of attorney, including identifying any guardianship nominations contained in a power of attorney, and why a guardianship is nevertheless necessary;
     (j) 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;
     (k) The requested term of the limited guardianship to be included in the court's order of appointment;
     (l) 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 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:

Sec. 2   RCW 11.88.040 and 2008 c 6 s 803 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) 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 upon the alleged incapacitated person, if over fourteen years of age, and served upon the guardian ad litem.
     (2) Before appointing a guardian or a limited guardian, notice of a hearing, to be held not less than ((ten)) fifteen days after service thereof, ((shall)) the name of the person who the court or guardian ad litem proposes to be appointed as guardian or limited guardian, a copy of the petition for appointment of guardian, and the statement of the legal rights of the alleged incapacitated person that could be restricted or transferred to a guardian by a guardianship order must 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))) (a) The alleged incapacitated person, or minor, if under fourteen years of age;
     (((2))) (b) A parent, if the alleged incapacitated person is a minor, all known children not residing with a notified person, and the spouse or domestic partner of the alleged incapacitated person if any;
     (((3))) (c) 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))) (a) and (b) of this subsection if they have signed the petition for the appointment of the guardian or limited guardian or have waived notice of the hearing.
     (((4))) (3) 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.
     (4) The alleged incapacitated person shall be present in court at the final hearing on the petition((: PROVIDED, That)). However, 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.
     (5) 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 11.88.120 and 1991 c 289 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) At any time after establishment of a guardianship or appointment of a guardian, the court may, upon the death of the guardian or limited guardian, or, for other good reason, modify or terminate the guardianship or replace the guardian or limited guardian.
     (2) Any person, including an incapacitated person, may apply to the court for an order to modify or terminate a guardianship or to replace a guardian or limited guardian.
     (a) If applicants are represented by counsel, counsel shall move for an order to show cause why the relief requested should not be granted.
     (b) If applicants are not represented by counsel, they may move for an order to show cause, or they may deliver a written request to the clerk of the court, which must be considered by the court as the equivalent of a motion for an order to show cause.
     (3) By the next judicial day after receipt of ((an unrepresented)) a person's request to modify or terminate a guardianship order, or to replace a guardian or limited guardian, the clerk shall deliver the request to the court. The court ((may (a))) must direct the clerk to schedule a hearing((, (b))) on the request and mail notice to the guardian, the incapacitated person, the applicant, all counsel of record, and any other person entitled to receive notice of proceedings in the matter, except that the court may deny the application without scheduling a hearing, if it appears based on documents in the court file that the application is frivolous. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate the issues raised by the application or to take any emergency action the court deems necessary to protect the incapacitated person until a hearing can be held((, or (c) deny the application without scheduling a hearing, if it appears based on documents in the court file that the application is frivolous)). Any denial of an application without a hearing shall be in writing with the reasons for the denial explained. A copy of the order shall be mailed by the clerk to the applicant, to the guardian, and to any other person entitled to receive notice of proceedings in the matter. ((Unless within thirty days after receiving the request from the clerk the court directs otherwise, the clerk shall schedule a hearing on the request and mail notice to the guardian, the incapacitated person, the applicant, all counsel of record, and any other person entitled to receive notice of proceedings in the matter.))
     (4) In a hearing on an application to modify or terminate a guardianship, or to replace a guardian or limited guardian, the court may grant such relief as it deems just and in the best interest of the incapacitated person. A professional guardian shall have the burden of proving that he or she has met his or her fiduciary duties and professional and ethical duties as proscribed by the certified professional guardian board.
     (5) If the applicant petitioning the court to remove a guardian is the person or persons who originally petitioned the court to establish the guardianship, the guardian is a professional guardian, and the application is received within the first year of the guardianship, then the court must grant the request and appoint a new guardian, unless the request appears to be frivolous, based on an improper motive, or it appears that granting the request would result in a substantial detriment to the incapacitated person. Relief under this subsection cannot be requested for any subsequent guardian.
     (6) The court may order persons who have been removed as guardians to deliver any property or records belonging to the incapacitated person in accordance with the court's order. Similarly, when guardians have died or been removed and property or records of an incapacitated person are being held by any other person, the court may order that person to deliver it in accordance with the court's order. Disobedience of an order to deliver shall be punishable as contempt of court.

Sec. 4   RCW 11.88.090 and 2008 c 6 s 804 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 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 or her behalf.
     (2) Prior to the appointment of a guardian or a limited guardian, whenever it appears that the incapacitated person or incapacitated person's estate could benefit from mediation and such mediation would likely result in overall reduced costs to the estate, upon the motion of the alleged incapacitated person or the guardian ad litem, or subsequent to such appointment, whenever it appears that the incapacitated person or incapacitated person's estate could benefit from mediation and such mediation would likely result in overall reduced costs to the estate, upon the motion of any interested person, the court may:
     (a) Require any party or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the court to participate in mediation;
     (b) Establish the terms of the mediation; and
     (c) Allocate the cost of the mediation ((pursuant to RCW 11.96.140)).
     (3)(a) 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))) (i) Be free of influence from anyone interested in the result of the proceeding; and
     (((b))) (ii) Have the requisite knowledge, training, or expertise to perform the duties required by this section.
     (b) The guardian ad litem shall within five days of receipt of notice of appointment file with the court and serve, either personally or by certified mail with return receipt, each party with a statement including: His or her training relating to the duties as a guardian ad litem; his or her criminal history as defined in RCW 9.94A.030 for the period covering ten years prior to the appointment; his or her hourly rate, if compensated; whether the guardian ad litem has had any contact with a party to the proceeding prior to his or her appointment; and whether he or she has an apparent conflict of interest. Within three days of the later of the actual service or filing of the guardian ad litem's statement, any party may set a hearing and file and serve a motion for an order to show cause why the guardian ad litem should not be removed for one of the following three reasons: (i) Lack of expertise necessary for the proceeding; (ii) an hourly rate higher than what is reasonable for the particular proceeding; or (iii) a conflict of interest. Notice of the hearing shall be provided to the guardian ad litem and all parties. If, after a hearing, the court enters an order replacing the guardian ad litem, findings shall be included, expressly stating the reasons for the removal. If the guardian ad litem is not removed, the court has the authority to assess to the moving party, attorneys' fees and costs related to the motion. The court shall assess attorneys' fees and costs for frivolous motions.
     (c) 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.
     (4)(a) The superior court of each county shall develop and maintain a registry of persons who are willing and qualified to serve as guardians ad litem in guardianship matters. The court shall choose as guardian ad litem a person whose name appears on the registry in a system of consistent rotation, except in extraordinary circumstances such as the need for particular expertise. The court shall develop procedures for periodic review of the persons on the registry and for probation, suspension, or removal of persons on the registry for failure to perform properly their duties as guardian ad litem. In the event the court does not select the person next on the list, it shall include in the order of appointment a written reason for its decision.
     (b) To be eligible for the registry a person shall:
     (i) Present a written statement outlining his or her background and qualifications. The background statement shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:
     (A) Level of formal education;
     (B) Training related to the guardian ad litem's duties;
     (C) Number of years' experience as a guardian ad litem;
     (D) Number of appointments as a guardian ad litem and the county or counties of appointment;
     (E) Criminal history, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030; and
     (F) Evidence of 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.
     The written statement of qualifications shall include the names of any counties in which the person was removed from a guardian ad litem registry pursuant to a grievance action, and the name of the court and the cause number of any case in which the court has removed the person for cause; and
     (ii) Complete the training as described in (e) of this subsection. The training is not applicable to guardians ad litem appointed pursuant to special proceeding Rule 98.16W.
     (c) Superior court shall remove any person from the guardian ad litem registry who misrepresents his or her qualifications pursuant to a grievance procedure established by the court.
     (d) The background and qualification information shall be updated annually.
     (e) The department of social and health services shall convene an advisory group to develop a model guardian ad litem training program and shall update the program biennially. The advisory group shall consist of representatives from consumer, advocacy, and professional groups knowledgeable in developmental disabilities, neurological impairment, physical disabilities, mental illness, domestic violence, aging, legal, court administration, the Washington state bar association, and other interested parties.
     (f) The superior court shall require utilization of the model program developed by the advisory group as described in (e) 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.
     (5) The guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to this section ((shall have)) has 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;
     (c) To meet with the person whose appointment is sought as guardian or limited guardian and ascertain:
     (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 investigate alternate arrangements made, or which might be created, by or on behalf of the alleged incapacitated person, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, or blocked accounts; whether good cause exists for any such arrangements to be discontinued; and why such arrangements should not be continued or created in lieu of a guardianship;
     (f) 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 any alternative arrangements previously made by the alleged incapacitated person or which could be made, and whether and to what extent such alternatives should be used in lieu of a guardianship, and if the guardian ad litem is recommending discontinuation of any such arrangements, specific findings as to why such arrangements are contrary to the best interest of the alleged incapacitated person;
     (v) 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;
     (vi) An evaluation of the person's mental ability to rationally exercise the right to vote and the basis upon which the evaluation is made;
     (vii) Any expression of approval or disapproval made by the alleged incapacitated person concerning the proposed guardian or limited guardian or guardianship or limited guardianship;
     (viii) 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
     (ix) 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 fifteen 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 counsel, spouse or domestic partner, all children not residing with a notified person, those persons described in (f)(viii) of this subsection, and persons who have filed a request for special notice pursuant to RCW 11.92.150. If the guardian ad litem needs additional time to finalize his or her report, then the guardian ad litem shall petition the court for a postponement of the hearing or, with the consent of all other parties, an extension or reduction of time for filing the report. If the hearing does not occur within sixty days of filing the petition, then upon the two-month anniversary of filing the petition and on or before the same day of each following month until the hearing, the guardian ad litem shall file interim reports summarizing his or her activities on the proceeding during that time period as well as fees and costs incurred;
     (g) 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;
     (h) To disclose in writing to the court any prior or existing relationship, or other circumstance that would cause the appearance of a conflict of interest in the guardian ad litem's recommendation when the guardian ad litem is making a recommendation of appointment of a particular person or persons as a guardian to a court. Such disclosure must also be provided to persons receiving copies of the report as required in (f)(ix) of this subsection (5).
     (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 subsection (5)(f) of this section.
     (7) The parties to the proceeding may file responses to the guardian ad litem report with the court and deliver such responses to the other parties and the guardian ad litem at any time up to the second day prior to the hearing. If a guardian ad litem fails to file his or her report in a timely manner, the hearing shall be continued to give the court and the parties at least fifteen days before the hearing to review the report. At any time during the proceeding upon motion of any party or on the court's own motion, the court may remove the guardian ad litem for failure to perform his or her duties as specified in this chapter, provided that the guardian ad litem shall have five days' notice of any motion to remove before the court enters such order. In addition, the court in its discretion may reduce a guardian ad litem's fee for failure to carry out his or her duties.
     (8) 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.
     (9) The court-appointed guardian ad litem shall have the authority to move for temporary relief under chapter 7.40 RCW to protect the alleged incapacitated person from abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, as those terms are defined in RCW 74.34.020, or to address any other emergency needs of the alleged incapacitated person. Any alternative arrangement executed before filing the petition for guardianship shall remain effective unless the court grants the relief requested under chapter 7.40 RCW, or unless, following notice and a hearing at which all parties directly affected by the arrangement are present, the court finds that the alternative arrangement should not remain effective.
     (10) 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 the court may charge such fee to the petitioner, the alleged incapacitated person, or any person who has appeared in the action; or may allocate the fee, as it deems just. 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.
     (11) 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.
     (12) The guardian ad litem shall appear in person at all hearings on the petition unless all parties provide a written waiver of the requirement to appear.
     (13) At any hearing the court may consider whether any person who makes decisions regarding the alleged incapacitated person or estate has breached a statutory or fiduciary duty.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 2.56 RCW to read as follows:
     The administrator for the courts must publish on its web site information regarding professional and lay guardians. The purpose of the publication is to provide family members of incapacitated adults with information detailing: What a guardian is, the different types of guardianships in Washington, the powers granted to a guardian, an explanation of how professional guardian fees are approved by the court and how professional guardians may bill for their services, a description of the process to modify a guardianship or to remove a guardian, and information about the certified professional guardian board and program.

Sec. 6   RCW 43.190.060 and 1999 c 133 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A long-term care ombudsman ((shall)) must:
     (((1))) (a) Identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities relating to administrative action, inaction, or decisions which may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of these individuals;
     (((2))) (b) Monitor the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and policies with respect to long-term care facilities in this state;
     (((3))) (c) Provide information as appropriate to residents, resident representatives, and others regarding the rights of residents, and to public agencies regarding the problems of individuals residing in long-term care facilities; and
     (((4))) (d) Provide for training volunteers and promoting the development of citizen organizations to participate in the ombudsman program. A trained volunteer long-term care ombudsman, in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the state long-term care ombudsman program, shall inform residents, their representatives, and others about the rights of residents, and may identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities relating to action, inaction, or decisions, that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of these individuals.
     (2) Publish on a web site, or otherwise make available to residents, families of residents, and the public information regarding professional and lay guardians. The purpose of the publication is to provide family members of incapacitated adults with information detailing: What a guardian is, the different types of guardianships in Washington, the powers granted to a guardian, an explanation of how professional guardian fees are approved by the court and how professional guardians may bill for their services, a description of the process to modify a guardianship or to remove a guardian, and information about the certified professional guardian board and program.
     (3) Nothing in ((chapter 133, Laws of 1999 shall)) this section or RCW 43.190.065 may be construed to empower the state long-term care ombudsman or any local long-term care ombudsman with statutory or regulatory licensing or sanctioning authority.