Today SB634, Guardianship, by State Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) passed the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs with unanimous support. The bill reflects a cooperative effort with the Clerks of Court to provide additional scrutiny over guardians entrusted with vulnerable citizens.
“The vast majority of guardians in our state do wonderful work. However, we must have common sense safeguards in place,” stated Senator Brandes. “One of our most important functions in government is to protect our most vulnerable citizens and I think that this issue deserves our steadfast attention.”
“I am honored to work with Senator Brandes in addressing this very serious issue,” stated Representative Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) who is sponsoring HB635 as the companion measure in the House of Representatives. “Throughout the State of Florida some of our most vulnerable citizens are being victimized by the very individuals appointed to protect their interests. This bill will allow the courts to fully audit guardianship accounts to confirm that expenditures are proper and lawful.”
“The protection of our most vulnerable is amongst the highest priorities of public servants,” said Sarasota Clerk of Court Karen Rushing, who also serves as the legislative chair of Florida’s Court Clerks and Comptrollers. “Today, we’ve taken a big first step towards demanding more accountability and curbing abuse by those who would hold their own self-interests above the interests of those they’ve sworn to protect.”
The bill will give Clerks of Court greater authority to require audits of guardians and requires that audits are performed according to professional standards. The bill further requires criminal and credit background checks of guardians before assignment to a case. Finally, the bill allows for the removal of a guardian from a case for failure to submit to audits.
Source:
Source:
Press Release from Senator Brandes' Office: Guardianship Reform Bill Passes Committee Unanimously
See Also:
Information on the Bill
Watch the Video of the Hearing
See Also:
Information on the Bill
Watch the Video of the Hearing