Bill H.2181

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2546 FILED ON: 1/20/2011

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2181

By Ms. Gobi of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2181) of Anne M. Gobi relative to uniform adult guardianship. The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act regarding uniform adult guardianship.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. (a) Following the appointment of a guardian or conservator or entry of another protective order, the court making the appointment or entering the order may transfer the proceeding to a court in or another county in this state or in the case of a minor to another state if the court is satisfied that a transfer will serve the best interest of the ward or protected person.

(b) A guardian of a minor, conservator of a minor, or like fiduciary for a minor

appointed in another state may petition the court for appointment as a guardian or

conservator in this state if the state has jurisdiction. The appointment may be made upon proof of appointment in the other state and presentation of a certified copy of the portion of the court record in the other state specified by the court in this state. Notice of hearing on the petition, together with a copy of the petition, must be given to the ward or protected person, if the ward or protected person has attained 14 years of age, and to the persons who would be entitled to notice if the regular procedures for appointment of a guardian or conservator under this article were applicable. The court shall make the appointment in this state unless it concludes that the appointment would not be in the best interest of

the ward or protected person. Upon the filing of an acceptance of office and any required bond, the court shall issue appropriate letters of guardianship or conservatorship. Within 14 days after an appointment, the guardian or conservator shall send or deliver a copy of the order of appointment to the ward or protected person, if the ward or protected person has attained 14 years of age, and to all persons given notice of the hearing on the petition.

SECTION 2. Definitions.

(a) "Adult" means an individual who has attained 18 years of age.

(b) "Conservator" means a person appointed by the court to administer the property

of an adult.

the person of an adult.

(d) "Guardianship order" means an order appointing a guardian.

(e) "Guardianship proceeding" means a judicial proceeding in which an order for the

appointment of a guardian is sought or has been issued.

(f) "Incapacitated person" means an adult for whom a guardian has been appointed.

(g) "Party" means the respondent, petitioner, guardian, conservator, or any other

person allowed by the court to participate in a guardianship or protective proceeding.

(h) "Person," except in the term incapacitated person or protected person, means an

individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(i) "Protected person" means an adult for whom a protective order has been issued.

(j) "Protective order" means an order appointing a conservator or any other order

related to management of an adult's property.

(k) "Protective proceeding" means a judicial proceeding in which an protective

order is sought or has been issued.

(l) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is

stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(m) "Respondent" means an adult for whom a protective order or the appointment

of a guardian is sought.

(n) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the

commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

SECTION 3. A court of this state may treat a foreign country as if it were a state for the purpose of applying the Sections of this Act.

SECTION 4. (a) A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a proceeding arising under the Sections of this Act. The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), the court shall make a record of the communication. The record may be limited to the fact that the communication occurred.

other administrative matters without making a record.

SECTION 5. (a) In a guardianship or protective proceeding in this state, a court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to do any one or more of the following:

(1) hold an evidentiary hearing;

(2) order a person in that state to produce evidence or give testimony pursuant to

procedures of that state;

(3) order that an evaluation or assessment be made of the respondent;

(4) order any appropriate investigation of a person involved in a proceeding;

(5) forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript or other record of a hearing under clause (1) or any other proceeding, any evidence otherwise produced under clause (2), and any evaluation or assessment prepared in compliance with an order under clause (3) or (4);

(6) issue any order necessary to assure the appearance in the proceeding of a

person whose presence is necessary for the court to make a determination, including the respondent or the incapacitated or protected person; and

(7) issue an order authorizing the release of medical, financial, criminal, or other

relevant information in that state, including protected health information as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 164.504.

(b) If a court of another state in which a guardianship or protective proceeding is pending requests assistance of the kind provided in paragraph (a), a court of this state has jurisdiction for the limited purpose of granting the request or making reasonable efforts to comply with the request.

SECTION 6. (a) In a guardianship or protective proceeding, in addition to other procedures that may be available, testimony of a witness who is located in another state may be offered by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a witness be taken in another

state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony

is to be taken.

(b) In a guardianship or protective proceeding, a court in this state may permit a

witness located in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone or audiovisual or other electronic means. A court of this state shall cooperate with the court of the other state in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the best evidence rule.

SECTION 7. (a ) For purposes of this Act: (1) "emergency" means a circumstance that likely will result in substantial harm to

a respondent's health, safety, or welfare, and for which the appointment of a guardian is necessary because no other person has authority and is willing to act on the respondent's behalf;

(2) "home state" means the state in which the respondent was physically present,

including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months

immediately before the filing of a petition for a protective order or the appointment of a guardian; or if none, the state in which the respondent was physically present, including any period of temporary absence, for at least six consecutive months ending within the six months prior to the filing of the petition; and

(3) "significant-connection state" means a state, other than the home state, with

which a respondent has a significant connection other than mere physical presence and in which substantial evidence concerning the respondent is available.

(b) In determining whether a respondent has a significant connection with a particular state, the court shall consider:

(1) the location of the respondent's family and other persons required to be notified of the guardianship or protective proceeding;

(2) the length of time the respondent at any time was physically present in the state and the duration of any absence;

(3) the location of the respondent's property; and

(4) the extent to which the respondent has ties to the state such as voting registration, state or local tax return filing, vehicle registration, driver's license, social relationship, and receipt of services.

SECTION 8.

A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for a respondent if:

(1) this state is the respondent's home state;

(2) on the date the petition is filed, this state is a significant-connection state and: (i) the respondent does not have a home state or a court of the respondent's home

state has declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum; or (ii) the respondent has a home state, a petition for an appointment or order is not pending in a court of that state or another significant-connection state, and, before the court makes the appointment or issues the order:

(A) a petition for an appointment or order is not filed in the respondent's home state;

(B) an objection to the court's jurisdiction is not filed by a person required to be notified of the proceeding; and

(3) this state does not have jurisdiction under either clause (1) or (2), the respondent's home state and all significant-connection states have declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is the more appropriate forum, and jurisdiction in this state is consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States; or

(4) the requirements for special jurisdiction under this Act are met.

SECTION 9. (a) A court of this state has jurisdiction to do any of the following:

(1) appoint a guardian in an emergency for a term not exceeding 90 days for a

respondent who is physically present in this state;

(2) issue a protective order with respect to real or tangible personal property located

in this state; and

(3) appoint a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated or protected person for

whom a provisional order to transfer the proceeding from another state has been issued under procedures similar to this Act.

(b) If a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency is brought in this

state and this state was not the respondent's home state on the date the petition was filed, the court shall dismiss the proceeding at the request of the court of the home state, if any, whether dismissal is requested before or after the emergency appointment.

SECTION 10. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a court that has appointed a guardian or issued a protective order consistent with state law has exclusive and continuing jurisdiction over the proceeding until it is terminated by the court or the appointment or order expires by its own terms.

SECTION 11. (a) A court of this state having jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.

(b) If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction under paragraph (a), it

shall either dismiss or stay the proceeding. The court may impose any condition the court considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order be filed promptly in another state.

relevant factors, including:

(1) any expressed preference of the respondent;

(2) whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the respondent has occurred or is likely to occur and which state could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

(3) the length of time the respondent was physically present in or was a legal

resident of this or another state;

(4) the distance of the respondent from the court in each state;

(5) the financial circumstances of the respondent's estate;

(6) the nature and location of the evidence;

(7) the ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present evidence;

(8) the familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the

proceeding; and

(9) if an appointment were made, the court's ability to monitor the conduct of the guardian or conservator.

SECTION 12. (a) If at any time a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order because of unjustifiable conduct, the court may:

(1) decline to exercise jurisdiction;

(2) exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of fashioning an appropriate

remedy to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the respondent or the protection of the respondent's property or prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in a court of another state having jurisdiction; or

(3) continue to exercise jurisdiction after considering:

(i) the extent to which the respondent and all persons required to be notified of the proceedings have acquiesced in the exercise of the court's jurisdiction;

(ii) whether it is a more appropriate forum than the court of any other state under the factors set forth in this Act; and

(iii) whether the court of any other state would have jurisdiction under factual

circumstances in substantial conformity within the jurisdictional standards.

(b) If a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order because a party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in unjustifiable conduct, it may assess against that party necessary and reasonable expenses, including attorney fees, investigative fees, court costs, communication expenses, witness fees and expenses, and travel expenses. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses of any kind against this state or a governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state unless authorized by law.

SECTION 13. If a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is brought in this state and this state was not the respondent's home state on the date the petition was filed, in addition to complying with the notice requirements of this state, notice of the petition must be given to those persons who would be entitled to notice of the petition if a proceeding were brought in the respondent's home state. The notice must be given in the same manner as notice is required to be given in this state.

SECTION 14. Except for a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency or issuance of a protective order limited to property located in this state, if a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in this state and in another state and neither petition has been dismissed or withdrawn, the following rules apply:

(1) If the court in this state has jurisdiction, it may proceed

with the case unless a court in another state acquires jurisdiction before the appointment or issuance of the order.

(2) If the court in this state does not have jurisdiction, whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time before the appointment or issuance of the order, the court shall stay the proceeding and communicate with the court in the other state. If the court in the other state has jurisdiction, the court in this state shall dismiss the petition unless the court in the other state determines that the court in this state is a more appropriate forum.

SECTION 15. (a) A guardian or conservator appointed in this state may petition the court to transfer the guardianship or conservatorship to another state.

(b) Notice of a petition under paragraph (a) must be given to the persons that

would be entitled to notice of a petition in this state for the appointment of a guardian or conservator.

incapacitated or protected person, or other person required to be notified of the petition, the court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to paragraph (a).

(d) The court shall issue an order provisionally granting a petition to transfer a

guardianship and shall direct the guardian to petition for guardianship in the other state if the court is satisfied that the guardianship will be accepted by the court in the other state and the court finds that:

(1) the incapacitated person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move permanently to the other state;

(2) an objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the incapacitated person; and

(3) plans for care and services for the incapacitated person in the other state are reasonable and sufficient.

(e) The court shall issue a provisional order granting a petition to transfer a

conservatorship and shall direct the conservator to petition for conservatorship in the

other state if the court is satisfied that the conservatorship will be accepted by the court of the other state and the court finds that:

(1) the protected person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move permanently to the other state, or the protected person has a significant connection to the other state considering the factors in section 524.5-701, paragraph (b);

(2) an objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the protected person; and

(3) adequate arrangements will be made for management of the protected person's property.

(f) The court shall issue a final order confirming the transfer and terminating the

guardianship or conservatorship upon its receipt of:

(1) a provisional order accepting the proceeding from the court to which the

proceeding is to be transferred; and

(2) the documents required to terminate a guardianship or conservatorship in this state.

SECTION 16. (a) To confirm transfer of a guardianship or conservatorship transferred to this state, the guardian or conservator must petition the court in this state to accept the guardianship or conservatorship. The petition must include a certified copy of the other state's provisional order of transfer.

(b) Notice of a petition under paragraph (a) must be given to those persons that

would be entitled to notice if the petition were a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order in both the transferring state and this state. The notice must be given in the same manner as notice is required to be given in this state.

incapacitated or protected person, or other person required to be notified of the proceeding, the court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to paragraph (a).

(d) The court shall issue an order provisionally granting a petition filed under

paragraph (a) unless:

(1) an objection is made and the objector establishes that transfer of the proceeding

would be contrary to the interests of the incapacitated or protected person; or

(2) the guardian or conservator is ineligible for appointment in this state.

(e) The court shall issue a final order accepting the proceeding and appointing the

guardian or conservator as guardian or conservator in this state upon its receipt from

the court from which the proceeding is being transferred of a final order issued under

provisions transferring the proceeding to this state.

(f) Not later than 90 days after issuance of a final order accepting transfer of a

guardianship or conservatorship, the court shall determine whether the guardianship or conservatorship needs to be modified to conform to the law of this state.

(g) In granting a petition under this section, the court shall recognize a guardianship

or conservatorship order from the other state, including the determination of the

incapacitated or protected person's incapacity and the appointment of the guardian or

conservator.

(h) The denial by a court of this state of a petition to accept a guardianship or

conservatorship transferred from another state does not affect the ability of the guardian or conservator to seek appointment as guardian or conservator in this state under this Act if the court has jurisdiction to make an appointment other than by reason of the provisional order of transfer.

SECTION 17. If a guardian has been appointed in another state and a petition for the appointment of a guardian is not pending in this state, the guardian appointed in the other state, after giving notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the guardianship order in this state by filing as a foreign judgment in a court, in any appropriate county of this state, certified copies of the order and letters of office.

SECTION 18. If a conservator has been appointed in another state and a petition for a protective order is not pending in this state, the conservator appointed in the other state, after giving notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the protective order in this state by filing as a foreign judgment in a court of this state, in any county in which property belonging to the protected person is located, certified copies of the order and letters of office and of any bond.

SECTION 19. (a) Upon registration of a guardianship or protective order from another state, the guardian or conservator may exercise in this state all powers authorized in the order of appointment except as prohibited under the laws of this state, including maintaining actions and proceedings in this state and, if the guardian or conservator is not a resident of this state, subject to any conditions imposed upon nonresident parties.

(b) A court of this state may grant relief to enforce a registered order.

Name:	District/Address:	Date Added:
Anne M. Gobi	5th Worcester	1/20/2011