Amendment #155 to H4000

Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight

Mr. Stanley of Waltham moves to amend the bill by adding the following sections:

"SECTION XXXX.  Section 1 of Chapter 215 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following paragraph:-

There shall be an Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight within the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court to increase court oversight of guardians and conservators and guardian and conservator arrangements to protect older adults and adults with disabilities from abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. Within said office there shall be an ombudsperson who shall work across the divisions of the court to assist with the scheduling or expediting of cases before the courts or assist with other procedures, among other responsibilities.

SECTION XXXX. Said Chapter 215 of the general laws, is hereby further amended by inserting after section 63 the following section:-

Section 64. Probate courts may schedule weekly or bi-weekly block sessions of healthcare cases for matters within their jurisdiction addressing the appointment or expansion of guardians, conservators, health care proxies or other matters that may be placed within their jurisdiction.

SECTION XXXX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services or a designee, in conjunction with the Administrative Office of the Trial Court, shall develop a public outreach campaign to recruit individuals including, but not limited to, retired attorneys, doctors, nurses, and social workers to serve as guardians and conservators for patients who have no identified persons to serve in these roles on their behalf. In the development of said outreach campaign, the Secretary shall consult with the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Inc., Honoring Choices Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Guardianship Policy Institute, Massachusetts Bar Association, and other organizations that serve in roles to support guardians and conservators."

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #155 to H4000

Office of Adult Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight