Bill > HB4849

This bill amends sections of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code related to guardianship procedures. The key provisions include: - Requiring the court to hold an initial hearing on a petition for guardianship and set a trial date if the allegedly incapacitated individual objects or requests a trial. The court must also enter orders to facilitate the individual's attendance at the trial if they wish to attend. - Expanding the required contents of the court-ordered evaluation report, including assessments of the individual's cognitive and functional abilities, any existing advance directives or representatives, and the recommendations of a visitor (if applicable). - Clarifying the standards for appointing a guardian, including requiring the court to dismiss the proceeding if the necessary findings cannot be made by clear and convincing evidence. - Granting the individual a comprehensive list of rights throughout the guardianship process, including the rights to object, have an independent evaluation, attend the hearing, and seek modification or termination of the guardianship. - Revising the procedures for appointing an emergency guardian, including allowing ex parte appointments in certain imminent-harm situations. The bill ties its enactment to the passage of several other related bills on guardianship and conservatorship.