Bill > HB2359

This bill enacts the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act, which comprehensively updates Kansas law regarding guardianship and conservatorship for both minors and adults. The bill provides detailed guidelines for establishing, maintaining, and terminating guardianships and conservatorships, with a strong emphasis on preserving the rights and self-determination of individuals subject to these arrangements. Key provisions include establishing clear jurisdictional rules for guardianship proceedings, requiring courts to consider less restrictive alternatives before appointing a guardian or conservator, mandating that guardians and conservators promote the individual's self-determination and independence, and creating robust reporting and oversight mechanisms. The bill introduces more detailed definitions of terms like "guardian," "conservator," and "incapacitated person," and provides specific protections for individuals' rights, such as the right to an attorney, the right to participate in decision-making, and protection against unnecessary loss of personal freedoms. The new law aims to balance the need to protect vulnerable individuals with respect for their autonomy, and it will take effect on January 1, 2026, replacing the existing guardianship and conservatorship statutes.

Justice

Judiciary (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2359/