Bill > HB3011

This bill modifies how guardians and conservators are appointed for individuals deemed incapacitated or disabled. A guardian oversees the personal well-being of an incapacitated person, while a conservator manages the finances of a disabled person. The bill prioritizes certain individuals for appointment, starting with the person's own nomination if they can communicate a choice, followed by nominations in a durable power of attorney or a written instrument signed before incapacity, then close family members like spouses, parents, adult children, and siblings, and finally, nominees in a will. Unrelated third parties will only be appointed if no suitable family member or nominee is available or if it's in the protected person's best interest. For individuals under the care of the children's division entering adult guardianship, there's a presumption that no suitable relative is available. The bill also introduces mandatory background checks, including criminal history and abuse registries, for most prospective guardians and conservators, at their own expense, with exceptions for public administrators and immediate family members like spouses, parents, grandparents, adult children, and adult siblings. These background check results must be filed with the court before an appointment is finalized, though the court can waive these requirements for good cause or in emergency situations.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3011&year=2026&code=R