HB3376 - Relating to training on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related disorders for certain guardians.

      H.B. No. 3376         AN ACT   relating to training on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related   disorders for certain guardians.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 155.203(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  In adopting rules under this section, the supreme court   shall ensure that :                 (1)   the commission is required to provide confirmation   of a person's completion of the training required by Section   155.204(a)(1) and a copy of the person's criminal history   background check to the probate court not later than the 10th day   before the date of the hearing to appoint a guardian ; and                 (2)     a probate court is required to ensure a guardian's   timely completion of the training required by Section   155.204(a)(2), unless the training is waived by the probate court   as provided by Section 155.204(a)(3) .          SECTION 2.  Section 155.204, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as   follows:          (a)  In adopting rules under Section 155.203, the supreme   court shall:                (1)  subject to Subdivision (3) [ (2) ], ensure that   before a person is appointed guardian, the person completes a   training course:                      (A)  designed by the commission to educate   proposed guardians about their responsibilities as guardians,   alternatives to guardianships, supports and services available to   the proposed ward, and a ward's bill of rights under Section   1151.351, Estates Code; and                      (B)  made available for free to proposed guardians   by the commission online via the commission's Internet website and,   on request, in a written format; [ and ]                (2)   subject to Subdivision (3) and Subsection (a-1),   require that not later than the sixth month after the date a   guardian is appointed and at least once a year, the guardian   completes a one-hour training course:                       (A)     provided to educate guardians on Alzheimer's   disease, dementia, and related disorders, including providing   information about:                             (i)  common aspects of aging;                               (ii)     warning signs of dementia and   Alzheimer's disease;                               (iii)     effective strategies for   communicating with a person who is diagnosed with dementia or   Alzheimer's disease; and                             (iv)     effective strategies and resources   available for supporting a person who is diagnosed with dementia or   Alzheimer's disease in exercising the person's rights; and                       (B)     made available for free to guardians by the   commission online via the commission's Internet website; and                 (3)   identify the circumstances under which a court may   waive the training required under this section.           (a-1)     Subsection (a)(2) applies only to the appointment of a   guardian of the person or the estate, or both, of a ward who is:                 (1)  60 years of age or older; or                   (2)     younger than 60 years of age if the ward has been   diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or a related   disorder.          SECTION 3.  (a)  Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas   Supreme Court shall adopt the rules required under Sections 155.203   and 155.204, Government Code, as amended by this Act.          (b)  Not later than July 1, 2026, the Judicial Branch   Certification Commission shall make available on the commission's   Internet website the course required by Section 155.204(a)(2),   Government Code, as amended by this Act.          (c)  Notwithstanding Section 155.204(a), Government Code, as   amended by this Act, a guardian appointed before July 1, 2026, who   is required to complete the training required by Section   155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as amended by this Act, shall   complete the initial training required by that section not later   than September 1, 2026.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 3376 was passed by the House on April   29, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 126, Nays 19, 1 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 3376 was passed by the Senate on May   20, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 4.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor