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Senate Engrossed
guardianship proceedings; sealing of records |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session 2021
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CHAPTER 280
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SENATE BILL 1415 |
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AN ACT
Amending section 14-5304, arizona revised statutes; relating to guardianship.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 14-5304, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
14-5304. Findings; limitations; filing; fingerprinting
A. In exercising its appointment authority pursuant to this chapter, the court shall encourage the development of maximum self-reliance and independence of the incapacitated person.
B. The court may appoint a general or limited guardian as requested if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that:
1. The person for whom a guardian is sought is incapacitated.
2. The appointment is necessary to provide for the demonstrated needs of the incapacitated person.
3. The person's needs cannot be met by less restrictive means, including the use of appropriate technological assistance.
C. In conformity with the evidence regarding the extent of the ward's incapacity, the court may appoint a limited guardian and specify time limits on the guardianship and limitations on the guardian's powers.
D. The guardian shall file an acceptance of appointment with the appointing court.
E. The court may require each person who seeks appointment as a guardian to furnish a full set of fingerprints to enable the court to conduct a criminal background investigation. The court shall submit the person's completed fingerprint card to the department of public safety. The person shall bear the cost of obtaining the person's criminal history record information. The cost shall not exceed the actual cost of obtaining the person's criminal history record information. Criminal history records checks shall be conducted pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation. This subsection does not apply to a fiduciary who is licensed pursuant to section 14-5651 or an employee of a financial institution.
F. The court shall make a specific finding as to whether the appointment of a guardian is due solely to the ward's physical incapacity.
G. Unless the court makes a specific finding that the appointment of a guardian is due solely to the ward's physical incapacity under subsection F of this section, at the time of appointing a guardian, the court shall transmit the ward's name, sex and date of birth, the last four digits of the ward's social security number, if available, the court case number, the court originating agency identification number and the date of the guardian's appointment to the supreme court. The supreme court shall transmit the information to the department of public safety. The department of public safety shall transmit the information to the national instant criminal background check system.
h. If a petition for guardianship is withdrawn before an ADJUDICATION of incapacity or is denied based on a finding that the allegation of incapacity is unproven or if a petition for guardianship was filed FRIVOLOUSLY or without merit, the court may order public access to the file, the records contained in the file, or information about the file be prohibited absent a subsequent court order allowing such access after a showing of good cause.
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 23, 2021.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 23, 2021.