CHAPTER 302
FORMERLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 303
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend § 3981, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 3981. Office established; appointment.
(a) There is established an Office of the Public Guardian, with a Public Guardian who shall serve as the guardian of last resort for the citizens of Delaware who have been determined to lack capacity to make decisions regarding their persons, their property, or both.
(b) The Public Guardian shall advocate and provide guardianship services for individuals who are incapacitated, work with advocacy groups and state agencies to promote systemic reform and recommend changes in the law, procedure and policy necessary to enhance the provision of guardianship services, and act as an informational resource for the public. The Public Guardian shall serve as Executive Director of the Delaware Guardianship Commission and promote the purposes of the Commission, and shall represent the Office of the Public Guardian in matters in which the appointment of the Public Guardian is sought.
(c) To bring about these goals, the Public Guardian must be an attorney duly licensed to practice law in Delaware, selected by the Governor, and shall serve for a term of 6 years from the date of appointment swearing in.
Section 2. This Act shall take effect upon its enactment into law.
Approved July 11, 2016