Committee hears guardianship overhaul that would move program to judiciary, adds investigators and staff; budget decision delayed

The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division on Thursday heard detailed budget and implementation briefings for Senate Bill 2029, the guardianship bill that would move guardianship programs from the Department of Human Services to a new Office of Guardianship under the judiciary and create new investigative and administrative positions. Committee members agreed to delay final budget action until the policy committee can explain the policy choices behind the bill.

Why it matters: SB 2029 would change which branch administers guardianship services, shift multiple funding lines and add staff and investigators to oversee guardianships statewide. That would alter agency budgets and staffing, increase several line items that have been underfunded, and create new statewide investigative authority for suspected criminal conduct in guardianship cases.

Sally, a judiciary staff member who briefed the committee, said the bills budget language consolidates existing, scattered funding and would create an Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship under the Supreme Court. Her explanation to the panel outlined several…