House passes bill to expand guardianship, allowing licensed private providers under court supervision

Representative Bradshaw told the House the story of "Ethel" to illustrate why the state needs expanded guardianship and conservatorship services and presented the second substitute for House Bill 300.

The bill would allow qualified private providers — subject to court supervision and professional licensure requirements — to be appointed as guardians or conservators for people who lack family or bank alternatives. Sponsor testimony noted that banks do not economically manage small accounts (for example, under $100,000), leaving some vulnerable adults without viable fiduciary options. Bradshaw and supporters said the measure had been studied and amended with input from the Utah State Bar, the Utah Nursing Association, community-service groups, the attorney general's office and institutions serving the elderly and disabled.

Members asked questions about the priority order for appointment (family members, spouse, close relatives, then qualified professionals) and about whether the bill ends guardianship when someone leaves an institutional facility; the sponsor clarified that commitments and re-admissions are governed by other parts of state law and, in some cases, would require separate court proceedings. The sponsor also said the bill had been refined to address concerns raised in committee and during floor discussion.

The House adopted the second substitute and approved the bill in a floor vote recorded by the Speaker as 67 yes, 0 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

Ending: The sponsor said the new licensure and court-supervision framework is intended to protect vulnerable adults while expanding options beyond banks for small estates and accounts. The bill now moves to the Senate.