SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to protect those needing a guardianship has been signed into law.
“We are seeing instances of those needing guardians being taken advantage of by greedy organizations, that kind of behavior cannot be allowed to continue in our state,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I am pleased to see this law establish commonsense rules around who can be a private professional guardian so we ensure only qualified people are performing this important role.”
Halpin’s law will provide multiple guardrails to ensure private professional guardians are qualified. These include having a personal meeting with the respondent prior to appointment, background checks, certifications, fee disclosures and financial management standards. The law will impose reporting obligations and allow for court removal due to noncompliance.
The Chicago Tribune identified cases where patients with assets that were ordered into conservatorship were taken advantage of by one particular management organization assigned as guardian. In many cases, the care management organization "then benefited from providing months or years of services funded by the former patient."
“These folks are vulnerable and the state is stepping in to ensure their guardians are qualified and have a good heart,” said Halpin.
House Bill 3811 was signed into law Friday.
