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S.B. 122 Enrolled

             1     

UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE

             2     
PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             6     
House Sponsor: Kay L. McIff

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill provides for the determination of jurisdiction in proceedings for guardianship
             11      and conservatorships for incapacitated adults.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    sets out procedures for determining where jurisdiction lies in guardianship and
             15      conservatorship proceedings when the parties are not all in the same state;
             16          .    provides for jurisdiction in states with a significant connection to the incapacitated
             17      person;
             18          .    defines "significant connection";
             19          .    provides for cooperation between courts of different states;
             20          .    allows for special circumstances if an incapacitated person is in a state that does not
             21      meet the "significant connection" standard;
             22          .    provides procedures for the transfer of jurisdiction to another state; and
             23          .    allows for registration of protective orders from other states.
             24      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             25          None
             26      Other Special Clauses:
             27          This act takes effect on January 1, 2009.
             28      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             29      ENACTS:


             30          75-5b-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             31          75-5b-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             32          75-5b-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             33          75-5b-104, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             34          75-5b-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          75-5b-106, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36          75-5b-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37          75-5b-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             38          75-5b-203, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39          75-5b-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40          75-5b-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41          75-5b-206, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42          75-5b-207, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43          75-5b-208, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44          75-5b-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45          75-5b-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46          75-5b-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47          75-5b-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48          75-5b-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49          75-5b-501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50          75-5b-502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51          75-5b-503, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             52     
             53      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             54          Section 1. Section 75-5b-101 is enacted to read:
             55     
CHAPTER 5b. UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND

             56     
PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT

             57     
Part 1. General Provisions


             58          75-5b-101. Title.
             59          This chapter is known as the "Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings
             60      Jurisdiction Act."
             61          Section 2. Section 75-5b-102 is enacted to read:
             62          75-5b-102. Definitions.
             63          In this chapter:
             64          (1) "Adult" means an individual who has attained 18 years of age.
             65          (2) "Conservator" means a person appointed by the court to administer the property of
             66      an adult, including a person appointed under Title 75, Chapter 5, Part 4, Protection of Property
             67      of Persons Under Disability and Minors.
             68          (3) "Emergency" means circumstances that likely will result in substantial harm to a
             69      respondent's health, safety, or welfare, and in which the appointment of a guardian is necessary
             70      because no other person has authority to and is willing to act on the respondent's behalf.
             71          (4) "Guardian" means a person appointed by the court to make decisions regarding the
             72      person of an adult, including a person appointed under Title 75, Chapter 5, Part 3, Guardians of
             73      Incapacitated Persons.
             74          (5) "Guardianship order" means an order appointing a guardian.
             75          (6) "Guardianship proceeding" means a proceeding in which an order for the
             76      appointment of a guardian is sought or has been issued.
             77          (7) "Home state" means the state in which the respondent was physically present for at
             78      least six consecutive months immediately before the filing of a petition for the appointment of a
             79      guardian or protective order. A period of temporary absence counts as part of the six-month
             80      period.
             81          (8) "Incapacitated person" means an adult for whom a guardian has been appointed.
             82          (9) "Party" means the respondent, petitioner, guardian, conservator, or any other person
             83      allowed by the court to participate in a guardianship or protective proceeding.
             84          (10) "Person," except in the terms "incapacitated person" or "protected person," means
             85      an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company,


             86      association, joint venture, government or governmental subdivision, agency or instrumentality,
             87      public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.
             88          (11) "Protected person" means an adult for whom a protective order has been made.
             89          (12) "Protective order" means an order appointing a conservator or another court order
             90      related to management of an adult's property.
             91          (13) "Protective proceeding" means a judicial proceeding in which a protective order is
             92      sought or has been issued.
             93          (14) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is
             94      stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
             95          (15) "Respondent" means an adult for whom a protective order or the appointment of a
             96      guardian is sought.
             97          (16) "Significant-connection state" means a state, other than the home state, with which
             98      a respondent has a significant connection other than mere physical presence and in which
             99      substantial evidence concerning the respondent is available.
             100          (17) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
             101      the United States Virgin Islands, a federally recognized Indian tribe, or any territory or insular
             102      possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
             103          Section 3. Section 75-5b-103 is enacted to read:
             104          75-5b-103. International application.
             105          A court of this state may treat a foreign country as if it were a state for the purpose of
             106      applying Parts 1, 2, 3, and 5 of this chapter.
             107          Section 4. Section 75-5b-104 is enacted to read:
             108          75-5b-104. Communication between courts.
             109          (1) A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a
             110      proceeding arising under this chapter. The court may allow the parties to participate in the
             111      communication. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (2), the court shall make a record
             112      of the communication. The record may be limited to the fact that the communication occurred.
             113          (2) Courts may communicate concerning schedules, calendars, court records, and other


             114      administrative matters without making a record.
             115          Section 5. Section 75-5b-105 is enacted to read:
             116          75-5b-105. Cooperation between courts.
             117          (1) In a guardianship or protective proceeding in this state, a court of this state may
             118      request the appropriate court of another state to do any of the following:
             119          (a) hold an evidentiary hearing;
             120          (b) order a person in that state to produce evidence or give testimony pursuant to
             121      procedures of that state;
             122          (c) order that an evaluation or assessment be made of the respondent;
             123          (d) order any appropriate investigation of a person involved in a proceeding;
             124          (e) forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript or other record of
             125      a hearing under Subsection (1)(a) or any other proceeding, any evidence otherwise produced
             126      under Subsection (1)(b), and any evaluation or assessment prepared in compliance with an order
             127      under Subsection (1)(c) or (d);
             128          (f) issue any order necessary to assure the appearance in the proceeding of a person
             129      whose presence is necessary for the court to make a determination, including the respondent or
             130      the incapacitated or protected person; and
             131          (g) issue an order authorizing the release of medical, financial, criminal, or other
             132      relevant information in that state, including protected health information as defined in 45 Code
             133      of Federal Regulations Section 164.504.
             134          (2) If a court of another state in which a guardianship or protective proceeding is
             135      pending requests assistance of the kind provided in Subsection (1), a court of this state has
             136      jurisdiction for the limited purpose of granting the request or making reasonable efforts to
             137      comply with the request.
             138          Section 6. Section 75-5b-106 is enacted to read:
             139          75-5b-106. Taking testimony in another state.
             140          (1) In a guardianship or protective proceeding, in addition to other procedures that may
             141      be available, testimony of a witness who is located in another state may be offered by deposition


             142      or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own
             143      motion may order that the testimony of a witness be taken in another state and may prescribe
             144      the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is to be taken.
             145          (2) In a guardianship or protective proceeding, a court in this state may permit a
             146      witness located in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual, or other
             147      electronic means. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating
             148      an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.
             149          (3) Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by
             150      technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence
             151      on an objection based on the best evidence rule.
             152          Section 7. Section 75-5b-201 is enacted to read:
             153     
Part 2. Jurisdiction

             154          75-5b-201. Exclusive basis -- Significant connection.
             155          (1) This part provides the exclusive jurisdictional basis for a court of this state to
             156      appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for an adult.
             157          (2) In determining under Section 75-5b-203 and Subsection 75-5b-301 (5) whether a
             158      respondent has a significant connection with a particular state, the court shall consider:
             159          (a) the location of the respondent's family and other persons required to be notified of
             160      the guardianship or protective proceeding;
             161          (b) the length of time the respondent at any time was physically present in the state and
             162      the duration of any absence;
             163          (c) the location of the respondent's property; and
             164          (d) the extent to which the respondent has ties to the state such as voting registration,
             165      state or local tax return filing, vehicle registration, driver license, social relationship, and receipt
             166      of services.
             167          Section 8. Section 75-5b-202 is enacted to read:
             168          75-5b-202. Jurisdiction.
             169          A court of this state has jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or issue a protective order for


             170      a respondent if:
             171          (1) this state is the respondent's home state;
             172          (2) on the date the petition is filed, this state is a significant-connection state and:
             173          (a) the respondent does not have a home state or a court of the respondent's home state
             174      has declined to exercise jurisdiction because this state is a more appropriate forum; or
             175          (b) the respondent has a home state, a petition for an appointment or order is not
             176      pending in a court of that state or another significant-connection state, and, before the court
             177      makes the appointment or issues the order:
             178          (i) a petition for an appointment or order is not filed in the respondent's home state;
             179          (ii) an objection to the court's jurisdiction is not filed by a person required to be notified
             180      of the proceeding; and
             181          (iii) the court in this state concludes that it is an appropriate forum under the factors set
             182      forth in Section 75-5b-205 ;
             183          (3) this state does not have jurisdiction under either Subsection (1) or (2), the
             184      respondent's home state and all significant-connection states have declined to exercise
             185      jurisdiction because this state is the more appropriate forum, and jurisdiction in this state is
             186      consistent with the constitutions of this state and the United States; or
             187          (4) the requirements for special jurisdiction under Section 75-5b-204 are met.
             188          Section 9. Section 75-5b-203 is enacted to read:
             189          75-5b-203. Special jurisdiction.
             190          (1) A court of this state lacking jurisdiction under Section 75-5b-202 has jurisdiction to
             191      do any of the following:
             192          (a) appoint a guardian in an emergency for a term not exceeding 90 days for a
             193      respondent who is physically present in this state;
             194          (b) issue a protective order with respect to real or tangible personal property located in
             195      this state; and
             196          (c) appoint a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated or protected person for
             197      whom a provisional order to transfer the proceeding from another state has been issued under


             198      procedures similar to Section 75-5b-301 .
             199          (2) If a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency is brought in this
             200      state and this state was not the respondent's home state on the date the petition was filed, the
             201      court shall dismiss the proceeding at the request of the court of the home state, if any, whether
             202      dismissal is requested before or after the emergency appointment.
             203          Section 10. Section 75-5b-204 is enacted to read:
             204          75-5b-204. Exclusive and continuing jurisdiction.
             205          Except as otherwise provided in Section 75-5b-203 , a court that has appointed a
             206      guardian or issued a protective order consistent with this chapter has exclusive and continuing
             207      jurisdiction over the proceeding until it is terminated by the court or the appointment or order
             208      expires by its own terms.
             209          Section 11. Section 75-5b-205 is enacted to read:
             210          75-5b-205. Declining jurisdiction if another court is a more appropriate forum.
             211          (1) A court of this state having jurisdiction under Section 75-5b-202 to appoint a
             212      guardian or issue a protective order may decline to exercise its jurisdiction if it determines at
             213      any time that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum.
             214          (2) If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction under Subsection (1), it
             215      shall either dismiss or stay the proceeding. The court may impose any other condition the court
             216      considers just and proper, including the condition that a petition for the appointment of a
             217      guardian or issuance of a protective order be promptly filed in another state.
             218          (3) In determining whether it is an appropriate forum, the court shall consider all
             219      relevant factors, including:
             220          (a) any expressed preference of the respondent;
             221          (b) whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the respondent has occurred or is likely to
             222      occur and which state could best protect the respondent from the abuse, neglect, or
             223      exploitation;
             224          (c) the length of time the respondent was physically located in or was a legal resident of
             225      this or another state;


             226          (d) the distance of the respondent from the court in each state;
             227          (e) the financial circumstances of the respondent's estate;
             228          (f) the nature and location of the evidence;
             229          (g) the ability of the court in each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the
             230      procedures necessary to present evidence;
             231          (h) the familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the proceeding;
             232      and
             233          (i) if an appointment were made, the court's ability to monitor the conduct of the
             234      guardian or conservator.
             235          Section 12. Section 75-5b-206 is enacted to read:
             236          75-5b-206. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct.
             237          (1) If at any time a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint
             238      a guardian or issue a protective order because of unjustifiable conduct, the court may:
             239          (a) decline to exercise jurisdiction;
             240          (b) exercise jurisdiction for the limited purpose of fashioning an appropriate remedy to
             241      ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the respondent or the protection of the respondent's
             242      property or prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding
             243      until a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is filed in a
             244      court of another state having jurisdiction; or
             245          (c) continue to exercise jurisdiction after considering:
             246          (i) the extent to which the respondent and all persons required to be notified of the
             247      proceedings have acquiesced in the exercise of the court's jurisdiction;
             248          (ii) whether it is a more appropriate forum than the court of any other state under the
             249      factors set forth in Subsection 75-5b-205 (3); and
             250          (iii) whether the court of any other state would have jurisdiction under factual
             251      circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of Section 75-5b-202 .
             252          (2) If a court of this state determines that it acquired jurisdiction to appoint a guardian
             253      or issue a protective order because a party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction engaged in


             254      unjustifiable conduct, it may assess against that party necessary and reasonable expenses,
             255      including attorney fees, investigative fees, court costs, communication expenses, witness fees
             256      and expenses, and travel expenses. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses of any
             257      kind against the state or a governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the state
             258      unless authorized by law other than this chapter.
             259          Section 13. Section 75-5b-207 is enacted to read:
             260          75-5b-207. Notice of proceeding.
             261          If a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a protective order is
             262      brought in this state and this state was not the respondent's home state on the date the petition
             263      was filed, in addition to complying with the notice requirements of this state, notice of the
             264      petition shall be given to those persons who would be entitled to notice of the petition if the
             265      proceeding were brought in the respondent's home state. The notice shall be given in the same
             266      manner as notice is given in this state.
             267          Section 14. Section 75-5b-208 is enacted to read:
             268          75-5b-208. Proceedings in more than one state.
             269          Except for a petition for the appointment of a guardian in an emergency or issuance of a
             270      protective order limited to property located in this state as provided in Subsection
             271      75-5b-203 (1)(a) or (b), if a petition for the appointment of a guardian or issuance of a
             272      protective order is filed in this state and in another state and neither petition has been dismissed
             273      or withdrawn, the following rules apply:
             274          (1) If the court in this state has jurisdiction under Section 75-5b-202 , it may proceed
             275      with the case unless a court in another state acquires jurisdiction under Section 75-5b-202
             276      before the appointment or issuance of the order.
             277          (2) If the court in this state does not have jurisdiction under Section 75-5b-202 ,
             278      whether at the time the petition is filed or at any time before the appointment or issuance of the
             279      order, the court shall stay the proceeding and communicate with the court in the other state. If
             280      the court in the other state has jurisdiction, the court in this state shall dismiss the petition unless
             281      the court in the other state determines that the court in this state is a more appropriate forum.


             282          Section 15. Section 75-5b-301 is enacted to read:
             283     
Part 3. Transfer of Jurisdiction

             284          75-5b-301. Transfer of guardianship or conservatorship to another state.
             285          (1) A guardian or conservator appointed in this state may petition the court to transfer
             286      the guardianship or conservatorship to another state.
             287          (2) Notice of a petition under Subsection (1) must be given to the persons that would
             288      be entitled to notice of a petition in this state for the appointment of a guardian or conservator.
             289          (3) On the court's own motion or on request of the guardian or conservator, the
             290      incapacitated or protected person, or other person required to be notified of the petition, the
             291      court shall hold a hearing on a petition filed pursuant to Subsection (1).
             292          (4) The court shall issue an order provisionally granting a petition to transfer a
             293      guardianship and shall direct the guardian to petition for guardianship in the other state if the
             294      court is satisfied that the guardianship will be accepted by the court in the other state and the
             295      court finds that:
             296          (a) the incapacitated person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move
             297      permanently to the other state;
             298          (b) an objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the
             299      objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the
             300      incapacitated person; and
             301          (c) plans for care and services for the incapacitated person in the other state are
             302      reasonable and sufficient.
             303          (5) The court shall issue a provisional order granting a petition to transfer a
             304      conservatorship and shall direct the conservator to petition for conservatorship in the other state
             305      if the court is satisfied that the conservatorship will be accepted by the court of the other state
             306      and the court finds that:
             307          (a) the protected person is physically present in or is reasonably expected to move
             308      permanently to the other state, or the protected person has a significant connection to the other
             309      state considering the factors in Subsection 75-5b-201 (2);


             310          (b) an objection to the transfer has not been made or, if an objection has been made, the
             311      objector has not established that the transfer would be contrary to the interests of the protected
             312      person; and
             313          (c) adequate arrangements will be made for management of the protected person's
             314      property.
             315          (6) The court shall issue a final order confirming the transfer and terminating the
             316      guardianship or conservatorship upon its receipt of:
             317          (a) a provisional order accepting the proceeding from the court to which the proceeding
             318      is to be transferred which is issued under provisions similar to Section 75-5b-302 ; and
             319          (b) the documents required to terminate a guardianship or conservatorship in this state.
             320          Section 16. Section 75-5b-302 is enacted to read:
             321          75-5b-302. Accepting guardianship or conservatorship transferred from another
             322      state.
             323          (1) To confirm transfer of a guardianship or conservatorship transferred to this state
             324      under provisions similar to Section 75-5b-301 , the guardian or conservator shall petition the
             325      court in this state to accept the guardianship or conservatorship. The petition shall include a
             326      certified copy of the other state's provisional order of transfer.
             327          (2) Notice of a petition under Subsection (1) shall be given by the petitioner to those
             328      persons who would be entitled to notice if the petition were a petition for the appointment of a
             329      guardian or issuance of a protective order in both the transferring state and this state. The
             330      notice shall be given in the same manner as notice is given in this state.
             331          (3) On the court's own motion or on request of the incapacitated or protected person,
             332      or other person required to be notified of the proceeding, the court shall hold a hearing on a
             333      petition filed pursuant to Subsection (1).
             334          (4) The court shall issue an order provisionally granting a petition filed under
             335      Subsection (1) unless:
             336          (a) an objection is made and the objector establishes that transfer of the proceeding
             337      would be contrary to the interests of the incapacitated or protected person; or


             338          (b) the guardian or conservator is ineligible for appointment in this state.
             339          (5) The court shall issue a final order accepting the proceeding and appointing the
             340      guardian or conservator as guardian or conservator in this state upon its receipt from the court
             341      from which the proceeding is being transferred of a final order issued under provisions similar to
             342      Section 75-5b-301 transferring the proceeding to this state.
             343          (6) Not later than 90 days after issuance of a final order accepting transfer of a
             344      guardianship or conservatorship, the court shall determine whether the guardianship or
             345      conservatorship needs to be modified to conform to the law of this state.
             346          (7) In granting a petition under this section, the court shall recognize a guardianship or
             347      conservatorship order from the other state, including the determination of the incapacitated or
             348      protected person's incapacity and the appointment of the guardian or conservator.
             349          (8) The denial by a court of this state of a petition to accept a guardianship or
             350      conservatorship transferred from another state does not affect the ability of the guardian or
             351      conservator to seek appointment as guardian or conservator in this state under Title 75, Chapter
             352      5, Part 3, Guardians of Incapacitated Persons, if the court has jurisdiction to make an
             353      appointment other than by reason of the provisional order of transfer.
             354          Section 17. Section 75-5b-401 is enacted to read:
             355     
Part 4. Registration and Recognition of Orders from Other States

             356          75-5b-401. Registration of guardianship orders.
             357          If a guardian has been appointed in another state and a petition for the appointment of a
             358      guardian is not pending in this state, the guardian appointed in the other state, after giving
             359      notice to the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the guardianship order in this
             360      state by filing certified copies of the order and letters of office as a foreign judgment in a court
             361      in any appropriate county of this state.
             362          Section 18. Section 75-5b-402 is enacted to read:
             363          75-5b-402. Registration of protective orders.
             364          If a conservator has been appointed in another state and a petition for a protective order
             365      is not pending in this state, the conservator appointed in the other state, after giving notice to


             366      the appointing court of an intent to register, may register the protective order in this state by
             367      filing as a foreign judgment in a court of this state, in any county in which property belonging to
             368      the protected person is located, certified copies of the order, letters of office, and any bond.
             369          Section 19. Section 75-5b-403 is enacted to read:
             370          75-5b-403. Effect of registration.
             371          (1) Upon registration of a guardianship or protective order from another state, the
             372      guardian or conservator may exercise in this state all powers authorized in the order of
             373      appointment except as prohibited under the laws of this state, including maintaining actions and
             374      proceedings in this state and, if the guardian or conservator is not a resident of this state, subject
             375      to any conditions imposed upon nonresident parties.
             376          (2) A court of this state may grant any relief available under this chapter and other law
             377      of this state to enforce a registered order.
             378          Section 20. Section 75-5b-501 is enacted to read:
             379     
Part 5. Miscellaneous Provisions

             380          75-5b-501. Uniformity of application and construction.
             381          In applying and construing this uniform act, consideration shall be given to the need to
             382      promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
             383          Section 21. Section 75-5b-502 is enacted to read:
             384          75-5b-502. Relation to electronic signatures in global and national commerce act.
             385          This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global
             386      and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001, et seq., but does not modify, limit, or
             387      supersede Section 101(c) of that act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of
             388      any of the notices described in Section 103(b), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 7003(b).
             389          Section 22. Section 75-5b-503 is enacted to read:
             390          75-5b-503. Transitional provision.
             391          (1) This chapter applies to guardianship and protective proceedings begun on or after
             392      January 1, 2009.
             393          (2) Parts 1, 3, and 4 and Sections 75-5b-501 and 75-5b-502 apply to proceedings begun


             394      before January 1, 2009, regardless of whether a guardianship or protective order has been
             395      issued.
             396          Section 23. Effective date.
             397          This act takes effect on January 1, 2009.


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