1. (a) In adopting rules under Section 155.203, the supreme court shall:

   1. (1) subject to Subdivision (3), ensure that before a person is appointed guardian, the person completes a training course:

      1. (A) designed by the commission to educate proposed guardians about their responsibilities as guardians, alternatives to guardianships, supports and services available to the proposed ward, and a ward's bill of rights under Section 1151.351, Estates Code; and
      2. (B) made available for free to proposed guardians by the commission online via the commission's Internet website and, on request, in a written format;

   2. (2) subject to Subdivision (3) and Subsection (a-1), require that not later than the sixth month after the date a guardian is appointed and at least once a year, the guardian completes a one-hour training course:

      1. (A) provided to educate guardians on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related disorders, including providing information about:

         1. (i) common aspects of aging;
         2. (ii) warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease;
         3. (iii) effective strategies for communicating with a person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease; and
         4. (iv) effective strategies and resources available for supporting a person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease in exercising the person's rights; and
      2. (B) made available for free to guardians by the commission online via the commission's Internet website; and
   3. (3) identify the circumstances under which a court may waive the training required under this section.

2. (a-1) Subsection (a)(2) applies only to the appointment of a guardian of the person or the estate, or both, of a ward who is:

   1. (1) 60 years of age or older; or
   2. (2) younger than 60 years of age if the ward has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or a related disorder.

3. (b) Notwithstanding Section 155.203(b) or Section 1251.052, Estates Code, the training required under Subsection (a):

   1. (1) does not apply to the initial appointment of a temporary guardian under Chapter 1251, Estates Code; and
   2. (2) applies only if there is a motion to extend the term of a temporary guardian.
4. (c) The commission may make the training required under this section available to court investigators and guardians ad litem. A court investigator or guardian ad litem is not required to receive training unless required to do so by a court.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 313 (S.B. 1096), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 437 (H.B. 3376), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.