LRB-2596/1
SWB:kjf&amn
2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
2019 Senate BILL 734
January 29, 2020 - Introduced by Senators Jacque, Bernier, Bewley, Carpenter,
Johnson, Olsen, Schachtner, L. Taylor, Testin, Wanggaard, Wirch and
Tiffany, cosponsored by Representatives Zimmerman, Rohrkaste, Anderson,
Bowen, Dittrich, Edming, Fields, Knodl, Murphy, B. Meyers, Neubauer,
Novak, Ohnstad, Pope, Rodriguez, Schraa, Shankland, Sinicki, Spiros,
Spreitzer, C. Taylor, Vruwink, Doyle, Goyke, James, Stubbs, Kulp and
Subeck. Referred to Committee on Universities, Technical Colleges, Children
and Families.
SB734,1,6 1An Act to renumber 46.977 (2) (a) and 54.15 (8) (a) 1. to 4.; to renumber and
2amend
46.977 (1) (b); to consolidate, renumber and amend 46.977 (1)
3(intro.) and (a); to amend 46.977 (2) (b) (intro.), 46.977 (2) (c), 54.15 (8) (a)
4(intro.) and 54.15 (8) (b); and to create 46.977 (3), 54.15 (8) (a) 2m. and 54.26
5of the statutes; relating to: guardian training requirements and making an
6appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill establishes mandatory initial training requirements for guardians.
Under the bill, every guardian of the person must complete training on all of the
following topics: 1) the duties and required responsibilities of a guardian under the
law and limits of a guardian's decision-making authority; 2) alternatives to
guardianship, including supported decision-making and powers of attorney; 3)
rights retained by a ward; 4) best practices for a guardian to solicit and understand
the wishes and preferences of a ward, involving a ward in decision-making, and
taking a ward's wishes and preferences into account in decisions made by the
guardian; 5) restoration of a ward's rights and the process for removal of
guardianship; 6) future planning and identification of a potential standby or
successor guardian; and 7) resources and technical support for guardians. The bill
also requires that every guardian of the estate must complete training on the duties
and required responsibilities of a guardian under the law and limits of a guardian's

decision-making authority and inventory and accounting requirements. The bill
provides limited exemptions for certain corporate and volunteer guardians.