HB1332 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 06999 HEP 27081 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB1332

Introduced 2/4/2015, by Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

755 ILCS 5/11a-9

from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-9

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a licensed clinical psychologist, in lieu of a licensed physician, may sign a report relating to the adjudication of disability if the evaluation is limited to the respondent's mental condition.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning probate proceedings.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Probate Act of 1975 is amended by changing Section 11a-9 as follows:

(755 ILCS 5/11a-9) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-9)

Sec. 11a-9. Report.)

(a) The petition for adjudication of disability and for appointment of a guardian should be accompanied by a report which contains (1) a description of the nature and type of the respondent's disability and an assessment of how the disability impacts on the ability of the respondent to make decisions or to function independently; (2) an analysis and results of evaluations of the respondent's mental and physical condition and, where appropriate, educational condition, adaptive behavior and social skills, which have been performed within 3 months of the date of the filing of the petition; (3) an opinion as to whether guardianship is needed, the type and scope of the guardianship needed, and the reasons therefor; (4) a recommendation as to the most suitable living arrangement and, where appropriate, treatment or habilitation plan for the respondent and the reasons therefor; (5) the name, business address, business telephone number, and signatures of all persons who performed the evaluations upon which the report is based, one of whom shall be a licensed physician unless the evaluation and report are completed by a licensed clinical psychologist and the evaluation is limited to the respondent's mental condition, and a statement of the certification, license, or other credentials that qualify the evaluators who prepared the report.

(b) If for any reason no report accompanies the petition, the court shall order appropriate evaluations to be performed by a qualified person or persons and a report prepared and filed with the court at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

(b-5) Upon oral or written motion by the respondent or the guardian ad litem or upon the court's own motion, the court shall appoint one or more independent experts to examine the respondent. Upon the filing with the court of a verified statement of services rendered by the expert or experts, the court shall determine a reasonable fee for the services performed. If the respondent is unable to pay the fee, the court may enter an order upon the petitioner to pay the entire fee or such amount as the respondent is unable to pay. However, in cases where the Office of State Guardian is the petitioner, consistent with Section 30 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act, no expert services fees shall be assessed against the Office of the State Guardian.

(c) Unless the court otherwise directs, any report prepared pursuant to this Section shall not be made part of the public record of the proceedings but shall be available to the court or an appellate court in which the proceedings are subject to review, to the respondent, the petitioner, the guardian, and their attorneys, to the respondent's guardian ad litem, and to such other persons as the court may direct.

(Source: P.A. 98-1094, eff. 1-1-15.)