Disability and aging groups have been working on a bill (LRB 2596) that will help guardians have a basic understanding of their roles, responsibilities, limits of their authority, other important aspects of Wisconsin guardian law BEFORE they are appointed. 

The bill is currently circulating for co-sponsorship, which means your state legislators are being asked if they would like to add their names in support of this bill. Call or e-mail your legislators (Who are my legislators?) and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor of LRB 2596. Legislators have until January 21^st to add their name as a co-sponsor!

Your experience with guardianship as a provider, advocate, family member, person with a disability, or a guardian really helps bring to life how easy-to-understand information can help families, people with disabilities, older adults, and family/volunteer guardians.

Quick Bill Summary

FAQ about the proposal

Many family members who become a guardian do not fully understand what a guardian’s role, responsibilities, and administrative duties are under Wisconsin law. Frequently guardians feel overwhelmed, unprepared, isolated, and unsupported.

• The bill is designed to provide free accessible web-based training for potential and current guardians without increasing work for the courts or counties. Prospective guardians need information about important elements of Wisconsin’s guardianship law before they are appointed.
• The bill outlines required training topics including alternatives to guardianship, statutory roles/responsibilities/requirements of guardians and rights of wards, and where to go for resources and technical support.
• The bill increases the capacity of the Guardian Support Center to provide technical assistance, support, and in-person training for prospective guardians, guardians, and families.
• Plain language training is accessible to everyone—including teachers, medical staff, aging and disability resource centers, direct service providers, people with disabilities or older adults--looking to learn more, and family members seeking standardized and accurate information about guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.

Action Step

If this issue is important to you, call or e-mail (Who are my legislators?) your State Senator and State Representative and ask them to co-sponsor LRB 2596 (co-sponsor deadline is Tuesday, January 21st).