Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 494
Section 3981 - Office established; appointment(a) There is established an Office of the Public Guardian, with a Public Guardian who shall serve as follows: (1) The guardian of last resort for the citizens of Delaware who have been determined to lack capacity to make decisions regarding their persons, their property, or both.(2) The representative payee for Social Security benefits of last resort.(3) The VA fiduciary of last resort for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.(b) The Public Guardian shall advocate and provide services under subsection (a) of this section, work with advocacy groups and state agencies to promote systemic reform and recommend changes in the law, procedure and policy necessary to enhance the provision of services for substituted and supported decision-making, and act as an informational resource for the public. The Public Guardian shall serve as Executive Director of the Delaware Guardianship Commission and promote the purposes of the Commission, and shall represent the Office of the Public Guardian in matters in which the appointment of the Public Guardian is sought.(c) To bring about these goals, the Public Guardian must be an attorney duly licensed to practice law in Delaware, selected by the Governor, and shall serve for a term of 6 years from the date of swearing in.Amended by Laws 2021, ch. 37,s 14, eff. 6/3/2021.Amended by Laws 2019, ch. 90,s 3, eff. 7/4/2019.Amended by Laws 2015, ch. 302,s 1, eff. 7/11/2016.59 Del. Laws, c. 579, § 9; 60 Del. Laws, c. 511, § 50; 60 Del. Laws, c. 570, § 9; 60 Del. Laws, c. 722, § 3; 69 Del. Laws, c. 109, §2; 70 Del Laws, c. 186, § 1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 40, § 1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 179, §§ 121 - 123.;