Last week, we wrote about 3 bills to check out. Here are two more you might want to know about. Check out the following and if you have something to say about them, please contact your legislators. Contact information can be found here.
1) HB399 Guardianship of Adult Children with Disabilities, by Rep. Rebecca EdwardsThis bill focuses on uncontested guardianship for young adults 18-22, and tries to motivate parents to complete the process in a timely matter.
Most parents don't really have to worry about whether their kids will become independent. For some kids it doesn't happen, and they need a guardian to make decisions for them. Assuming that responsibility can be hard. If it needs to be done, the cost and complexity of the process shouldn't stand in the way.
Currently, the filing free for an uncontested guardianship is $360. Attorney fees can cost thousands beyond that. This bill reduces the filing cost to $35, and streamlines the process.
It is currently being updated to include input from disability advocates to ensure that the rights of the disabled person maintain adequate protection.
2) SB270 Carson Smith Scholarship Amendments, by Sen. Stuart Adams
It's well established that the earlier a child gets help, the better in every way. The need for early intervention services in Utah is well beyond the availability. There are more than 350 kids on the waiting list for state-funded autism pre-schools in Utah. Last year, 70 kids aged out before getting services.
This bill makes the Carson Smith Scholarship available to kids beginning at age 3. The current minimum age is 5.
