89R5250 EAS-D By: Capriglione H.B. No. 3376 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to training on dementia and Alzheimer's disease for certain guardians. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 155.204(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) In adopting rules under Section 155.203, the supreme court shall: (1) subject to Subdivision (3) [(2)], ensure that before a person is appointed guardian, the person completes a training course: (A) designed by the commission to educate proposed guardians about their responsibilities as guardians, alternatives to guardianships, supports and services available to the proposed ward, and a ward's bill of rights under Section 1151.351, Estates Code; and (B) made available for free to proposed guardians by the commission online via the commission's Internet website and, on request, in a written format; [and] (2) subject to Subdivision (3), ensure that not later than the sixth month after the date a guardian is appointed and at least once a year, the guardian completes a three-hour training course: (A) designed by the commission to educate guardians on dementia and Alzheimer's disease, including providing information about: (i) common aspects of aging; (ii) warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease; (iii) effective strategies for communicating with a person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease; and (iv) effective strategies for supporting a person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease in exercising the person's rights; and (B) made available for free to guardians by the commission online via the commission's Internet website; and (3) identify the circumstances under which a court may waive the training required under this section. SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt the rules necessary to provide the training required under Section 155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as amended by this Act. (b) Not later than July 1, 2026, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall make available on the commission's Internet website the course required by Section 155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as amended by this Act. (c) Notwithstanding Section 155.204(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, a guardian appointed before July 1, 2026, shall complete the initial training required by Section 155.204(a)(2), Government Code, as amended by this Act, not later than September 1, 2026. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.