Senate BillChaptered/SignedProbate
SB 561: Appointment of public guardians.
What SB 561 does, verified September 29, 2026
This bill creates a manufacturer responsibility program for the safe and proper management of emergency distress flares. A covered product is defined as certain pyrotechnic devices that meet the criteria for household hazardous waste. Manufacturers of covered products must develop and implement a plan for the collection, transportation, and safe management of these products. The plan must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and manufacturers must submit annual reports detailing their activities. The reports must include an application for renewal of the plan, and all reports and records must be provided under penalty of perjury. The bill also prohibits the sale, distribution, or importation of covered products containing perchlorate in the state. The DTSC will use funds to implement and enforce the program, and a marine flare recovery fund will…
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Last action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 649, Statutes of 2026. (2026-09-27)Alert me
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| Sep. 27, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 649, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 27, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 08, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug. 30, 2026 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Aug. 30, 2026 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
Latest bill textChaptered version, September 27, 2026 · 871 words
Senate Bill No. 561
CHAPTER 649
An act to amend Section 2920 of the Probate Code, relating to guardians.
[ Approved by Governor September 27, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State September 27, 2026. ]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 561, Blakespear. Appointment of public guardians.
Existing law requires a public guardian to apply for appointment as a guardian or conservator of the person, the estate, or the person and estate, if there is an imminent threat to a person’s health or safety or the person’s estate, there is no one else who is qualified and willing to act, as specified, the appointment would be in the best interests of the person, and the person is domiciled in the county. Existing law similarly requires a court to order a public guardian of a county to apply for appointment as a guardian or conservator if it appears that there is no one else who is qualified and willing to act, that the appointment as guardian or conservator appears to be in the best interests of the person, and the person is domiciled in the county. Existing law requires the public guardian to begin an investigation within 2 business days of receiving a referral for conservatorship or guardianship.
This bill would require the public guardian to also acknowledge receipt of the referral within 2 business days and conclude the investigation within a reasonable period of time. For referrals for conservatorship, the bill would require the investigation to include a determination of whether or not a temporary or general conservatorship is warranted and would require the public guardian to inform the referring party of the investigation status upon request. By imposing new duties on the public guardian, a county officer, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 2920 of the Probate Code is amended to read:2920.
(a) If any person domiciled in the county requires a guardian or conservator and there is no one else who is qualified and willing to act and whose appointment as guardian or conservator would be in the best interests of the person, then either of the following shall apply:(1) The public guardian shall apply for appointment as guardian or conservator of the person, the estate, or the person and estate, if there is an imminent threat to the person’s health or safety or the person’s estate.
(2) The public guardian may apply for appointment as guardian or conservator of the person, the estate, or the person and estate in all other cases.
(b) The public guardian shall apply for appointment as guardian or conservator of the person, the estate, or the person and estate, if the court so orders. The court may make an order under this subdivision on motion of an interested person or on the court’s own motion in a pending proceeding or in a proceeding commenced for that purpose. The court shall order the public guardian to apply for appointment as guardian or conservator of the person, the estate, or the person and estate, on behalf of any person domiciled in the county who appears to require a guardian or conservator, if it appears that there is no one else who is qualified and willing to act, and if that appointment as guardian or conservator appears to be in the best interests of the person. However, if prior to the filing of the petition for appointment it is discovered that there is someone else who is qualified and willing to act as guardian or conservator, the public guardian shall be relieved of the duty under the order. The court shall not make an order under this subdivision except after notice to the public guardian for the period and in the manner provided for in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1460) of Part 1, consideration of the alternatives, and a determination by the court that the appointment is necessary. The notice and hearing under this subdivision may be combined with the notice and hearing required for appointment of a guardian or conservator.
(c) (1) The public guardian shall acknowledge receipt of the referral and begin an investigation within two business days of receiving a referral for conservatorship or guardianship. The investigation shall conclude within a reasonable period of time.
(2) For referrals for conservatorship, the investigation shall include a determination of whether or not a temporary or general conservatorship is warranted. The public guardian shall inform the referring party of the status of the investigation upon request.
SEC. 2.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.Text of SB 561 as chaptered, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions