§5-207. Duties of guardian
1.
Guardian has duties and responsibilities of a parent.
Except as otherwise limited by the court, a guardian of a minor has the duties and responsibilities of a parent regarding the minor's support, care, education, health and welfare. A guardian shall act at all times in the best interest of the minor and exercise reasonable care, diligence and prudence.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
2.
Specific duties and responsibilities.
A guardian shall:
A.
Become or remain personally acquainted with the minor and maintain sufficient contact with the minor to know of the minor's capacities, limitations, needs, opportunities and physical and mental health;
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B.
Take reasonable care of the minor's personal effects and bring a protective proceeding if necessary to protect other property of the minor;
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C.
Expend money of the minor that has been received by the guardian for the minor's current needs for support, care, education, health and welfare;
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
D.
Conserve any excess money of the minor for the minor's future needs, but if a conservator has been appointed for the estate of the minor, the guardian shall pay the money at least quarterly to the conservator to be conserved for the minor's future needs;
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
E.
Report the condition of the minor and account for money and other assets in the guardian's possession or subject to the guardian's control, as ordered by the court on application of any person interested in the minor's welfare or as required by court rule; and
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
F.
Inform the court of any change in the minor's custodial dwelling or address.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
3.
Reporting on the status of the minor.
The court may require the guardian of a minor to submit regular status reports about the minor, to be submitted under oath or affirmation to the court and served on the parent and guardian ad litem, if still active, on an annual basis or under other conditions set by the court.
A.
The court may require the status report to include specific information, including but not limited to the following to the extent applicable to the guardianship:
(1)
The current address of the minor and each parent;
(2)
The minor's health care and health needs, including any medical and mental health services the child received;
(3)
The minor's educational needs and progress, including the name of the minor's school, day care or other early education program, the minor's grade level and the minor's educational achievements;
(4)
Contact between the minor and the minor's parents, including the frequency and duration of the contact and whether it was supervised;
(5)
How the parents have been involved in decision making for the minor;
(6)
Whether the parents have provided any financial support for the minor;
(7)
How the guardian has carried out the guardian's responsibilities and duties under the order of appointment;
(8)
An accounting of any funds received on the minor's behalf;
(9)
The minor's strengths, challenges and any other areas of concern; and
(10)
Recommendations with supporting reasons as to whether the guardianship order should be continued, modified or terminated.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
B.
Before deciding whether to require status reports, the court shall consider whether reporting would create a substantial likelihood of harm to the health, safety or liberty of the minor.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
C.
The contents of status reports are confidential and may not be released to any nonparty except by court order.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
D.
A parent may petition the court to seek a status report from the guardian if one is not otherwise required. A person who is not a parent but is interested in the minor's welfare may petition the court to seek a status report based upon specific concerns about the minor's care.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
E.
Nothing in this subsection limits a court's authority to otherwise supervise the guardianship, including scheduling a status conference to address matters raised in a status report or to be held at a specified time after the entry of the order or appointing a guardian ad litem or visitor to conduct an investigation. The court shall accept any information submitted by a minor 14 years of age or older regarding the guardianship.
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
[PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. A, §2 (NEW). PL 2017, c. 402, Pt. F, §1 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 417, Pt. B, §14 (AFF).