Guardianship Bill of Rights Act of 2026

Plain-English Summary

This bill would establish a set of legal rights for people who are being considered for — or who are already living under — guardianship, conservatorship, or similar arrangements. A guardianship or conservatorship is a legal setup where a court appoints someone else (a guardian or conservator) to make decisions on behalf of a person who is believed to be unable to make certain decisions for themselves, often due to a disability, illness, or aging. Currently, the rights of people in these situations can vary widely depending on the state, and some individuals have limited ability to speak up or push back on decisions made about their lives.

The bill aims to give these individuals clearer, enforceable rights throughout the process — both before a guardianship or conservatorship is put in place and while one is ongoing. This likely includes things like the right to be heard in court proceedings, the right to receive information about what is happening, and the right to have their own wishes considered. The bill also appears to promote "decision supports," which are alternatives to full guardianship that help people make their own decisions with assistance, rather than having all decision-making authority handed over to someone else.

The people most directly affected would be adults with disabilities, elderly individuals, and others who may be subject to these legal arrangements, as well as their families and the guardians or conservators appointed to assist them. Advocates for people with disabilities have long pushed for stronger protections in this area, arguing that guardianship can sometimes remove too much independence from individuals who could manage with lighter support. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further review.