SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1088

Guardianship
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SPONSOR
Jones
FILED BY
Shevrin D. Jones — District 34, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Judiciary

Filed under Legal.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Guardianship; Prohibiting a guardian from restricting the ability of an adult ward to maintain contact with a person except under certain circumstances; requiring a guardian to provide a ward with notice of a change in residential setting under certain circumstances; requiring that an initial guardianship plan identify the persons entitled to certain information, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Limits guardians' power to block an adult ward's contacts.

A guardian can no longer block an adult ward's contact with someone just because they believe it might cause harm. They now need good cause to believe the contact poses a risk of significant harm.

Even with good cause, a restriction can last only 7 business days for people with an existing relationship to the ward, or 60 days for others, unless a court specifically orders otherwise.

Guardians must give wards 14 days' notice before moving them to a more restrictive residential setting, unless the guardianship plan or a court order already authorized the move.

The initial guardianship plan must now name who gets notified about the ward's death, funeral arrangements, and remains, and, for incapacitated wards, who must be told of a facility transfer or may visit.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Guardians generally may not restrict an adult ward's contacts majors. 744.361

AIFor adult wards, a guardian may no longer restrict contact with a specified person merely by believing it may cause harm. Restriction now requires good cause to believe the contact risks significant physical, psychological, or financial harm.

“the guardian may not restrict the ability of the ward to maintain contact with a specified person unless the guardian has good cause to believe” bill text, line 31 →
§ 2 Contact restrictions on adult wards are capped in duration majors. 744.361

AIA restriction on an adult ward's contact with someone may last no more than 7 business days if that person has a prior relationship with the ward, or 60 days if they do not, unless a court specifically orders otherwise.

“For no more than 7 business days, if the person has a family or preexisting social relationship with the ward” bill text, line 36 →
§ 3 14-day notice required before a more restrictive move moderates. 744.361

AIA guardian must notify the ward at least 14 days before moving them to a more restrictive residential setting, unless the guardianship plan or a court order already authorized the change.

“The guardian must provide the ward with notice of a change in residential setting at least 14 days before the change occurs” bill text, line 45 →
§ 4 Initial plan must identify who gets notice and may visit moderates. 744.363

AIThe initial guardianship plan must now name the people entitled to notice of the ward's death, funeral arrangements, and disposition of remains, and, if the ward is incapacitated, who must be told of a facility transfer or may visit.

“Identification of all of the following persons” bill text, line 58 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Judiciary
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Referred to Judiciary; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Rules
1/5/2026
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 744.361
+209 / −13
s. 744.363
+114 / −0