Arizona's Probate Advisory Panel: Guardianship and Conservatorship Oversight

A. The probate advisory panel is established in the office of the governor. The panel consists of the following members who are appointed to staggered four-year terms: 1. Two public members who are guardians or conservators of an adult child or a sibling who is a ward. 2. Two public members who are guardians or conservators of a family member other than an adult child or sibling of the guardian or conservator. 3. Two members who are advocates for family members who have been parties to an adult guardianship or conservatorship matter in this state. 4. One public fiduciary who is licensed pursuant to section 14-5651 and who is from a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons. 5. One fiduciary, other than a public fiduciary, who is licensed pursuant to section 14-5651 and who is from a county with a population of more than five hundred thousand persons. 6. One attorney who has a minimum of four years' experience in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. 7. One judicial officer who has a minimum of two years' experience presiding over guardianship and conservatorship proceedings and who is from a county with a population of more than five hundred thousand persons. 8. One clerk of the superior court. B. The panel: 1. Shall select a chairperson at its first quarterly meeting. 2. Shall hold public hearings at least quarterly, or at the call of the chairperson, on how to improve the adult guardianship and conservatorship laws through statutory changes. 3. When the panel finds it appropriate, may consult with medical professionals including neuropsychologists, psychologists or psychiatrists. 4. On or before November 15 of each year, shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate and the chief justice of the supreme court. C. Panel members are not eligible for compensation or reimbursement of expenses.