§ 33-15-4.1. Good Samaritan guardians. (a) Any person who files a petition for a guardianship of the person pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may also file to be qualified as a good Samaritan guardian. A good Samaritan guardian may be appointed by the probate court in those instances where the court determines that the estate of a proposed ward is insufficient to pay for the services of a guardian and that such an appointment would otherwise be in the best interests of the individual for whom the guardianship is proposed.

(b) A person filing for appointment of a good Samaritan guardianship shall file all the forms required by this chapter to initiate a guardianship petition and shall file an additional form setting forth the qualifications of the proposed guardian to serve as a good Samaritan guardian. Such forms shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1) The experience, if applicable, of the proposed guardian;

(2) The willingness of the proposed guardian to serve as said good Samaritan guardian; and

(3) A statement that if appointed as a good Samaritan guardian, such person shall not seek any fees and/or monetary compensation for their services as a good Samaritan; provided, that this shall not be construed to prohibit the good Samaritan guardian from soliciting and/or utilizing charitable donations for and on behalf of the individual under guardianship.

(c) The appointment of a good Samaritan guardian shall be in the discretion of the probate court.

(d) Except as otherwise provided for herein, hearings on and notice of the application for and appointment of a good Samaritan guardianship shall proceed in the same manner as any other petition for guardianship pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 1999, ch. 494, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 299, § 3; P.L. 2008, ch. 419, § 3.)