New law requires guardians to have guide

VW independent/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine praised a new law that will put the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Guardianship Guide into the hands of all guardians overseeing adult and minor wards in the state.

House Bill 50, approved by the Ohio General Assembly last month, was signed into law by Governor John Kasich on Monday.

The law requires clerks of Ohio’s probate courts to give new and current guardians a copy of the guardianship guide, which was created by Attorney General DeWine in 2014 to reduce confusion surrounding guardianship in Ohio so that individuals are better equipped to serve as guardians or protect relatives under guardianship.

“The role of a guardian is very complex, which is why we created the Ohio Guardianship Guide,” DeWine said. “Those placed in guardianship are especially vulnerable and deserve quality care, and this manual helps guardians fully understand their roles and responsibilities.”

“Thanks to House Bill 50, all guardians will receive a copy of this guide in an effort to help protect Ohio’s families,” he added.

A copy of the Ohio Guardianship Guide can be found on the Ohio Attorney General’s website.

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) and Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City), also raises the maximum age for foster care and adoption assistance to age 21.