§ 28-65-702 - Public Guardian for Adults -- Appointment -- Qualifications. [Effective if contingency in Acts 2007, No. 862, 5 is met.] - Arkansas Statutes

28-65-702. Public Guardian for Adults -- Appointment -- Qualifications. [Effective if contingency in Acts 2007, No. 862, 5 is met.]

(a) The Director of the Division of Aging and Adult Services of the Department of Human Services shall appoint an employee of the Division of Aging and Adult Services to serve as the Public Guardian for Adults.

(b) (1) In addition to the qualifications required under 28-65-203, the public guardian shall:

(A) Hold a degree in law or social work or a related field;

(B) Submit to a criminal background check with satisfactory results as prescribed by the division;

(C) Attend and complete at least twenty (20) hours of training approved by the division; and

(D) Demonstrate competency and ability to carry out the values of the ward.

(2) The Public Guardian for Adults shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of the Office of Public Guardian for Adults.

(c) The Public Guardian for Adults:

(1) May consent or withhold consent to health and long-term care treatment;

(2) Shall advocate for the ward; and

(3) Shall be functionally separate from and share no duties with any Department of Human Services employee whose job it is to prepare and offer services or treatment plans, or both, to any person.