AN ACT CONCERNING PROBATE COURT OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION.

This bill modifies how Connecticut Probate Courts handle document acknowledgments, fee billing for government entities, and notice procedures in cases involving Native American children. It prohibits the remote acknowledgment of wills, powers of attorney, and other legal documents, requiring them to be signed in person to prevent fraud. The legislation also ensures that state agencies and the Department of Veterans Affairs are exempt from upfront filing fees, allowing courts to bill these agencies directly for costs. Additionally, it strengthens protections for Indian children by mandating specific notification steps and waiting periods before certain foster care or adoption proceedings can occur. Finally, the bill clarifies service of process rules to ensure proper notice is given to respondents and their families in involuntary representation cases.