Guardianships; modifying definitions; requiring guardians to be present for certain assessment. Effective date..

SB 1473 updates Oklahoma's guardianship definitions to clarify when a person with mental illness is considered "gravely disabled" and unable to meet basic needs like food, clothing, or shelter. It adds specific criteria guardians must meet to request authorities (like police or county officials) to retrieve a gravely disabled ward from an unsheltered environment and transport them to inpatient treatment. The bill changes "inpatient mental health treatment" to require 48 hours of continuous care (previously 24 hours) and explicitly states that mental illness evaluation or treatment does not automatically mean a person is incompetent. These changes apply to guardians, courts, and mental health facilities managing cases involving incapacitated individuals. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.