SB 1536 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to training on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related disorders for certain guardians.

SB 1536 requires guardians appointed for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease to complete specific training. Before appointment, proposed guardians must finish a free online course covering guardianship responsibilities and dementia basics. After appointment, guardians must complete an annual one-hour training on communication strategies, warning signs, and supporting individuals with dementia. The training must be provided free by the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct and confirmed to the court before hearings. This applies directly to court-appointed guardians managing care for people with dementia-related conditions.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Last action May 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 3, 2025
MODERATE
This bill expands training requirements for guardians of individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, adds age-based exemptions for older guardians, and updates implementation timelines. The changes aim to improve care quality while reducing burdens on experienced or elderly guardians.
Scope change
The bill now applies to guardians of wards diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or related disorders, with specific exemptions for guardians aged 60+ or those caring for younger wards with these conditions.
ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for guardians aged 60 or older, and for younger guardians caring for wards with Alzheimer's or dementia diagnoses.

REQUIREMENT

Changed initial training from 3 hours to 1 hour, and annual training from 3 hours to 1 hour.

Added requirement for commission to provide criminal background check confirmation to probate court before guardian appointment hearing.

Added requirement that annual training must be selected from commission-approved course list.

Removed requirement for written format of training materials upon request.

TIMELINE

Updated initial training deadline from September 1, 2026 to January 1, 2027 for pre-July 2026 appointments.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 3, 2025

How they voted

273
Passed
Total votes 30
Apr 3, 2025
D Democratic10
10 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
17 Yea 3 Nay
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
33
Key actions
11
Committee
12
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recalled from subcommittee
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee meeting cancelled
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to s/c on Family & Fiduciary Relationships by Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote reconsidered in committee
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Jurisprudence
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors