TRAINING REQUIRED.

(a) In adopting rules under Section 155.203, the supreme court shall:

(1) subject to Subdivision (3), ensure that before a person is appointed guardian, the person completes a training course:

(A) designed by the commission to educate proposed guardians about their responsibilities as guardians, alternatives to guardianships, supports and services available to the proposed ward, and a ward's bill of rights under Section 1151.351, Estates Code; and

(B) made available for free to proposed guardians by the commission online via the commission's Internet website and, on request, in a written format;

(2) subject to Subdivision (3) and Subsection (a-1), require that not later than the sixth month after the date a guardian is appointed and at least once a year, the guardian completes a one-hour training course:

(A) provided to educate guardians on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and related disorders, including providing information about:

(i) common aspects of aging;

(ii) warning signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease;

(iii) effective strategies for communicating with a person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease; and

(iv) effective strategies and resources available for supporting a person who is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease in exercising the person's rights; and

(B) made available for free to guardians by the commission online via the commission's Internet website; and

(3) identify the circumstances under which a court may waive the training required under this section.

(a-1) Subsection (a)(2) applies only to the appointment of a guardian of the person or the estate, or both, of a ward who is:

(1) 60 years of age or older; or

(2) younger than 60 years of age if the ward has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or a related disorder.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 155.203(b) or Section 1251.052, Estates Code, the training required under Subsection (a):

(1) does not apply to the initial appointment of a temporary guardian under Chapter 1251, Estates Code; and

(2) applies only if there is a motion to extend the term of a temporary guardian.

(c) The commission may make the training required under this section available to court investigators and guardians ad litem. A court investigator or guardian ad litem is not required to receive training unless required to do so by a court.