New guardianship court procedure created for at-risk juveniles

A new procedure will be created in juvenile court for youth ages 18 to 21 to have a guardian appointed to meet the their needs or to protect the youth from trafficking or abuse.

The law, effective Aug. 1, 2022, provides that the court must issue an order for a juvenile guardianship when the juvenile and guardian both agree to the guardianship, it is in the juvenile’s best interest, and reunification with a parent is not viable due to abandonment, abuse, or neglect.

A new guardian appointment and for guardianship will automatically terminate when the juvenile reaches age 21 or the juvenile requests it end.

Rep. Sandra Feist (DFL-New Brighton) and Sen. Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) are the sponsors.

HF2671/SF2736*/CH45

SF2736* / HF2671 / CH45