In Appreciation of Senator Todd Weiler and Representative Tom Hawkes of Utah and Senator Rusty Crowe of Tennessee

Senator Todd Weiler and Representative Tom Hawkes as SB 111 passed! 

Senator Weiler’s hard work to pass SB 111 in Utah speaks to the exemplary job he is doing for the people of his state. It was a privilege to work with him on SB 111. The excitement we share with the first passing of Falk/NASGA’s human and personal rights for guardianship and conservatorship wards is echoed by reform advocates across the country in anticipation of our bill coming to their individual states.

We must also recognize Senator Rusty Crowe of Tennessee and give him due credit for our success in Utah.  Our bill was originally drafted in Tennessee, working with Senator Rusty Crowe and his bill drafter/attorney who gave Catherine Falk and NASGA the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address the growing and insidious problem of wrongful isolation of guardianship wards by their court-appointed guardians/conservators by crafting a bill from scratch. It was a team effort in every sense of the word and we are proud that our bill empowers wards, increases court oversight, and provides means of accountability to unscrupulous guardians who wield isolation as a means of retaliation, control, or just convenience.

Different states have different laws; and each state must comport their proposed legislation to fit existing law. Senator Weiler quickly recognized the intention and merit of our bill for his state; and he and his team took much of the language of our Tennessee bill for SB 111 which was passed last Thursday.

We are proud of SB 111 and forever grateful to Senator Weiler and Representative Tom Hawkes for believing in our bill and for the dedication and hard work they both invested in getting it passed.

Falk/NASGA will always be grateful to these three superb statesmen for their support and enthusiasm for our mission and our bill.