(a) A person employed pursuant to a written contract or other employment arrangement with a licensed provider of behavioral health services for the purpose of providing services to a protected person, may be appointed by a court as the guardian or conservator of the protected person if:

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 44A-1-15

  • Conservator: means a person appointed by the court who is responsible for managing the estate and financial affairs of a protected person, and, where the context plainly indicates, the term "conservator" means or includes a "limited conservator" or a "temporary conservator". See West Virginia Code 44A-1-4
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Guardian: means a person appointed by the court who is responsible for the personal affairs of a protected person, and, where the context plainly indicates, the term "guardian" means or includes a "limited guardian" or a "temporary guardian". See West Virginia Code 44A-1-4
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, or figures, whether by printing, engraving, writing, or otherwise. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Person: means , generally, a natural person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity, any political subdivision or other public agency, public official or any estate, trust or other collection of properties to which the law attributes the capacity of having rights or duties. See West Virginia Code 44A-1-4
  • Protected person: means an adult individual, eighteen years of age or older, who has been found by a court, because of mental impairment, to be unable to receive and evaluate information effectively or to respond to people, events, and environments to such an extent that the individual lacks the capacity: (A) To meet the essential requirements for his or her health, care, safety, habilitation, or therapeutic needs without the assistance or protection of a guardian. See West Virginia Code 44A-1-4

(1) Payment for services provided under the contract or employment agreement is made pursuant to a waiver program;

(2) The person is related to the protected person by blood, marriage or adoption;

(3) The contract or arrangement is disclosed in writing to the court; and

(4) The court finds that the appointment is in the best interests of the protected person.

(b) Without the prior approval of a court, a guardian or conservator may not enter into a written contract or other employment arrangement with a licensed provider of behavioral health services in which the guardian or conservator will receive compensation pursuant to a waiver program.

(c) For the purposes of this section:

(1) ?Behavioral health services" means services provided for the care and treatment of persons with mental illness, intellectual disability, developmental disabilities or alcohol or drug abuse problems in an inpatient, residential or outpatient setting, including, but not limited to, habilitative or rehabilitative interventions or services and cooking, cleaning, laundry and personal hygiene services provided for such care; and

(2) "Waiver program" means a West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resource administered waiver program, including, but not limited to, the "MR/DD" or "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities" waiver program authorized by section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act.

(d) A person appointed to serve as a guardian or conservator prior to the effective date of this section, enacted during the 2011 Regular Session of the Legislature, who meets the requirements contained in subsection (a), shall retain his or her authority, powers and duties in that capacity under the provisions of this section: Provided, That the guardian or conservator informs the court, in writing, that he or she is employed pursuant to a written contract or other employment arrangement with a licensed provider of behavioral health services under the waiver program.