Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H737: Persons Disqualified from Being Appointed as a Guardian
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Authorizes court to appoint person who has been convicted of felony to be guardian of proposed ward; requires court to consider imposing additional requirements on certain guardians to safeguard proposed ward & his or her property; authorizes court to deny appointment as guardian if it determines appointment would place proposed ward, or his or her property, at risk.
What the bill says
An act relating to persons disqualified from being appointed as a guardian; amending s. 744.309, F.S.; authorizing a court to appoint a person who has been convicted of a felony to be a guardian of a proposed ward under certain circumstances; requiring the court to consider imposing additional requirements on certain guardians to safeguard the proposed ward and his or her property; authorizing the court to deny an appointment as guardian if it determines an appointment would place the proposed ward, or his or her property, at risk; amending s. 744.474, F.S.…
From the introduced text, February 17, 2026:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to persons disqualified from being appointed as a guardian; amending s. 744.309, F.S.; authorizing a court to appoint a person who has been convicted of a felony to be a guardian of a proposed ward under certain circumstances; requiring the court to consider imposing additional requirements on certain guardians to safeguard the proposed ward and his or her property; authorizing the court to deny an appointment as guardian if it determines an appointment would place the proposed ward, or his or her property, at risk; amending s. 744.474, F.S.; conforming a provision to changes made by the act; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (3) of section 744.309, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 744.309 Who may be appointed guardian of a resident ward.-- (3) DISQUALIFIED PERSONS.-- (a) The following persons are disqualified from being appointed a guardian under this section: 1. A No person who has been convicted of a felony, except as provided in paragraph (e). words underlined are additions. hb737-02-c2 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES CS/CS/HB 737 2026 2. A person or who, from any incapacity or illness, is incapable of discharging the duties of a guardian, or who is otherwise unsuitable to perform the duties of a guardian. 3. A, …
Sponsors
- Botana, Adam (R, HD-080) · primary sponsor
- Gottlieb, Mike (D, HD-102)
- Rizo, Alex (R, HD-112)
- Valdés, Susan (R, HD-064)
Latest actions
- : Died in Rules
- : Received
- : Referred to Rules
- : In Messages
- : CS passed; YEAS 116, NAYS 0
- : Read 3rd time
- : Added to Third Reading Calendar
- : Read 2nd time
- : Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- : Added to Second Reading Calendar
Votes
- House: H 737 c2 (February 25, 2026): 116 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Judiciary Committee (February 17, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Judiciary Committee (February 17, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Human Services Subcommittee (February 4, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Human Services Subcommittee (February 4, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (January 21, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Rules
Common questions
- What is H737?
- H737 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Persons Disqualified from Being Appointed as a Guardian.
- What does H737 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to persons disqualified from being appointed as a guardian; amending s. 744.309, F.S.; authorizing a court to appoint a person who has been convicted of a felony to be a guardian of a proposed ward under certain circumstances; requiring the court to consider imposing additional requirements on certain guardians to safeguard the proposed ward and his or her property; authorizing the court to deny an appointment as guardian if it determines an appointment would place the proposed ward, or his or her property, at risk; amending s. 744.474, F.S.…
- What is the status of H737?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Rules (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H737?
- Botana, Adam (R, HD-080), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H737?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/737
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.