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Bill

HB 2277

An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in standby and temporary guardianship, further providing for definitions and for petition for approval of a designation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Briggs and 11 co-sponsors

HB 2277 revises Pennsylvania's standby guardianship laws to clarify definitions and simplify court petition procedures for guardianship designations by parents or existing guardians.

Referred to Judiciary
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2277

Legislative bill overview

HB 2277 modifies Pennsylvania's standby and temporary guardianship laws by amending definitions and the petition process for approving guardianship designations. The bill refines how parents or guardians can designate alternative caregivers in advance and the procedures courts must follow when evaluating these designations.

Why is this important

Standby guardianship allows parents to plan for their children's care in case of incapacity or death without surrendering current parental rights. Clearer definitions and streamlined petition procedures can help families establish protective arrangements more efficiently while ensuring court oversight of guardianship transitions—particularly important for children with special needs or vulnerable family situations.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of changes unclear: The bill text provided doesn't specify what definitions are being changed or how petition procedures are being modified, making it difficult to assess whether changes strengthen or weaken protections for children
  • Court resource implications: Streamlined procedures could reduce judicial review burden but might also raise concerns about whether adequate scrutiny occurs before guardianship transfers
  • Parental preference vs. child welfare balance: Amendments may shift how much weight courts give to designated guardians versus independent assessment of the child's best interests

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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