85R1523 MTB-D     By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 37       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the requirement to obtain certification for attorneys   representing persons in guardianship proceedings.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 1054, Estates Code, is   amended to read as follows:   CHAPTER 1054. COURT OFFICERS, [AND] COURT-APPOINTED PERSONS, AND   ATTORNEYS          SECTION 2.  The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 1054,   Estates Code, is amended to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER E. QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE AS [COURT-APPOINTED]   ATTORNEY          SECTION 3.  Section 1054.201(a), Estates Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  An attorney representing any person's interests [for an   applicant for guardianship and a court-appointed attorney] in a   guardianship proceeding, including an attorney ad litem, must be   certified by the State Bar of Texas, or a person or other entity   designated by the state bar, as having successfully completed a   course of study in guardianship law and procedure sponsored by the   state bar or the state bar's designee.          SECTION 4.  Section 81.114(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The state bar shall provide a course of instruction for   attorneys who represent any person's interests [parties] in   guardianship cases or who serve as court-appointed guardians.          SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act to Section   1054.201, Estates Code, apply only to a guardianship proceeding   filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A guardianship   proceeding filed before the effective date of this Act is governed   by the law in effect on the date the proceeding was filed, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.