Senate Bill S9175A

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9175A                 Revised 5/25/2022

SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to proceedings for
appointment of a guardian for personal needs or property management

 
PURPOSE:

To expedite hearings on the guardianship/appeals process for family
visitation.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Cites this act as "Karilyn's Law.

Section 2. Amends section 81.07 of the mental hygiene law by adding a
provision to ensure that when there is an order to show cause regarding
family visitation, the court must act within 10 days of the signing of
that order.

              

Section 3. Sets for the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Often times, when actions under the mental hygiene law are brought,
involving an incapacitated person, family members are restricted access
to that person through no fault of their own. In fact, we have seen many
famous cases involving abuse of conservatorships, waste of assets and
denial of family member visitation. In 2008, Britney Spears had been
hospitalized. Her father petitioned and was granted conservatorship
allowing him the ability to make decision's about Britney's finances,
medical well-being and career. In 2010, she completed rehab and was
getting her career back on track. Britney testified that over the years
there was a series of 'abuses and manipulations' against her. It was not
until 2021 that the conservatorship terminated. Casey Kasem, the famous
radio personality, suffered from advanced Parkinson's disease and was
isolated from outside world by his second wife. She removed him from the
hospital and would not allow visitation, even for his biological daugh-
ters. The daughters unsuccessfully filed for conservatorship and unfor-
tunately, Mr. Kasem passed away before the issue was resolved.

Nichelle Nichols, an actress from Star Trek, is in an intense battle
with her son. She suffers from dementia and the son won a petition for
conservatorship in 2018. He claimed her former manager who lives with
her, was taking advantage of her ' finances and personal affairs'.
However, he along with her best friend desperately fought against the
conservatorship. Sadly, the son sold his mother's home which was her
pride and joy. Her friends say it is painful to watch but will not give
up fighting.

In the case of Karilyn Montanti, a court denied a child access to simply
visit with her mother, precluded her and isolated the incapacitated
person from all outsiders merely because the appointed counsel and guar-
dian had personal differences with the daughter. Despite there being no
abuse or mistreatment of any kind, it was several months before a hear-
ing was finally held restoring access to the mother.

This bill, cited as "Karilyn's Law" will cure that problem here in New
York and remedy the unfortunate loophole. This amendment to article 81
will simply provide an immediate hearing with respect to family visita-
tion.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately