Submitted Report
Senator Judith Zaffirini, (D-Laredo), received the 2019 Legislative Achievement Award from AARP Texas. The organization presented the award to recognize the senator's legislative efforts to improve the state's guardianship system. Her Senate Bill (SB) 31, which went into effect on Sept. 1, established the Guardianship Abuse, Fraud and Exploitation Deterrence Program, which will help prevent the exploitation of persons who need a legal guardian because they cannot care for themselves.
"I was delighted to receive this award and to have AARP Texas' support in passing this critical bill," she said. "We developed SB 31 after hearing testimony about terrible physical and financial abuse that went undiscovered throughout the state for years. I hope guardianship cases now will receive more effective oversight, precluding further harm."
