Probate officials back SB 400 and SB 474 to clarify jurisdiction, conservator audits and training

Beverly Streich, a probate court administrator, testified in support of provisions in SB 400 and SB 474 that she said would close gaps and improve oversight of conservatorships.

Streich summarized the bills: allowing name‑change matters for minors to be adjudicated in regional children's probate courts; clarifying firearms‑disability determinations; ensuring confidentiality for child‑related guardianship proceedings; clarifying appeals routing so child matters go to juvenile court; expanding random audits of conservatorship accounts to allow a forensic audit when a conservator fails to file required financial reports; and strengthening training and observation authority for newly elected judges.

Representatives on the committee pressed for detail on Section 9, which would permit appointment of a forensic accountant when a conservator chronically fails to file required inventories or accounts; Streich explained the change is intended to detect and deter fiduciary malfeasance before loss becomes unrecoverable.

The committee discussed drafting precision and whether language should be tightened; Streich said she would support technical refinements. The bills remain under committee review.