PA Parents - Alert! There are two recent acts that give parents rights to make temporary arrangements for the care of their children:
The Pennsylvania Legislature recently passed the Standby Guardianship Act. This law permits parents to authorize another adult to be designated as a temporary guardian for dependent minor children. It becomes effective only upon the happening of specified "triggering events", such as physical debilitation, mental incapacity or death. The parent[s] would still retain their legal rights and relationship with the child. If the parent dies, the standby appointment confers physical and legal custody of the child. The designation must be in writing, signed by the parent and the temporary guardian, and must be witnessed.
The Pennsylvania Legislature recently passed Act 52 of 1999. This law permits parents to authorize another adult to consent to medical and mental health care for minor children. The parent[s] would still retain their legal rights. Before this law, there was no way that parents could give such authority to another adult. For example, if the parent has created a medical consent form under this new law, and is not available when the child has a medical emergency, someone else has the legal right to step in and make sure that the child gets the necessary treatment.
If you are interested in more information, please contact us.
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