Conservator Panel Will Hear From the Public

The state task force, charged with reforming the system, will meet today in downtown L.A.

By Robin Fields | Times Staff Writer

March 17, 2006

A state task force established to recommend reforms for California's conservatorship program, the system for protecting incapacitated adults, is set to take its first public testimony today in downtown Los Angeles.

The 16-member panel will hear from the public starting at 3 p.m., following three sessions anchored by probate attorneys, advocates for the elderly and other experts.

California Chief Justice Ronald M. George appointed the task force in January. Its recommendations will be reviewed by the Judicial Council of California, which sets policy for courts statewide.

Conservatorship, which began as a way for families to care for incapacitated relatives, has become a growing business as the population has aged and families have spread out. About 500 professional conservators operate in California. They care for at least 4,600 people and manage $1.5 billion in assets.

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A four-part Times investigation published in November described abuse and neglect by professional conservators and lax oversight by state probate courts.

At the task force's first meeting last month, members gave qualified support to legislative proposals to license professional conservators and to enhance protections for elderly adults subject to emergency conservatorship proceedings.

The task force's agenda for today calls for more input on such proceedings, as well as on how courts supervise permanent conservatorships and interact with other agencies.

The meeting's first session is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. in the Ronald M. Reagan State Building's first-floor auditorium.

Members of the public who wish to speak will need to sign up in the morning, said Lynn Holton, the spokeswoman for the Judicial Council. Public testimony will be limited to 30 minutes and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, she said.

"This is an opportunity for the public to express concerns about the system and ideas for improving it," Holton said.