HB522 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gil Isbell

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Guardianships and conservatorships, Colby Act, decision-making agreements as an alternative to guardianships provided for

Summary

HB522 creates the Colby Act, allowing adults with disabilities to use a supported decision-making agreement with designated supporters instead of guardianship to help make decisions while preserving self-determination.

What This Bill Does

It would let an adult voluntarily enter a written supported decision-making agreement with supporters who assist in making, communicating, and carrying out life decisions without taking away the adult's self-determination. The agreement sets who the supporters are, what kind of help they can provide, and how information can be shared. It includes rules to ensure the agreement does not imply incapacity and cannot replace a guardian's authority. The act also creates rights and duties for supporters and provides conditions for revocation or termination and for court involvement if problems arise.

Who It Affects

• Adults with disabilities who may use supported decision-making agreements to guide their own decisions with support instead of going under guardianship.
• Supporters (adults 18 and older) who would be designated to assist the adult and have fiduciary duties and limitations.

Key Provisions

• Defines supported decision-making, supported decision-making agreement, and the role of a supporter.
• Allows voluntary, non-coercive entry into a supported decision-making agreement as an alternative to guardianship, but cannot replace a guardian's authority.
• Requires the agreement to be written, dated, signed by the adult and each supporter, notarized, and include a separate consent from each supporter about their role and duties.
• Allows appointing multiple or alternate supporters and permits sharing information among supporters as specified in the agreement.
• Outlines supporters' duties to support the adult's will, act honestly, work within authority, avoid conflicts, and refrain from compensation unless allowed; may act on behalf of the adult if authorized by power of attorney.
• Provides revocation procedures, termination conditions (death, revocation, withdrawal, court finding of lack of capacity or misuse, or guardianship actions with possible partial continuation), and establishes immunity for supporters acting in good faith while preserving reporting requirements for abuse.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Guardianships