A bill that has been introduced in the Oklahoma Senate would make it impossible for non-citizens to act as a legal guardian. The bill’s sponsor stated that being a non-resident makes it impossible for a background check to be performed on potential guardians although he admitted that the proposal could result in close family members being unable to be appointed due to their citizenship status. But other supporters of the legislation noted, in addition, that the fact the proposed guardian could be sent out of the country involuntarily created a risk for the ward. However, critics of the bill noted that many people are being cared for by relatives that are undocumented and would be stripped of the ability to fully take care of those placed in their care. In any event, the bill is still in the early stage of the legislative process and has yet to be worked out in a joint House and Senate committee.
See Brian Hardzinski, Senate Bill Would Bar Non-Citizens, Undocumented Residents From Becoming Legal Guardians, KGOU, March 26, 2016.
