2006 Minnesota Statutes

260C.325 GUARDIAN.
    Subdivision 1. Transfer of custody. If the court terminates parental rights of both parents
or of the only known living parent, the court shall order the guardianship and the legal custody
of the child transferred to:
(a) the commissioner of human services; or
(b) a licensed child-placing agency; or
(c) an individual who is willing and capable of assuming the appropriate duties and
responsibilities to the child.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 2001 c 178 art 1 s 43]
    Subd. 3. Both parents deceased. If upon petition to the juvenile court by a reputable person,
including but not limited to an agent of the commissioner of human services, and upon hearing in
the manner provided in section 260C.163, the court finds that both parents are deceased and no
appointment has been made or petition for appointment filed pursuant to sections 524.5-201 to
524.5-317, the court shall order the guardianship and legal custody of the child transferred to:
(a) the commissioner of human services;
(b) a licensed child-placing agency; or
(c) an individual who is willing and capable of assuming the appropriate duties and
responsibilities to the child.
    Subd. 4. Guardian's responsibilities. (a) A guardian appointed under the provisions of this
section has legal custody of a ward unless the court which appoints the guardian gives legal
custody to some other person. If the court awards custody to a person other than the guardian, the
guardian nonetheless has the right and responsibility of reasonable visitation, except as limited
by court order.
(b) The guardian may make major decisions affecting the person of the ward, including but
not limited to giving consent (when consent is legally required) to the marriage, enlistment in the
armed forces, medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment, or adoption of the ward. When, pursuant
to this section, the commissioner of human services is appointed guardian, the commissioner may
delegate to the responsible social services agency of the county in which, after the appointment,
the ward resides, the authority to act for the commissioner in decisions affecting the person of
the ward, including but not limited to giving consent to the marriage, enlistment in the armed
forces, medical, surgical, or psychiatric treatment of the ward.
(c) A guardianship created under the provisions of this section shall not of itself include the
guardianship of the estate of the ward.
History: 1999 c 139 art 3 s 34; 2001 c 178 art 1 s 39; 2004 c 146 art 3 s 31