18-C M.R.S. §5-701: Public guardians and conservators; general

1. Appointment of public guardian or conservator. In any case in which a guardian or conservator may be appointed by the court under this Article, the court may appoint a public guardian or conservator as provided in this Part for persons who are in need of protective services.

2. Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Health and Human Services shall act as the public guardian or conservator for persons in need of protective services.

3. Article applies to public guardians and conservators. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, the appointment, termination, rights and duties and other provisions for guardians and conservators in this Article apply to public guardians and conservators.

4. Access to records. In any case in which a public guardian or conservator may be or has been appointed by the court under this Article, the Department of Health and Human Services shall disclose to the respondent and the respondent's attorney relevant information from the department's records as required by Title 22, section 3474, subsection 3, paragraph F.