Adult Public Guardianship Review Board

About

Created under § 14-402 of the Family Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.  (Family Law § 14-402 (Adult Protective Services Review Board — Membership) was most recently amended in 2024 and among other changes, reduced the board size from 11 to 8 and updated the membership categories.)

Each jurisdiction is mandated by the State to appoint 8 members, with 3 year terms: 

  • a professional representative of a local department
  • a physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or physician who is not a psychiatrist
  • a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, or a professional with expertise in prescribing or oversight of mental health medications.
  • a representative of a local commission on aging
  • a professional representative of a local nonprofit social service organization
  • a lawyer
  • a lay individual
  • a professional in the field of disabilities or a person with a disability

Purpose

To provide oversight of guardianships in which a public agency is the guardian for a vulnerable adult. 

Specifically, when a local department of social services or another public agency has been appointed guardian for a vulnerable adult (because the individual is unable to provide for his or her daily needs), the board ensures the guardianship is still necessary, appropriate, and well-managed.

Key Functions

  • The board reviews guardianships held by public agencies: Generally every six months when the public agency has been guardian, and at least annually with a file review for guardianships held more than one year. 
  • After review, the board recommends whether the guardianship should be: continued, modified, or terminated. The recommendation goes to the circuit court which oversees the guardianship; the court may accept or depart from the recommendation. 
  • The board is multidisciplinary, with membership from local social services, health/medical professionals, law, disability advocacy, aging commissions, lay individuals, etc., to ensure broad oversight of the vulnerable adult’s welfare. 

Board Members

  • Vacant, Nurse Practitioner
  • Lee Ann Eversole, Commission on Aging
  • Jeanine Agosti, Professional Representative
  • Dr. Herb Chissell, Psychiatrist
  • James Walsh, Attorney
  • Connie Davis, Professional in Disabilities
  • Carolyn Clauson-Andrews, Lay Individual
  • Judy Dodge, Lay Individual
  • Renee Kniseley, Non-Profit
  • Lisa Monahan, Registered Nurse
  • Vacant, Physically Disabled

Contact the Board

countyclerk@alleganygov.org