To combat elder abuse, Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a package of bills that will ensure care facilities for the elderly are prepared during disasters and power outages, provide law enforcement with more tools to ensure criminals who victimize the elderly are prosecuted and further protect against different forms of financial abuse. “Protecting our growing population of older Californians and helping them feel safe and secure is a priority of mine. I am committed to fighting against elder abuse and these bills will continue to crack down on negligence and criminal acts that too often affect older Californians in our state,” Governor Schwarzenegger said.
In an effort to have more suspected cases of elder abuse reported, the Governor signed AB 2100 by Assembly member Lois Wolk (D-Davis), which requires ombudspersons at long-term care facilities to report cases of alleged or suspected physical abuse, including sexual abuse, and financial abuse to the local district attorney’s office.
The Governor also signed AB 749 by Assembly member Wolk to make sure elderly residents living in residential care facilities are not left vulnerable during and immediately following a natural disaster or other emergency. The bill requires residential care facilities for the elderly to have a comprehensive emergency plan by March 1, 2009 that ensures the facility can remain self-reliant for at least 72 hours. The facility must also make the plan available to residents and local emergency responders.
The Governor also signed several bills to protect the state’s aging population against financial abuses. The Governor also signed AB 225 by Assembly member Jim Beall (D-San Jose) to extend protections to family members and conservators of older Californians who have suffered from elder abuse. The bill allows the family member or conservator to be added to restraining orders that provide protection for the victim of abuse.
For complete information about all of the bills, click here