Bill 3303

                    Current Status

Introducing Body:               House
Bill Number:                    3303
Ratification Number:            75
Act Number:                     178
Primary Sponsor:                P. Harris
Type of Legislation:            JR
Subject:                        Long Term Care Council
Companion Bill Number:          543
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:   Apr 16, 1991
Computer Document Number:       BR1/1150.AC
Governor's Action:              S
Date of Governor's Action:      Apr 24, 1991
Introduced Date:                Jan 24, 1991
Date of Last Amendment:         Mar 05, 1991
Last History Body:              ------
Last History Date:              Apr 24, 1991
Last History Type:              Act No. 178
Scope of Legislation:           Statewide
All Sponsors:                   P. Harris
                                Waldrop
                                Wilder
Type of Legislation:            Joint Resolution

 Bill  Body    Date          Action Description              CMN
 ----  ------  ------------  ------------------------------  ---
 3303  ------  Apr 24, 1991  Act No. 178
 3303  ------  Apr 24, 1991  Signed by Governor
 3303  ------  Apr 18, 1991  Ratified R 75
 3303  Senate  Apr 16, 1991  Read third time, enrolled for
                             ratification
 3303  Senate  Apr 04, 1991  Read second time
 3303  Senate  Apr 02, 1991  Committee Report: Favorable     13
 3303  Senate  Mar 07, 1991  Introduced, read first time,    13
                             referred to Committee
 3303  House   Mar 06, 1991  Read third time, sent to
                             Senate
 3303  House   Mar 05, 1991  Amended, read second time
 3303  House   Feb 28, 1991  Committee Report: Favorable     27
                             with amendment
 3303  House   Jan 24, 1991  Introduced, read first time,    27
                             referred to Committee

(A178, R75, H3303)

A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE LONG TERM CARE COUNCIL TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND A SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING ADULT ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION, TO CLARIFY THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE AGENCIES IN THIS SYSTEM, TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO COLLABORATE ON THE STUDY, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AND STAFFING.

Whereas, many elderly and handicapped adults are dependent upon others for all or part of their care; and

Whereas, dependent adults are especially vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

Whereas, the incidence of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation is on the rise nationally and in South Carolina; and

Whereas, it is vital to protect dependent adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

Whereas, many governmental agencies have overlapping jurisdiction for investigating and prosecuting adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

Whereas, better cooperation and coordination among these agencies is needed to provide effective protection to dependent adults; and

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that a study to recommend an effective system for reporting, investigating, and prosecuting adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation would be beneficial to the quality of life for dependent adults in South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Long Term Care Council to study adult abuse-neglect and exploitation

SECTION 1. (A) The Long Term Care Council shall study and recommend an effective system for reporting, investigating, and prosecuting adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation in this State including clarification of the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in this system.

(B) The Long Term Care Council shall convene an advisory committee of knowledgeable individuals and agency representatives to collaborate on the study and the development of this system. The advisory committee is to be comprised of the following members or their designees:

(1) Attorney General;

(2) a circuit court judge;

(3) a family court judge;

(4) Chairman of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee;

(5) Chairman of the House of Representatives Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee;

(6) Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging;

(7) Ombudsman of the Governor's Office;

(8) Director of the State Law Enforcement Division;

(9) Executive Director of the State Health and Human Services Finance Commission;

(10) Executive Director of the Commission on Aging;

(11) Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(12) State Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health;

(13) Commissioner of the Department of Mental Retardation;

(14) Commissioner of the State Department of Social Services;

(15) Executive Director of the South Carolina Protection and Advocacy System for the Handicapped, Inc.;

(16) President of the South Carolina Solicitor's Association;

(17) Executive Director of the South Carolina Sheriff's Association.

(C) Agencies represented on the Long Term Care Council shall staff the advisory committee.

Reports to be submitted

SECTION 2. The Long Term Care Council shall submit to the Governor and the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging a status report on December 1, 1991, and its study and recommendations no later than one year after this joint resolution takes effect.

Time effective

SECTION 3. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Approved the 24th day of April, 1991.