Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:543 Primary Sponsor:Lourie Committee Number:13 Type of Legislation:JR Subject:Long Term Care Council Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Medical Affairs Computer Document Number:BR1/1019.AC Introduced Date:Jan 23, 1991 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:Jan 23, 1991 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Lourie Passailaigue Giese Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN
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543 Senate Jan 23, 1991 Introduced, read first time, 13
referred to Committee
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TO DIRECT THE LONG TERM CARE COUNCIL TO STUDY AND DEVELOP 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 develop 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:
SECTION 1. (A) The Long Term Care Council shall study and develop 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.
SECTION 2. The Long Term Care Council shall submit its study and recommendations to the Governor and the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging no later than December 1, 1991.
SECTION 3. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.