BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2435
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 6, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS
Mary Hayashi, Chair
AB 2435 (Lowenthal) - As Amended: March 24, 2010
SUBJECT : Elder and dependent adult abuse.
SUMMARY : Requires marriage and family therapists (MFTs),
licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychologists, and
licensed professional counselors (PCCs) to have training on the
recognition and reporting of suspected elder and dependent adult
abuse as requirements for licensure. Specifically, this bill :
1)Encourages the Board of Psychology (BOP) and the Board of
Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to include coursework regarding the
assessment and reporting of elder and dependent adult abuse in
the required training on aging and long-term care issues prior
to licensure or license renewal.
2)Adds instruction on the assessment, reporting, and treatment
related to elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect, to the
coursework and continuing education requirements prior to
licensure or licensure renewal as a psychologist, MFT, LCSW,
or PCC commencing January 1, 2012.
3)States that it is anticipated and encouraged that hours of
experience gained prior to being licensed as an MFT will
include working with elders and dependent adults who have
physical or mental limitations that restrict their ability to
carry out normal activities or protect their rights.
4)States legislative intent and findings.
EXISTING LAW provides for the licensure and regulation of
psychologists, PCCs, LCSWs and MFTs and establishes specified
coursework requirements, including child abuse assessment and
reporting.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill . According to the author's office,
"225,000 Californians are victims of elder and dependent adult
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abuse each year, with family members constituting more than
two-thirds of the alleged abusers. However, the statistics for
reports of elder abuse do not mirror the increasing occurrences
of elder abuse in California; experts estimate that only one in
14 cases is reported. For financial abuse, the statistics are
even more startling with only an estimated one in 100 incidents
ever reported.
"The aging of California will increase the demand for
professionals with expertise in the aging process and abuse
recognition and reporting. Health and mental health care
providers are key to stopping elder and dependent adult abuse
and helping families in crisis. Just like physicians, nurses,
and health aides, MFTs, LCSWs, psychologists, and PCCs are
mandated reporters for suspected elder and dependent adult
abuse. In order to not only comply with abuse reporting laws,
but also to adequately serve an aging population and their
families and caregivers, providers need education and training
on the aspects of aging, including the recognition and reporting
of elder and dependent adult abuse.
"Degree programs and licensing requirements for MFTs, LCSWs, and
psychologists already include training on elder and dependent
adult abuse recognition and reporting. However, while state law
requires degree programs to include training in the biological,
sociological, and psychological aspects of aging, state law is
silent on the inclusion of elder and dependent adult abuse.
"The goal of this bill is not to place additional requirements
on licensees, but instead to codify in state law the existing
education and training on elder and dependent adult abuse
recognition and reporting."
Background . California has more older adults than any other
state and the number is expected to double in the next ten years
with the aging of the baby boomers.
According to the Attorney General's office, over 225,000
Californians are victims of elder and dependent adult abuse each
year, with family members constituting more than two-thirds of
the alleged abusers. However, the statistics for reports of
elder abuse do not mirror the increasing occurrences of elder
abuse in California; experts estimate that only one in 14 cases
is reported. For financial abuse, the statistics are even more
startling with only an estimated one in 100 incidents ever
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reported.
Support . The Alzheimer's Association writes in support, "Given
the dismal reporting of elder abuse, only one in 14 cases, it is
critical that policy makers take steps to address this serious
and very sad situation. Your bill AB 2435 is an appropriate and
reasonable step. By educating those likely to encounter elder
adult populations in their work, AB 2435 will hopefully help
curb the abuses that unfortunately go unreported in the majority
of cases."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Commission on Aging (Co-Sponsor)
Congress of California Seniors (Co-Sponsor)
County Welfare Directors Association of California (Co-Sponsor)
Alzheimer's Association
City and County of San Francisco
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Rebecca May / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301