Assembly Bill No. 2623

CHAPTER 823

An act to amend Section 13515 of the Penal Code, relating to peace officers.

[Approved by Governor September 29, 2014. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2014.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2623, Pan. Peace officer standards and training.

Existing law requires every city police officer or deputy sheriff at a supervisory level and below who is assigned field or investigative duties to complete an elder and dependent adult abuse training course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within 18 months of assignment to field duties. Existing law specifies certain subjects to be covered by the training. Existing law also requires the commission to consult with the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse and other subject matter experts when producing new or updated training materials.

This bill would add to that list of subjects the legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of elder or dependent adult abuse, as specified. By imposing additional training costs on local law enforcement agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also require the commission to additionally consult with local adult protective services offices and with the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman when producing new or updated training materials.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 13515 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

13515.  

(a) Every city police officer or deputy sheriff at a supervisory level and below who is assigned field or investigative duties shall complete an elder and dependent adult abuse training course certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within 18 months of assignment to field duties. Completion of the course may be satisfied by telecourse, video training tape, or other instruction. The training shall, at a minimum, include all of the following subjects:

(1) Relevant laws.

(2) Recognition of elder and dependent adult abuse.

(3) Reporting requirements and procedures.

(4) Neglect of elders and dependent adults.

(5) Fraud of elders and dependent adults.

(6) Physical abuse of elders and dependent adults.

(7) Psychological abuse of elders and dependent adults.

(8) The role of the local adult protective services and public guardian offices.

(9) The legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of elder or dependent adult abuse pursuant to Section 15657.03 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, including emergency protective orders and the option to request a simultaneous move-out order, and temporary restraining orders.

(b) When producing new or updated training materials pursuant to this section, the commission shall consult with the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, local adult protective services offices, the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and other subject matter experts. Any new or updated training materials shall address all of the following:

(1) The jurisdiction and responsibility of law enforcement agencies pursuant to Section 368.5.

(2) The fact that the protected classes of “dependent person” as defined in Section 288 and “dependent adult” as defined in Section 368 include many persons with disabilities, regardless of the fact that most of those persons live independently.

(3) Other relevant information and laws.

(c) The commission also may inform the law enforcement agencies of other relevant training materials.

SEC. 2.  

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.



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