BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | ACR 71|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 71
Author: Dodd (D), et al.
Amended: 6/8/15 in Assembly
Vote: 21
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 6/8/15
SUBJECT: Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Awareness Month
SOURCE: California Commission on Aging
California Elder Justice Coalition
DIGEST: This resolution proclaims and acknowledges the month of
June 2015 and every year thereafter as Elder and Vulnerable
Adult Abuse Awareness Month.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)Elder and vulnerable adult abuse is a serious and growing
crisis in California.
2)One in ten Americans 60 years of age and older experience
abuse each year.
3)Elder and vulnerable adults may be impacted by any of a
constellation of physical, mental, pharmaceutical, or medical
influences, any one of which could render them unable to
protect themselves or self-advocate, to report to authorities
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when abuse occurs, or to testify against perpetrators.
4)Elder and vulnerable adult abuse may be physical, emotional,
sexual, or fiduciary and consists of crimes that recognize no
boundaries of economic, educational, or social status, gender,
race, culture, religion, or geographic location.
5)Subtle indicators that abuse may be occurring include bruises
or pressure marks, unexplained withdrawal from normal
activities, a change in alertness, unusual depression, sudden
changes in financial situations, strained or tense
relationships, or frequent arguments. Recognizing these signs
is the first step toward the prevention of elder and
vulnerable adult abuse.
6)Current estimates suggest that as few as one in 14 cases of
elder and vulnerable adult abuse is reported, including fewer
than one in 25 incidents of financial abuse, because the
victims are ashamed, hopeless, intimidated, or afraid of the
perpetrator.
7)The lack of statewide elder and vulnerable adult abuse data
prevents policymakers from measuring the extent of these
crimes and tragedies.
8)All Californians are strongly encouraged to report suspected
abuse of an elder or vulnerable adult by calling their local
adult protective services agency, Long-Term Care Ombudsman,
law enforcement, or emergency services agencies.
9)The California Commission on Aging and the California Elder
Justice Coalition convened an elder justice summit in 2013
during which 140 experts and advocates identified shortcomings
in California's response to elder abuse and proposed promising
solutions, including an Elder Justice Blue Ribbon Panel to
focus on the problem.
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This resolution proclaims and acknowledges the month of June
2015 and every year thereafter as Elder and Vulnerable Adult
Abuse Awareness Month.
Prior Legislation
HR 13 (Yamada, 2011) proclaimed and acknowledged the month of
May 2011 and every year thereafter, as the Elder and Vulnerable
Adult Abuse Awareness Month. The resolution was adopted by the
Assembly.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified6/15/15)
California Commission on Aging (co-source)
California Elder Justice Coalition (co-source)
Association of Regional Center Agencies
OPPOSITION: (Verified6/15/15)
None received
Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520
6/15/15 15:38:27
**** END ****
ACR 71
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