SJ0013 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0013 LRB101 08574 MST 53653 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an adult, age 60 or older, with forms of abuse including physical, sexual, neglect, financial, and emotional or psychological; and

WHEREAS, Elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation is a serious problem that is severely underreported; it is estimated that only between 1 in 14 and 1 in 23 instances of abuse and neglect are actually reported; and

WHEREAS, Elder abuse can have several physical and emotional effects on an older adult, including pain, soreness, fear, anxiety, and even premature death; and

WHEREAS, The State has a responsibility to protect these older adults from mistreatment and exploitation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Elder Abuse Task Force to investigate the effectiveness of current elder protective services and laws, examine barriers to prosecution and strategies to increase public awareness of elder abuse and reporting, study training resources and best practices in other states, and identify a long-range plan to combat elder abuse; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members who must be appointed within 30 days after the passage of this resolution:

(1)The President of the Senate or his designee;

(2)The Speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee;

(3)The Minority Leader of the Senate or his designee;

(4)The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or his designee;

(5)One member appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(6)One member appointed by the Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services;

(7)One member appointed by the Director of the Department of Public Health;

(8)One member appointed by the Director of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation;

(9)One member appointed by the Director of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission;

(10)One member appointed by the Attorney General;

(11)One member representing area agencies on aging appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(12)One member representing the Ombudsman's Office of the Department on Aging appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(13)One member representing the Adult Protective Services Office of the Department on Aging appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(14)Two members representing two different statewide organizations that advocate on behalf of nursing homes appointed by the President of the Senate;

(15)A member representing caregivers in the Community Care Program of the Department on Aging appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(16)A member representing a statewide association that advocates on behalf of the banking industry appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(17)A member representing the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit appointed by the Director of the Illinois State Police;

(18)A member representing a statewide association that advocates on behalf of law enforcement appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(19)A member representing an organization that specializes in providing legal services for persons age 60 appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging;

(20)A member who is a certified Elderly Service Officer, serving as a law enforcement officer in a county with a population between 250,000 and 275,000 appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging; and

(21)A member who is an Assistant State's Attorney in a county with a population between 250,000 and 275,000 specializing in the area of crimes against those over the age of 60 appointed by the Director of the Department on Aging; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Task Force members shall select a Chairperson from among themselves; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Task Force members shall receive no compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department on Aging shall provide administrative support to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall hold at least four meetings, and the first meeting must be held within 30 days after appointments are finalized; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2020, and upon the filing of its report, is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.