State of Illinois
90th General Assembly
Legislation

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90_SB1835eng

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          Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect  Act.   Adds  specific
      examples  to  the  definition  of  abuse,  includes financial
      exploitation  as  an  abusive  behavior,  identifies  certain
      persons  as  mandated  reporters  of   abuse,   neglect,   or
      exploitation  of  eligible adults, and expands the Department
      on Aging's responsibilities to include promotion of awareness
      of elder abuse issues, coordination  of  efforts  with  other
      agencies,  and  other  duties.  Includes those not defined as
      eligible for services under this Act as persons,  reports  of
      abuse  of  whom,  the  Department shall respond to under this
      Act.  Makes other changes.    Amends  the  Code  of  Criminal
      Procedure.   Creates  a  hearsay  exception  for out of court
      statements made by an eligible adult, as defined in the Elder
      Abuse  and  Neglect  Act,  regarding   abuse,   neglect,   or
      exploitation   in  the  prosecution  for  a  number  of  acts
      perpetrated against an eligible adult.  Amends  the  Code  of
      Civil  Procedure to create a similar hearsay exception in all
      civil cases.   Amends the Probate Act of 1975 to exclude,  in
      addition  to  the  Office  of  State  Guardian,  elder  abuse
      provider  agencies from the requirement of paying guardian ad
      litem fees, and to exclude the Office of State  Guardian  and
      elder  abuse provider agencies from the requirement of paying
      legal fees, when the respondent is  unable  to  pay  and  the
      elder abuse provider agency is the petitioner.
                                                    LRB9009206SMdvA
SB1835 Engrossed                              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1        AN ACT regarding elder abuse, amending named Acts.
 2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:
 4        Section 5.  The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act is amended by
 5    changing Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 11, and by  adding
 6    Sections 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, and 13 as follows:
 7        (320 ILCS 20/2) (from Ch. 23, par. 6602)
 8        Sec.  2.   Definitions.   As used in this Act, unless the
 9    context requires otherwise:
10        (a)  "Abuse" means causing any physical, mental or sexual
11    injury to an eligible adult, including exploitation  of  such
12    adult's financial resources.
13        Nothing  in  this  Act shall be construed to mean that an
14    eligible adult is a victim of abuse or neglect for  the  sole
15    reason  that he or she is being furnished with or relies upon
16    treatment  by  spiritual  means  through  prayer  alone,   in
17    accordance  with  the  tenets  and  practices of a recognized
18    church or religious denomination.
19        Nothing in this Act shall be construed to  mean  that  an
20    eligible  adult  is  a victim of abuse because of health care
21    services  provided   or   not   provided   by   health   care
22    professionals.
23        (a-5)  "Abuser"  means  a person who abuses, neglects, or
24    financially exploits an eligible adult.
25        (a-7)  "Caregiver" means a person who either as a  result
26    of  a  family  relationship,  voluntarily, or in exchange for
27    compensation has assumed responsibility for all or a  portion
28    of  the  care  of an eligible adult who needs assistance with
29    activities of daily living.
30        (b)  "Department" means the Department on  Aging  of  the
31    State of Illinois.
SB1835 Engrossed            -2-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1        (c)  "Director" means the Director of the Department.
 2        (d)  "Domestic  living situation" means a residence where
 3    the eligible adult lives alone or with his or her family or a
 4    caretaker, or others, or a  board  and  care  home  or  other
 5    community-based unlicensed facility, but is not:
 6             (1)    A  licensed  facility  as  defined in Section
 7        1-113 of the Nursing Home Care Act;
 8             (2)  A "life care facility" as defined in  the  Life
 9        Care Facilities Act;
10             (3)  A home, institution, or other place operated by
11        the  federal government or agency thereof or by the State
12        of Illinois;
13             (4)  A hospital, sanitarium, or  other  institution,
14        the  principal  activity  or  business  of  which  is the
15        diagnosis, care, and treatment of human  illness  through
16        the  maintenance  and  operation  of organized facilities
17        therefor, which is required  to  be  licensed  under  the
18        Hospital Licensing Act;
19             (5)  A "community living facility" as defined in the
20        Community Living Facilities Licensing Act;
21             (6)  A   "community   residential   alternative"  as
22        defined  in  the   Community   Residential   Alternatives
23        Licensing Act; and
24             (7)  A  "community-integrated living arrangement" as
25        defined in the Community-Integrated  Living  Arrangements
26        Licensure and Certification Act.
27        (e)  "Eligible  adult"  means a person 60 years of age or
28    older who resides in a domestic setting and is, or is alleged
29    to be, abused, or  neglected,  or  financially  exploited  by
30    another individual.
31        (f)  "Emergency"  means  a situation in which an eligible
32    adult is living in conditions presenting a risk of  death  or
33    physical, mental or sexual injury and the provider agency has
34    reason  to believe the eligible adult is unable to consent to
SB1835 Engrossed            -3-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    services which would alleviate that risk.
 2        (f-5)  "Mandated reporter" or "reporter" means any of the
 3    following  persons  while  engaged  in  carrying  out   their
 4    professional duties:
 5             (1)  a professional or professional's delegate while
 6        engaged  in:  (i)  social services, (ii) law enforcement,
 7        (iii) education, (iv) the care of an  eligible  adult  or
 8        eligible  adults,  or (v) any of the occupations required
 9        to be licensed under the Clinical Psychologist  Licensing
10        Act,  the  Clinical  Social Work and Social Work Practice
11        Act, the Illinois Dental Practice Act, the  Dietetic  and
12        Nutrition  Services Practice Act, the Marriage and Family
13        Therapy Licensing Act, the Medical Practice Act of  1987,
14        the Naprapathic Practice Act, the Illinois Nursing Act of
15        1987,  the  Nursing  Home  Administrators  Licensing  and
16        Disciplinary   Act,  the  Illinois  Occupational  Therapy
17        Practice Act, the Illinois  Optometric  Practice  Act  of
18        1987,  the  Pharmacy  Practice  Act of 1987, the Illinois
19        Physical Therapy Act, the  Physician  Assistant  Practice
20        Act  of 1987, the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of 1987,
21        the  Professional  Counselor  and  Clinical  Professional
22        Counselor Licensing  Act,  the  Illinois  Speech-Language
23        Pathology  and  Audiology  Practice  Act,  the Veterinary
24        Medicine and  Surgery  Practice  Act  of  1994,  and  the
25        Illinois Public Accounting Act;
26             (2)  an  employee  of  a  vocational  rehabilitation
27        facility  prescribed  or  supervised by the Department of
28        Human Services;
29             (3)  an administrator, employee, or person providing
30        services in or  through  an  unlicensed  community  based
31        facility;
32             (4)  a Christian Science Practitioner;
33             (5)  field  personnel  of  the  Department of Public
34        Aid, Department of Public Health, and Department of Human
SB1835 Engrossed            -4-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1        Services, and any county or municipal health department;
 2             (6)  personnel of the Department of Human  Services,
 3        the  Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, the State Fire
 4        Marshal, local fire departments, the Department on  Aging
 5        and  its  subsidiary  Area Agencies on Aging and provider
 6        agencies,  and  the  Office  of  State  Long  Term   Care
 7        Ombudsman;
 8             (7)  any  employee  of  the  State  of  Illinois not
 9        otherwise specified herein who is involved  in  providing
10        services  to  eligible  adults,  including  professionals
11        providing  medical  or  rehabilitation  services  and all
12        other persons having direct contact with eligible adults;
13             (8)  any employee of a  "financial  institution"  as
14        defined in Section 1 of the Consumer Deposit Account Act;
15             (9)  any  person acting as a dealer, salesperson, or
16        investment adviser as those  terms  are  defined  in  the
17        Illinois Securities Law of 1953; or
18             (10)  a  person who performs the duties of a coroner
19        or medical examiner.
20        (g)  "Neglect"  means  another  individual's  failure  to
21    provide an eligible adult with or willful withholding from an
22    eligible adult the necessities of  life  including,  but  not
23    limited  to,  food,  clothing,  shelter or medical care. This
24    subsection does  not  create  any  new  affirmative  duty  to
25    provide  support  to  eligible  adults.   Nothing in this Act
26    shall be construed to mean that an eligible adult is a victim
27    of neglect because of health care services  provided  or  not
28    provided by health care professionals.
29        (h)  "Provider  agency"  means  any  public  or nonprofit
30    agency in a  planning  and  service  area  appointed  by  the
31    regional  administrative  agency  with  prior approval by the
32    Department on Aging to receive and assess reports of  alleged
33    or suspected abuse, or neglect, or financial exploitation.
34        (i)  "Regional administrative agency" means any public or
SB1835 Engrossed            -5-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    nonprofit agency in a planning and service area so designated
 2    by  the  Department, provided that the designated Area Agency
 3    on Aging shall  be  designated  the  regional  administrative
 4    agency  if  it  so  requests. The Department shall assume the
 5    functions of  the  regional  administrative  agency  for  any
 6    planning  and  service  area  where  another agency is not so
 7    designated.
 8        (j)  "Substantiated  case"  means  a  reported  case   of
 9    alleged   or   suspected  abuse,  or  neglect,  or  financial
10    exploitation in which a provider  agency,  after  assessment,
11    determines that there is reason to believe abuse, or neglect,
12    or financial exploitation has occurred.
13    (Source: P.A. 86-820; 87-264.)
14        (320 ILCS 20/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 6603)
15        Sec. 3.  Responsibilities.
16        (a)  The  Department shall establish, design and manage a
17    program of response and services for persons 60 years of  age
18    and  older  who  have  been, or are alleged to be, victims of
19    elder abuse, or  neglect,  or  financial  exploitation.   The
20    Department  shall contract with or fund or, contract with and
21    fund, regional administrative agencies, or provider agencies,
22    or  both,  for  the  provision  of  those   functions,   and,
23    contingent  on  adequate  funding,  with  attorneys  or legal
24    services  provider  agencies  for  the  provision  of   legal
25    assistance services pursuant to this Act.
26        (b)  Each  regional administrative agency shall designate
27    provider agencies within its planning and service  area  with
28    prior approval by the Department on Aging, monitor the use of
29    services,   provide  technical  assistance  to  the  provider
30    agencies and be involved in program development activities.
31        (c)  Provider  agencies  shall  assist,  to  the   extent
32    possible,  eligible  adults who need agency services to allow
33    them to continue to function independently.  Such  assistance
SB1835 Engrossed            -6-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    shall  include  but  not  be  limited to receiving reports of
 2    alleged  or  suspected  abuse,  or  neglect,   or   financial
 3    exploitation,  conducting  face-to-face  assessments  of such
 4    reported  cases,  determination   of   substantiated   cases,
 5    referral   of   substantiated  cases  for  necessary  support
 6    services, referral of criminal conduct to law enforcement  in
 7    accordance  with Department guidelines, and provision of case
 8    work and follow-up services on substantiated cases.
 9    (Source: P.A. 85-1184.)
10        (320 ILCS 20/3.5 new)
11        Sec. 3.5.  Other Responsibilities.  The Department  shall
12    also  be responsible for the following activities, contingent
13    upon adequate funding:
14        (a)  promotion of a  wide  range  of  endeavors  for  the
15    purpose  of  preventing  elder  abuse, neglect, and financial
16    exploitation in both  domestic  and  institutional  settings,
17    including,  but  not  limited  to,  promotion  of  public and
18    professional education to increase awareness of elder  abuse,
19    neglect, and financial exploitation, to increase reports, and
20    to  improve  response  by  various  legal, social, and health
21    systems;
22        (b)  coordination  of  efforts   with   other   agencies,
23    councils,  and  like  entities, to include but not be limited
24    to, the Office of the Attorney General, the State Police, the
25    Law Enforcement  Training  and  Standards  Board,  the  State
26    Triad,   the  Criminal  Justice  Information  Authority,  the
27    Departments of Public Health, Public Aid, and Human Services,
28    the  Family  Violence  Coordinating  Council,  the   Violence
29    Prevention  Authority,  and  other  entities which may impact
30    awareness of, and response  to,  elder  abuse,  neglect,  and
31    financial exploitation;
32        (c)  collection and analysis of data;
33        (d)  monitoring    of   the   performance   of   regional
SB1835 Engrossed            -7-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    administrative agencies and elder  abuse  provider  agencies;
 2    and
 3        (e)  promotion of prevention activities.
 4        (320 ILCS 20/4) (from Ch. 23, par. 6604)
 5        Sec. 4.  Reports of abuse or neglect.
 6        (a)  Any person who suspects the wishing to report a case
 7    of  alleged  or  suspected  abuse,  or  neglect, or financial
 8    exploitation of an eligible adult may make such a report this
 9    suspicion to an agency designated  to  receive  such  reports
10    under this Act or to the Department.
11        (a-5)  If  any  mandated  reporter  has reason to believe
12    that an eligible adult, who because of dysfunction is  unable
13    to  seek  assistance  for himself or herself, has, within the
14    previous 12 months, been  subjected  to  abuse,  neglect,  or
15    financial  exploitation,  the mandated reporter shall, within
16    24 hours after developing such belief, report this  suspicion
17    to  an  agency  designated to receive such reports under this
18    Act or to the Department.  Whenever a  mandated  reporter  is
19    required to report under this Act in his or her capacity as a
20    member  of  the staff of a medical or other public or private
21    institution, facility, board and care home, or agency, he  or
22    she  shall  make  a report to an agency designated to receive
23    such  reports  under  this  Act  or  to  the  Department   in
24    accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act and may also
25    notify the person in charge  of  the  institution,  facility,
26    board and care home, or agency or his or her designated agent
27    that  the report has been made.  Under no circumstances shall
28    any person in charge of such institution, facility, board and
29    care home, or agency, or his or her designated agent to  whom
30    the   notification  has  been  made,  exercise  any  control,
31    restraint, modification, or other change in the report or the
32    forwarding of the report to an agency designated  to  receive
33    such  reports  under  this  Act  or  to  the Department.  The
SB1835 Engrossed            -8-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    privileged quality of communication between any  professional
 2    person  required  to  report and his or her patient or client
 3    shall not apply to situations involving abused, neglected, or
 4    financially  exploited  eligible   adults   and   shall   not
 5    constitute  grounds for failure to report as required by this
 6    Act.
 7        (a-7)  A person making a report under  this  Act  in  the
 8    belief that it is in the alleged victim's best interest shall
 9    be  immune  from  criminal or civil liability or professional
10    disciplinary  action  on  account  of  making   the   report,
11    notwithstanding     any     requirements    concerning    the
12    confidentiality of information with respect to such  eligible
13    adult patient which might otherwise be applicable.
14        (a-9)  Law  enforcement officers shall continue to report
15    incidents of alleged abuse pursuant to the Illinois  Domestic
16    Violence  Act of 1986, notwithstanding any requirements under
17    this Act.
18        (b)  Any person, institution or agency  participating  in
19    the  making  of  a  report,  providing information or records
20    related  to   a   report,   assessment,   or   services,   or
21    participating in the investigation of a report under this Act
22    in good faith, or taking photographs or x-rays as a result of
23    an authorized assessment, shall have immunity from any civil,
24    criminal  or  other liability in any civil, criminal or other
25    proceeding brought in consequence of making  such  report  or
26    assessment   or   on   account  of  submitting  or  otherwise
27    disclosing  such  photographs  or  x-rays   to   any   agency
28    designated  to  receive reports of alleged or suspected abuse
29    or neglect. Any person, institution or agency  authorized  by
30    the   Department  to  provide  assessment,  intervention,  or
31    administrative services under this Act  shall,  in  the  good
32    faith  performance  of those services, have immunity from any
33    civil, criminal or other liability in any civil, criminal, or
34    other proceeding brought as a consequence of the  performance
SB1835 Engrossed            -9-               LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    of  those  services. For the purposes of any civil, criminal,
 2    or other proceeding, the good faith of any person required to
 3    report,  permitted  to  report,  or   participating   in   an
 4    investigation  of  a  report  of  alleged or suspected abuse,
 5    neglect, or financial exploitation shall be presumed.
 6        (c)  The identity of a person making a report of  alleged
 7    or suspected abuse or neglect under this Act may be disclosed
 8    by  the  Department  or other agency provided for in this Act
 9    only with such person's written consent or by court order.
10        (d)  The Department shall by rule establish a system  for
11    filing and compiling reports made under this Act.
12    (Source: P.A. 87-264; 87-435.)
13        (320 ILCS 20/4.1 new)
14        Sec.  4.1.   Employer  discrimination.  No employer shall
15    discharge, demote  or  suspend,  or  threaten  to  discharge,
16    demote  or suspend, or in any manner discriminate against any
17    employee who makes any good faith oral or written  report  of
18    suspected  elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or
19    who is or will be a witness or testify in  any  investigation
20    or  proceeding  concerning a report of suspected elder abuse,
21    neglect, or financial exploitation.
22        (320 ILCS 20/4.2 new)
23        Sec.  4.2.   Any  person  who  makes  a  report  or   who
24    investigates  a  report under this Act shall testify fully in
25    any judicial proceeding resulting from such report, as to any
26    evidence of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or  the
27    cause  thereof.   Any  person  who  is  required  to report a
28    suspected case of abuse, neglect, or  financial  exploitation
29    under  Section  4  of  this  Act  shall  testify fully in any
30    administrative hearing resulting from such report, as to  any
31    evidence  of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation or the
32    cause thereof.  No evidence shall be excluded  by  reason  of
SB1835 Engrossed            -10-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    any   common   law   or   statutory   privilege  relating  to
 2    communications between the alleged  abuser  or  the  eligible
 3    adult  subject  of  the  report under this Act and the person
 4    making or investigating the report.
 5        (320 ILCS 20/5) (from Ch. 23, par. 6605)
 6        Sec. 5.  Procedure.
 7        (a)  A provider agency designated to receive  reports  of
 8    alleged   or   suspected  abuse,  or  neglect,  or  financial
 9    exploitation under this Act  shall,  upon  receiving  such  a
10    report,  conduct  a  face-to-face  assessment with respect to
11    such report.   The  assessment  shall  include,  but  not  be
12    limited  to,  a  visit to the residence of the eligible adult
13    who is the subject of the report and may  include  interviews
14    or consultations with service agencies or individuals who may
15    have  knowledge  of  the eligible adult's circumstances.  If,
16    after the assessment, the provider agency determines that the
17    case is substantiated it shall develop a  service  care  plan
18    for the eligible adult.  In developing the plan, the provider
19    agency  may  consult  with  any other appropriate provider of
20    services, and such providers shall be immune  from  civil  or
21    criminal  liability  on account of such acts.  The plan shall
22    include alternative suggested or recommended  services  which
23    are  appropriate to the needs of the eligible adult and which
24    involve  the  least  restriction  of  the  eligible   adult's
25    activities  commensurate  with  his or her needs.  Only those
26    services to which consent  is  provided  in  accordance  with
27    Section  9 of this Act shall be provided, contingent upon the
28    availability of such services.
29        (b)  A provider agency shall  refer  evidence  of  crimes
30    against  an eligible adult to the appropriate law enforcement
31    agency according to Department policies.  A referral  to  law
32    enforcement  may  be  made  at  intake or any time during the
33    case.  Where a provider agency  has  reason  to  believe  the
SB1835 Engrossed            -11-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    death  of  an    eligible adult may be the result of abuse or
 2    neglect, the agency shall immediately report  the  matter  to
 3    the  coroner  or  medical  examiner and shall cooperate fully
 4    with any subsequent investigation.
 5    (Source: P.A. 85-1184.)
 6        (320 ILCS 20/7) (from Ch. 23, par. 6607)
 7        Sec. 7.  Review.  All services provided  to  an  eligible
 8    adult  shall be reviewed by the provider agency on at least a
 9    quarterly basis for up to not less than one year to determine
10    whether  the  service  care  plan  should  be  continued   or
11    modified.
12    (Source: P.A. 85-1184.)
13        (320 ILCS 20/8) (from Ch. 23, par. 6608)
14        Sec.  8.   Access  to  records.   All  records concerning
15    reports  of  elder  abuse,   and   neglect,   and   financial
16    exploitation  and  all  records generated as a result of such
17    reports shall be confidential  and  shall  not  be  disclosed
18    except  as  specifically  authorized  by  this  Act  or other
19    applicable law.  Access to such records, but  not  access  to
20    the  identity  of  the  person  or persons making a report of
21    alleged abuse,  or  neglect,  or  financial  exploitation  as
22    contained  in such records, shall be allowed to the following
23    persons and for the following persons:
24        (1) (a)  Department staff, provider agency  staff,  other
25    aging network staff, and regional administrative agency staff
26    in the furtherance of their responsibilities under this Act;
27        (2) (b)  A  law enforcement agency investigating known or
28    suspected elder abuse, or neglect, or financial exploitation.
29    Where a provider agency has reason to believe that the  death
30    of  an  eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect,
31    the agency shall  immediately  provide  the  appropriate  law
32    enforcement   agency  with  all  records  pertaining  to  the
SB1835 Engrossed            -12-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    eligible adult;
 2        (3) (c)  A physician who has before him or her or who  is
 3    involved in the treatment of an eligible adult whom he or she
 4    reasonably   suspects   may   be  abused,  or  neglected,  or
 5    financially exploited or who has been referred to  the  Elder
 6    Abuse and Neglect Program;
 7        (4) (d)  An  eligible  adult  reported  to  be abused, or
 8    neglected, or financially exploited, or such adult's guardian
 9    unless such guardian is the abuser or the alleged abuser;
10        (5) (e)  A court or a guardian ad litem, upon its or  his
11    or  her  finding that access to such records may be necessary
12    for the determination of an  issue  before  the  such  court.
13    However,  such  access  shall  be  limited  to  an  in camera
14    inspection of the records, unless the court  determines  that
15    disclosure  of the information contained therein is necessary
16    for the resolution of an issue then pending before it;
17        (6) (f)  A grand jury, upon its determination that access
18    to such records is necessary in the conduct of  its  official
19    business;
20        (7) (g)  Any   person  authorized  by  the  Director,  in
21    writing, for audit or bona fide research purposes;
22        (8) (h)  A coroner or medical examiner who has reason  to
23    believe  that  an  eligible  adult  has died as the result of
24    abuse, or neglect, or financial exploitation.   The  provider
25    agency  shall  immediately  provide  the  coroner  or medical
26    examiner with all records pertaining to the  eligible  adult;
27    and
28        (9) (i)  Department  of Professional Regulation staff and
29    members of the Social Work Examining and  Disciplinary  Board
30    in  the  course  of  investigating  alleged violations of the
31    Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act by provider
32    agency staff.
33    (Source: P.A. 89-387, eff. 8-20-95.)
SB1835 Engrossed            -13-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1        (320 ILCS 20/9) (from Ch. 23, par. 6609)
 2        Sec. 9.  Authority to consent to services.   (a)   If  an
 3    eligible  adult consents to services being provided according
 4    to the service care plan, such services shall be arranged  to
 5    meet  the  adult's  needs,  based  upon  the  availability of
 6    resources to provide such services.  If  an  adult  withdraws
 7    his  or  her  consent or refuses to accept such services, the
 8    services shall not be provided.
 9        (b)  If it reasonably appears to the Department or  other
10    agency designated under this Act that a person is an eligible
11    adult   and  lacks  the  capacity  to  consent  to  necessary
12    services, including an assessment, the  Department  or  other
13    agency  may  seek  the appointment of a temporary guardian as
14    provided in Article XIa of the Probate Act of  1975  for  the
15    purpose of consenting to such services.
16        (c)  A  guardian  of  the person of an eligible adult may
17    consent to services being provided according to  the  service
18    care  plan.   If  a  guardian withdraws his or her consent or
19    refuses to allow services to  be  provided  to  the  eligible
20    adult,  the  Department, an agency designated under this Act,
21    or the office of the Attorney General  may  request  a  court
22    order  an  order  of  protection  under the Illinois Domestic
23    Violence Act of 1986 seeking appropriate remedies, and may in
24    addition request removal of the guardian and appointment of a
25    successor guardian.
26        (d)  If an emergency exists and the Department  or  other
27    agency  designated  under this Act reasonably believes that a
28    person is an eligible adult and lacks the capacity to consent
29    to necessary services, the Department  or  other  agency  may
30    request  an  ex  parte  order  from  the circuit court of the
31    county in which the petitioner or respondent  resides  or  in
32    which   the   alleged   abuse,   or   neglect,  or  financial
33    exploitation occurred, authorizing an assessment of a  report
34    of  alleged  or  suspected  abuse,  or  neglect, or financial
SB1835 Engrossed            -14-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    exploitation or and the provision of necessary  services,  or
 2    both,  including relief available under the Illinois Domestic
 3    Violence Act of 1986.  Petitions filed under this  subsection
 4    shall be treated as expedited proceedings.
 5        (e)  Within  15  days  after  the  entry  of the ex parte
 6    emergency order, the order shall expire, or, if the need  for
 7    assessment  or  services continues, the provider agency shall
 8    petition for the appointment of a  guardian  as  provided  in
 9    Article  XIa  of  the  Probate Act of 1975 for the purpose of
10    consenting to such assessment or services or to  protect  the
11    eligible adult from further harm.
12    (Source: P.A. 85-1184.)
13        (320 ILCS 20/11) (from Ch. 23, par. 6611)
14        Sec. 11.  Annual Reports.  The Department shall file with
15    the  Governor  and  the  General Assembly, within 270 90 days
16    after the end of each fiscal year, a  report  concerning  its
17    implementation  of this Act during such fiscal year, together
18    with any recommendations for future implementation.
19    (Source: P.A. 85-1184.)
20        (320 ILCS 20/13 new)
21        Sec. 13. Access.
22        (a)  The designated provider agencies shall  have  access
23    to  eligible  adults  who  have  been reported or found to be
24    victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in order
25    to assess the validity of the report, assess other  needs  of
26    the  eligible  adult, and provide services in accordance with
27    this Act.
28        (b)  Where access to an eligible  adult  is  denied,  the
29    Office  of  the  Attorney  General,  the  Department,  or the
30    provider agency may  petition  the  court  for  an  order  to
31    require appropriate access where:
32             (1)  a  caregiver or third party has interfered with
SB1835 Engrossed            -15-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1        the assessment or service plan, or
 2             (2)  the agency  has  reason  to  believe  that  the
 3        eligible  adult  is  denying  access because of coercion,
 4        extortion, or justifiable fear of future abuse,  neglect,
 5        or financial exploitation.
 6        (c)  The  petition  for  an  order  requiring appropriate
 7    access shall be afforded an expedited hearing in the  circuit
 8    court.
 9        (d)  If the elder abuse provider agency has substantiated
10    financial  exploitation  against  an  eligible adult, and has
11    documented a reasonable belief that the eligible  adult  will
12    be   irreparably   harmed   as  a  result  of  the  financial
13    exploitation,  the  Office  of  the  Attorney  General,   the
14    Department,  or the provider agency may petition for an order
15    freezing the assets of the eligible adult. The petition shall
16    be filed in the county or counties in which  the  assets  are
17    located. The court's order  shall prohibit the sale, gifting,
18    transfer,  or  wasting  of  the assets of the eligible adult,
19    both real and personal, owned by, or vested in, the  eligible
20    adult,  without  the  express  permission  of the court.  The
21    petition to freeze the assets of the eligible adult shall  be
22    afforded an expedited hearing in the circuit court.
23        (320 ILCS 20/12 rep.)
24        Section  10.   The Elder Abuse and Neglect Act is amended
25    by repealing Section 12.
26        Section 15.  The Code of Criminal Procedure  of  1963  is
27    amended by adding Section 115-10.3 as follows:
28        (725 ILCS 5/115-10.3 new)
29        Sec. 115-10.3.  Hearsay exception regarding elder adults.
30        (a)  In  a  prosecution  for abuse, neglect, or financial
31    exploitation perpetrated upon or against an  eligible  adult,
SB1835 Engrossed            -16-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    as  defined  in  the  Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, who at the
 2    time the act was committed has been diagnosed by a  physician
 3    to  suffer  from  (i)  any  form  of  dementia, developmental
 4    disability, or other form of mental incapacity  or  (ii)  any
 5    physical   infirmity  which  prevents  the  eligible  adult's
 6    appearance  in  court,   including   but   not   limited   to
 7    prosecutions  for  violations  of  Sections 10-1, 10-2, 10-3,
 8    10-3.1, 10-4, 11-11, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-3.2, 12-4,  12-4.1,
 9    12-4.2,  12-4.5,  12-4.6, 12-4.7, 12-5, 12-6, 12-7.3, 12-7.4,
10    12-11, 12-13, 12-14, 12-15, 12-16, 12-21, 16-1,  16-1.3,  and
11    17-3  of  the  Criminal  Code of 1961, the following evidence
12    shall be admitted as an exception to the hearsay rule:
13             (1)  testimony by an eligible adult, of  an  out  of
14        court  statement  made  by the eligible adult, that he or
15        she complained of such act to another; and
16             (2)  testimony of an out of court statement made  by
17        the  eligible adult, describing any complaint of such act
18        or matter or detail pertaining to any  act  which  is  an
19        element   of  an  offense  which  is  the  subject  of  a
20        prosecution for abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation
21        perpetrated upon or  against the eligible adult.
22        (b)  Such testimony shall only be admitted if:
23             (1)  The court finds in a hearing conducted  outside
24        the  presence  of  the  jury  that the time, content, and
25        circumstances  of  the   statement   provide   sufficient
26        safeguards of reliability; and
27             (2)  The eligible adult either:
28                  (A)  testifies at the proceeding; or
29                  (B)  is  unavailable  as a witness and there is
30             corroborative evidence  of  the  act  which  is  the
31             subject of the statement.
32        (c)  If a statement is admitted pursuant to this Section,
33    the  court shall instruct the jury that it is for the jury to
34    determine  the  weight  and  credibility  to  be  given   the
SB1835 Engrossed            -17-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    statement  and  that,  in  making the determination, it shall
 2    consider the condition of the eligible adult, the  nature  of
 3    the  statement,  the  circumstances under which the statement
 4    was made, and any other relevant factor.
 5        (d)  The  proponent  of  the  statement  shall  give  the
 6    adverse party reasonable notice of his or  her  intention  to
 7    offer the statement and the particulars of the statement.
 8        Section  20.   The  Code of Civil Procedure is amended by
 9    adding Part 27 to Article VIII as follows:
10        (735 ILCS 5/Art. VIII, Part 27 heading new)
11                       PART 27.  ELDER ADULTS
12        (735 ILCS 5/8-2701 new)
13        Sec. 8-2701. Admissibility  of  evidence;  out  of  court
14    statements; elder abuse.
15        (a)  An out of court statement made by an eligible adult,
16    as  defined  in the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act, who has been
17    diagnosed by a physician to  suffer  from  (i)  any  form  of
18    dementia,  developmental  disability, or other form of mental
19    incapacity or (ii) any physical infirmity which prevents  the
20    eligible  adult's  appearance in court, describing any act of
21    elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, or testimony
22    by an eligible adult of an out of court statement made by the
23    eligible adult that he or she  complained  of  such  acts  to
24    another, is admissible in any civil proceeding, if:
25             (1)  the   court  conducts  a  hearing  outside  the
26        presence of the jury and finds that  the  time,  content,
27        and  circumstances  of  the  statement provide sufficient
28        safeguards of reliability; and
29             (2)  the eligible adult either:
30                  (A)  testifies at the proceeding; or
31                  (B)  is unavailable as a witness and  there  is
SB1835 Engrossed            -18-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1             corroborative  evidence  of  the  act  which  is the
 2             subject of the statement.
 3        (b)  If a statement is admitted pursuant to this Section,
 4    the court shall instruct the jury that it is for the jury  to
 5    determine  the  weight  and  credibility  to  be given to the
 6    statement and that, in making  its  determination,  it  shall
 7    consider  the  condition of the eligible adult, the nature of
 8    the statement, the circumstances under  which  the  statement
 9    was made, and any other relevant factors.
10        (c)  The  proponent  of  the  statement  shall  give  the
11    adverse  party reasonable notice of an intention to offer the
12    statement and the particulars of the statement.
13        Section 25.  The  Probate  Act  of  1975  is  amended  by
14    changing Section 11a-10 as follows:
15        (755 ILCS 5/11a-10) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-10)
16        Sec. 11a-10.  Procedures preliminary to hearing.)
17        (a)  Upon  the  filing  of a petition pursuant to Section
18    11a-8, the court shall set a date and place  for  hearing  to
19    take  place  within  30  days.   The  court  shall  appoint a
20    guardian ad litem to  report  to  the  court  concerning  the
21    respondent's best interests consistent with the provisions of
22    this  Section,  except  that the appointment of a guardian ad
23    litem shall not be required when the  court  determines  that
24    such  appointment  is not necessary for the protection of the
25    respondent or a reasonably informed decision on the petition.
26    If the guardian ad litem is not a licensed  attorney,  he  or
27    she  shall  be  qualified, by training or experience, to work
28    with or advocate for the developmentally  disabled,  mentally
29    ill,  physically  disabled,  the elderly, or persons disabled
30    because of mental deterioration, depending  on  the  type  of
31    disability  that  is  alleged  in the petition. The court may
32    allow the guardian ad  litem  reasonable  compensation.   The
SB1835 Engrossed            -19-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    guardian  ad  litem may consult with a person who by training
 2    or experience is  qualified  to  work  with  persons  with  a
 3    developmental  disability,  persons  with  mental illness, or
 4    physically disabled persons, or persons disabled  because  of
 5    mental  deterioration,  depending  on  the type of disability
 6    that is alleged.  The  guardian  ad  litem  shall  personally
 7    observe  the respondent prior to the hearing and shall inform
 8    him orally and in writing of the contents of the petition and
 9    of his rights under Section 11a-11.  The  guardian  ad  litem
10    shall  also  attempt  to  elicit  the  respondent's  position
11    concerning  the  adjudication  of  disability,  the  proposed
12    guardian, a proposed change in residential placement, changes
13    in  care  that  might result from the guardianship, and other
14    areas of inquiry deemed appropriate by  the  court.    At  or
15    before  the  hearing,  the  guardian  ad  litem  shall file a
16    written report detailing  his  or  her  observations  of  the
17    respondent,  the  responses  of  the respondent to any of the
18    inquires  detailed  in  this  Section,  the  opinion  of  the
19    guardian ad  litem  or  other  professionals  with  whom  the
20    guardian ad litem consulted concerning the appropriateness of
21    guardianship,  and any other material issue discovered by the
22    guardian ad litem.  The guardian ad litem shall appear at the
23    hearing and testify as to any issues presented in his or  her
24    report.
25        (b)  The   court   (1)   may   appoint  counsel  for  the
26    respondent, if the court finds  that  the  interests  of  the
27    respondent  will  be  best served by the appointment, and (2)
28    shall appoint counsel upon respondent's  request  or  if  the
29    respondent  takes  a position adverse to that of the guardian
30    ad litem.  The respondent shall be permitted  to  obtain  the
31    appointment  of  counsel  either  at  the  hearing  or by any
32    written or oral request communicated to the  court  prior  to
33    the hearing.  The summons shall inform the respondent of this
34    right  to  obtain  appointed  counsel.  The  court  may allow
SB1835 Engrossed            -20-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    counsel for the respondent reasonable compensation.
 2        (c)  If the respondent is unable to pay the  fee  of  the
 3    guardian  ad  litem  or appointed counsel, or both, the court
 4    may enter an order for the petitioner to pay all such fees or
 5    such amounts as the respondent or the respondent's estate may
 6    be unable to pay. However, in cases where the Office of State
 7    Guardian is the petitioner, consistent with Section 30 of the
 8    Guardianship and  Advocacy  Act,  or  where  an  elder  abuse
 9    provider  agency  is the petitioner, pursuant to Section 9 of
10    the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act,  no  guardian  ad  litem  or
11    legal  fees  shall  be  assessed  against the Office of State
12    Guardian or the elder abuse provider agency.
13        (d)  The hearing may be held at such convenient place  as
14    the  court  directs,  including  at  a  facility in which the
15    respondent resides.
16        (e)  Unless he is the petitioner, the respondent shall be
17    personally served with a copy of the petition and  a  summons
18    not  less  than 14 days before the hearing. The summons shall
19    be  printed  in  large,  bold  type  and  shall  include  the
20    following notice:
21                   NOTICE OF RIGHTS OF RESPONDENT
22        You have been named as a  respondent  in  a  guardianship
23    petition  asking  that you be declared a disabled person.  If
24    the court grants the petition, a guardian will  be  appointed
25    for you.  A copy of the guardianship petition is attached for
26    your convenience.
27    The date and time of the hearing are:
28    The place where the hearing will occur is:
29    The Judge's name and phone number is:
30        If  a  guardian is appointed for you, the guardian may be
31    given the right to make all important personal decisions  for
32    you,  such  as where you may live, what medical treatment you
33    may receive, what places you may visit,  and  who  may  visit
34    you.   A  guardian may also be given the right to control and
SB1835 Engrossed            -21-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1    manage your money and other property, including your home, if
 2    you own one.  You may lose the right to make these  decisions
 3    for yourself.
 4        You have the following legal rights:
 5             (1)  You  have  the right to be present at the court
 6        hearing.
 7             (2)  You have the  right  to  be  represented  by  a
 8        lawyer,  either  one that you retain, or one appointed by
 9        the Judge.
10             (3)  You have the right to ask for  a  jury  of  six
11        persons to hear your case.
12             (4)  You  have  the right to present evidence to the
13        court and to confront and cross-examine witnesses.
14             (5)  You have the right to ask the Judge to  appoint
15        an  independent expert to examine you and give an opinion
16        about your need for a guardian.
17             (6)  You have  the  right  to  ask  that  the  court
18        hearing be closed to the public.
19             (7)  You  have  the right to tell the court whom you
20        prefer to have for your guardian.
21        You do not have to attend the court hearing if you do not
22    want to be there.  If  you  do  not  attend,  the  Judge  may
23    appoint  a  guardian if the Judge finds that a guardian would
24    be of benefit to you.  The hearing will not be  postponed  or
25    canceled if you do not attend.
26        IT  IS  VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND THE HEARING IF YOU
27    DO NOT WANT A GUARDIAN OR IF YOU WANT SOMEONE OTHER THAN  THE
28    PERSON   NAMED  IN  THE  GUARDIANSHIP  PETITION  TO  BE  YOUR
29    GUARDIAN.  IF YOU DO NOT WANT A GUARDIAN OF IF YOU  HAVE  ANY
30    OTHER  PROBLEMS,  YOU  SHOULD  CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR COME TO
31    COURT AND TELL THE JUDGE.
32        Service of summons and the petition  may  be  made  by  a
33    private  person 18 years of age or over who is not a party to
34    the action.
SB1835 Engrossed            -22-              LRB9009206SMdvA
 1        (f)  Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be
 2    given by the  petitioner  by  mail  or  in  person  to  those
 3    persons,  including  the  proposed  guardian, whose names and
 4    addresses appear in the petition and who do not waive notice,
 5    not less than 14 days before the hearing.
 6    (Source: P.A. 88-380; 89-396, eff. 8-20-95.)

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