87R16663 KFF-D
By: Lopez, Anchia H.B. No. 1800
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1800:
By: Hinojosa C.S.H.B. No. 1800
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study to evaluate the effectiveness of community
collaboratives in addressing the exploitation of elderly persons in
this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Community collaborative" means a model under
which entities with an interest in preventing exploitation of
elderly persons collaborate to help prevent, protect against, and
prosecute that exploitation.
(2) "Department" means the Department of Family and
Protective Services.
(3) "Elderly person" and "exploitation" have the
meanings assigned by Section 48.002, Human Resources Code.
SECTION 2. STUDY ON COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVES TO ADDRESS
EXPLOITATION OF ELDERLY PERSONS. (a) Using existing resources,
the department shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of
community collaboratives, including multidisciplinary teams, in
addressing the exploitation of elderly persons. The study must:
(1) identify and evaluate national and state community
collaborative models, including existing models in this state and
in other states;
(2) collect outcome data available with respect to the
various models, including:
(A) the number of prosecutions commenced;
(B) the amount of restitution obtained; and
(C) the efficacy of prevention efforts;
(3) identify key models and determine the primary
types of participating entities and services provided under those
models;
(4) assess the role of the governmental provider of
adult protective services within the various models and how that
role contributes to outcomes;
(5) analyze which models have a prosecuting attorney
that has an independent unit committed to investigating and
prosecuting financial exploitation;
(6) analyze how different geographical areas of this
state that represent diverse communities with different resources
and services use different models;
(7) determine key components of models that are
effective in preventing, protecting against, and prosecuting the
exploitation of elderly persons; and
(8) examine costs associated with effective models.
(b) In conducting the study required by this section, the
department:
(1) shall consult with the Elder Financial Safety
Center or another entity familiar with designing and maintaining
similar community collaboratives; and
(2) may consult with:
(A) a local court with jurisdiction over
guardianship proceedings; or
(B) the office of a prosecuting attorney that has
an independent unit committed to investigating and prosecuting
exploitation.
SECTION 3. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1, 2022,
the department shall prepare and submit a written report to the
governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and members of the standing committees of the
senate and the house of representatives with jurisdiction over the
department. The department may submit the report in an electronic
format.
(b) The report under this section must include:
(1) a summary of the results of the study conducted
under Section 2 of this Act; and
(2) recommendations based on the results of that
study.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2021.