By: Thimesch H.B. No. 4655
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the vulnerable adult protection
task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Task force" means the vulnerable adult protection
task force established by this Act.
(2) "Vulnerable adult" means:
(A) an elderly person as that term is defined by
Section 48.002, Human Resources Code; or
(B) a person with a disability as that term is
defined by Section 48.002, Human Resources Code.
(b) The vulnerable adult protection task force is
established to study abuse of vulnerable adults in this state.
(c) The task force is composed of:
(1) the commissioner of the Health and Human Services
Commission or the commissioner's designee;
(2) the executive commissioner of the Department of
State Health Services or the executive commissioner's designee;
(3) the banking commissioner of the Texas Department
of Banking or the banking commissioner's designee;
(4) the commissioner of insurance of the Texas
Department of Insurance or the commissioner of insurance's
designee;
(5) a district attorney selected by the Texas District
and County Attorneys Association;
(6) a representative from the Department of Public
Safety;
(7) a representative from the banking industry;
(8) a representative from the credit union industry;
(9) a representative of an unaffiliated nonprofit
organization that advocates for elderly persons statewide; and
(10) a representative of the health care industry.
(d) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
service on the task force or reimbursement for expenses incurred in
performing task force duties.
(e) The task force shall:
(1) assess the status of vulnerable adults in this
state;
(2) examine existing services and resources
addressing the needs of vulnerable adults in this state and any
barriers impeding those services and resources;
(3) determine the economic and human impact of
financial exploitation of vulnerable adults in this state;
(4) review possible solutions that could reduce the
incidents of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults in this
state; and
(5) develop recommendations to address abuse of
vulnerable adults in this state, including:
(A) possible legislation; and
(B) other state policies or responses.
(f) A state agency shall cooperate with and assist the task
force in carrying out the duties of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2025, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the speaker of the house of representatives a
written report that summarizes the task force's findings under this
section and recommends solutions for improving the well-being of
vulnerable adults in this state.
(h) The task force is abolished and this Act expires June 1,
2025.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.