HB257 Summary: Elder Abuse Prevention Act

• Creates the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to coordinate statewide efforts addressing physical, sexual, emotional/psychological abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of persons age 60 and above.

• Council membership includes chief executive officers from 26 state agencies and organizations (Alabama Department of Human Resources, Attorney General, Department of Senior Services, AARP Alabama, etc.) with meetings at least bi-monthly and open to the public.

• Chief Justice of Alabama Supreme Court appoints the council chair and designates a lead agency responsible for general administration and supervision of council activities.

• Council must develop a comprehensive, long-range statewide system of care plan reviewed semi-annually and report progress to the Chief Justice, Governor, and Legislature by the 10th legislative day of each regular session.

• Council terminates October 1, 2015, and every four years thereafter under Alabama Sunset Law unless continued; implementation subject to appropriations availability.