AL SB312

Creates the Alabama Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, known as the Elder Abuse Prevention Act, with the Department of Human Resources designated as the lead agency.

Council membership includes chief executive officers or designees from 26+ state agencies and organizations including the Attorney General, Department of Human Resources, Department of Senior Services, AARP Alabama, and Nursing Home Association, with representation reflecting racial, gender, geographic, and economic diversity.

Council must meet at least bi-monthly with open public meetings and shall develop a comprehensive long-range plan reviewed semi-annually that addresses barriers to reporting elder abuse, coordinated victim services, fiscal analysis, and annual implementation steps, reporting progress to the Governor and Legislature by the 10th legislative day of each regular session.

Defines elder abuse for persons age 60 and above to include emotional/psychological abuse, material exploitation, neglect, physical abuse, self-neglect, and sexual abuse.

Council is subject to Alabama Sunset Law with a termination date of October 1, 2015, and every four years thereafter unless continued; act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.