SB 12-078 Summary

• Adds "exploitation" as a defined harm category alongside mistreatment and self-neglect, with specific provisions addressing deception, harassment, coercion, and misuse of property that affects the at-risk adult's access to health care or ability to pay basic needs.

• Expands mandatory reporters to include podiatrists, occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, and employees of home health providers; requires immediate oral reports within 24 hours followed by written reports within 48 hours.

• Permits county departments investigating exploitation to inspect all financial records of at-risk adults with prior written consent, notwithstanding other state laws protecting financial record confidentiality.

• Clarifies that refusal of medical treatment, artificial nutrition/hydration, resuscitation, and other end-of-life care in accordance with valid medical directives or palliative care plans shall not constitute caretaker neglect or self-neglect.

• Creates an Elder Abuse Task Force to study mistreatment and exploitation of elderly at-risk adults and submit recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2012, including cost estimates and sustainable funding sources; the task force is repealed effective November 2, 2013.