Senate Bill 13-111: Abuse of At-Risk Adults

• Establishes mandatory reporting requirement for specified professionals to report abuse or exploitation of at-risk elders (age 70+) to law enforcement within 24 hours, effective July 1, 2014; willful violation is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

• Defines 18 categories of mandatory reporters including physicians, nurses, social workers, clergy, law enforcement, financial institution personnel, and care facility staff; clergy members exempt for information obtained during privileged communications unless they learn of abuse through other sources.

• Creates new criminal offenses for crimes against at-risk elders including theft, caretaker neglect, and undue influence to exploit financial assets; establishes Class 5 and Class 3 felony penalties depending on circumstances.

• Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for good-faith reports of elder abuse or exploitation, except for the alleged perpetrator; false reports are Class 3 misdemeanors with liability for damages.

• Appropriates $3,171,208 and 1.0 FTE for fiscal year 2013-2014 for county caseload reduction, adult protective services, training, and quality assurance; requires implementation report by December 31, 2016.