HI HR89

Request the Department of Human Services to conduct a study on the expanded adult protective services law enacted in 2008 (Act 154) that broadened protections for vulnerable adults.

Investigate the significant disparity between reported cases and confirmed cases of abuse: fiscal year 2010 had 1,065 reports vs. 170 confirmed cases; fiscal year 2011 had 1,160 reports vs. 99 confirmed cases; fiscal year 2012 had 1,049 reports vs. 197 confirmed cases.

Require the study to examine possible causes for the disparity, including public understanding of the law, resource constraints within the Department, and other variables affecting case confirmation rates.

Identify service gaps by age bracket and recommend information system changes to better track case dispositions, referral statuses, and subsequent reports for cases initially deemed non-confirmed.

Direct the Department to submit preliminary and final reports to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2014 and 2015 regular sessions, respectively.