SB 949 Summary

• Establishes the Office of Client Advocacy within the State Department of Health as the primary investigative authority for vulnerable adults receiving services from community services providers, Medicaid personal care providers, or residing in specified state facilities

• Authorizes the Office of Client Advocacy to inspect juvenile and child welfare records, adds the Office as an entity that can receive reports of vulnerable adult abuse/neglect/exploitation, and requires the Office to promptly report final investigative findings to the Department of Human Services for the community services worker registry

• Transfers duties related to investigating vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation from the Department of Human Services to the Office of Client Advocacy for specific categories of vulnerable adults, while the Department retains responsibility for other cases

• Permits authorized representatives of the State Department of Health, including the Office of Client Advocacy, to access confidential guardianship and conservatorship court records upon presentation of proper identification

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective immediately upon passage and approval