Bill > H644

This bill aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable elders against abuse. It expands the definition of "abuse" to include financial exploitation and the failure to provide necessities. It also broadens the definition of "caretaker" to include any person or agency responsible for an elder's health or welfare, even in unlicensed facilities. The bill requires the Department of Elder Affairs to develop a coordinated system of protective services, with provisions for investigating allegations of abuse, especially for elders in the care of state agencies. The bill also mandates reporting and oversight requirements to improve transparency and accountability around elder abuse cases.