REFERENCE TITLE: vulnerable adult system; study committee

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

SB 1508

Introduced by

Senators Shamp: Bolick, Carroll, Gowan, Shope

An Act

establishing the vulnerable adult system study committee.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Vulnerable adult system study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A. The vulnerable adult system study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1. Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who are members of different political parties.  The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

2. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who are members of different political parties. The president of the senate shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

3. The director of the department of health services or the director's designee.

4. The director of the department of economic security or the director's designee.

5. The director of the Arizona health care cost containment system or the director's designee.

6. One member from the governor's office who is appointed by the governor.

7. One member from the attorney general's office who is appointed by the attorney general.

8. One member who currently serves as the department of economic security's long-term care ombudsman or the ombudsman's designee.

9. One member who currently serves as a public fiduciary and who is appointed by the governor.

10. Two members who are employed by a local law enforcement agency or who are employed by a statewide organization that represents law enforcement and who are appointed by the governor.

11. The executive director of the Navajo area agency on aging or the executive director's designee.

12. The executive director of the intertribal council of Arizona or the executive director's designee.

13. One member who is currently employed at a licensed assisted living facility and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

14. One member who is currently employed at a licensed nursing care institution and who is appointed by the governor.

15. Two members who represent different statewide organizations that advocate for elderly vulnerable adults and who are appointed by the president of the senate.

16. One health care professional who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who both:

(a) Is licensed pursuant to title 32, Arizona Revised Statutes.

(b) Provides health care services to elderly vulnerable adults.

B. The vulnerable adult system study committee shall:

1. Develop and implement a coordinated vulnerable adults delivery system that ensures the health and safety of vulnerable adults.

2. Recommend best practices relating to responding and investigating complaints.

3. Research best practices related to adult protective services at the state, municipality and community levels.

4. Research and make recommendations on how the vulnerable adult system can ensure that vulnerable adults receive services they require after the vulnerable adult system completes its investigatory duties, including assigning a specific agency the responsibility to provide or coordinate case management.

5. Research and identify common, statewide outcomes.

6. Identify best practices for data collection and data sharing by various entities involved in providing vulnerable adult services.

7. Review and recommend changes to the statutes and rules that govern vulnerable adult services.

8. Once a strategic direction is established, the department of economic security, in conjunction with the work groups, shall develop an action plan for implementation.

C. The cochairpersons may designate work groups to research, study and make recommendations to the study committee.

D. Public members are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

E. On or before October 1, 2025, the study committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

F. This section is repealed from and after December 31, 2025.