1. (1) The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall create an Elder Abuse Committee to develop a model protocol on elder abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth, that shall be comprised of various agency representatives that include but are not limited to:

   1. (a) The Department for Community Based Services;
   2. (b) The Department for Public Health;
   3. (c) The Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities;
   4. (d) The Department for Aging and Independent Living;
   5. (e) The Office of Inspector General's Division of Health Care;
   6. (f) The Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman;
   7. (g) Area Agencies on Aging;
   8. (h) Local and state law enforcement official; and
   9. (i) Prosecutors.

2. (2) The committee shall address issues of prevention, intervention, investigation, and agency coordination of services on a state and local level through interaction with local groups or entities that either directly or indirectly provide services to the elder population, including but not limited to:

   1. (a) Senior citizen centers;
   2. (b) Local governmental human service groups;
   3. (c) The Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky;
   4. (d) Long-Term Care Ombudsmen; and
   5. (e) Other organizations or associations dedicated to serving elder citizens and their families in the Commonwealth.

3. (3) The committee shall:

   1. (a) Recommend a model protocol for the joint multidisciplinary investigation of reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elderly;
   2. (b) Recommend practices to assure timely reporting of referrals of abuse, neglect, or exploitation required under KRS 209.030(12);
   3. (c) Explore the need for a comprehensive statewide resource directory of services for the elderly;
   4. (d) Enhance existing public awareness campaigns for elder abuse and neglect; and
   5. (e) Provide forums for the exchange of information to educate the elder population and their families on the rights of elders.
4. (4) The committee shall produce an annual report of their activities, products, and recommendations for public policy to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission.

Effective: July 1, 2024

History: Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 124, sec. 87, effective July 1, 2024. -- Amended 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 146, sec. 66, effective July 12, 2012; and ch. 158, sec. 34, effective July 12, 2012. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 16, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 99, sec. 293, effective June 20, 2005; and ch. 132, sec. 29, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 81, sec. 3, effective June 21, 2001. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 40, effective July 14, 2000. -- Created 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 370, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1998.