09 LC 36
1195
Senate
Resolution 57
By:
Senator Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study Commission; to provide for the membership,
duties, and operation of the commission; to provide for related matters; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia General Assembly has recognized that many citizens of this state,
because of their age or because of serious and persistent mental illness,
degenerative brain disorders, developmental or physical disabilities, or other
similar incapacities, are in need of emergency protective placement should they
become the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and
WHEREAS,
the lack of emergency protective placement for victims of abuse who are elderly
or adults with disabilities is a nation-wide issue and was identified as a
problem in Georgia as early as 1993 by a Senate study group, the Senate Elder
Abuse Task Force; and
WHEREAS,
the Senate Elder Abuse Task Force discovered that there is an intense need in
Georgia to establish a comprehensive emergency alternative placement network for
abused elderly citizens; and
WHEREAS,
the task force also found that in Georgia there are no specialized shelters that
provide services for victims of elderly or disabled adult abuse who need safe
shelter; and
WHEREAS,
the task force recommended that a resolution be introduced urging private
organizations, such as civic clubs, to provide funding for emergency
intervention and placement of the elderly; and
WHEREAS,
due to the growth of the population of those over the age of 65 and disabled
adults in the past several decades, the increased need for emergency placement
is reaching epic proportions; and
WHEREAS,
the absence of emergency placement for victims of elderly and disabled adult
abuse subjects victims to the ongoing risks associated with abuse, neglect, and
exploitation; and
WHEREAS,
it may be necessary to designate emergency beds in certain nursing facilities,
to provide certain funding, and to develop policies to streamline admission
procedures for temporary emergency placement of victims of elderly and disabled
adult abuse in long-term care facilities with available beds; and
WHEREAS,
there is a need to develop emergency protective placement that allows the
individual the same rights as other citizens and at the same time protect the
individual from financial exploitation, abuse, neglect, and self-neglect;
and
WHEREAS,
statistical data and information regarding the exact nature and extent of this
problem needs to be presented to the General Assembly and studied so that
policies, plans, and funding may be explored, developed, and
studied.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that there is
created the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study Commission to be composed of six
members, three members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and three members to be appointed by the President of the
Senate. The Speaker shall designate one of the House members of the committee
to be a co-chairperson, and the President shall designate one of the Senate
members of the committee to be a co-chairperson of the committee. The
co-chairpersons shall call all meetings of the committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall undertake a study of the issues
described above and recommend any actions or legislation which the commission
deems necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to suggesting
solutions for the creation and development of a plan for emergency placement for
victims of elderly or disabled adult abuse. The commission may conduct such
meetings and hearings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary
or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform
its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The
members of the commission shall receive the allowances provided for in Code
Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated but shall receive the
same for not more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The
funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from
the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives and Senate, as
appropriate. The commission shall make a report of its findings and
recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, on or before
December 31, 2009. The commission shall stand abolished on December 31,
2009.