SACRAMENTO, CA -- The following information was released by the California State Senate, Majority Caucus:
The State Assembly Committee on Aging and Long Term Care has voted 5 - 0 in support of Senate Bill 718, authored by State Senator Juan Vargas, which would authorize the County of San Diego and counties across the State of California to offer a confidential internet system for reporting instances of elder abuse. SB 718 is now headed to the Assembly Floor.
Currently, mandated reporters, such as licensed health practitioners, must report instances of abuse in a timely manner. Due to the high volume of callers and a recent decrease in personnel due to budget cuts, there can be a lengthy wait before a call is answered on the county's main elder abuse reporting phone line which handles calls from mandated reporters and the general public. In November 2010, it was determined that 27 percent of callers hung up rather than waiting on the line to report abuses, leaving seniors and dependent adults at further risk of abuse.
The secure internet system would require that mandated reporters provide the same information as required in writing or over the phone. This service would be made available at no additional cost to the State of California.
No comments:
Post a Comment