HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
113 |
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO COLLECT DATA AND REPORT STATISTICS RELATED TO CASES OF ABUSE OF VULNERABLE ADULTS.
WHEREAS, Hawaii's disabled and elderly adults are some of the most vulnerable individuals in the state; and
WHEREAS, this population is highly susceptible to physical abuse and financial and economic exploitation, recently demonstrated in Hawaii, as cases of fraud and abuse have escalated; and
WHEREAS, while all of Hawaii's people are prone to physical abuse and financial exploitation, the disabled and elderly are often less able to protect themselves, requiring assistance from others; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services (DHS), Adult Protective Services (APS), is responsible for receiving and investigating reports of abuse on adults who are dependent on another person, organization, or facility because of mental or physical impairment; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature has considered proposals to expand the scope of APS to include all vulnerable adults, including the elderly; and
WHEREAS, APS should also be expanded to include investigations of financial and economic exploitation, a growing concern in society today; and
WHEREAS, regardless of whether legislation is passed during the Regular Session of 2007, DHS should consider ways that APS can be improved; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that DHS is requested to collect data and report statistics related to cases of abuse of vulnerable adults; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DHS is requested to collect data to determine who is being served, who is being turned away, and the reasons why they are being turned away; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the community agencies and mandated reporters are encouraged to report all incidents of abuse of vulnerable adults; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DHS is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services.
Vulnerable Adults; DHS Reporting of Statistics