HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1956
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to adult Abuse and Neglect.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the number of reports alleging adult abuse or neglect that were received by the adult protective and community services branch of the department of human services have ranged from four hundred fifty-three in fiscal year 1999 to nine hundred eighty in fiscal year 2015. Most recently, seven hundred nine reports were received in fiscal year 2017. The legislature also finds that the adult protective and community services branch, upon investigation, substantiated the occurrence of adult abuse or neglect in fewer than two hundred fifty of the reports it received each fiscal year since 1999.

The legislature recognizes that adult abuse and neglect present serious problems and that there is an urgent need to determine whether the adult protective and community services branch has the personnel and other resources necessary to effectively investigate allegations of adult abuse and neglect and otherwise perform its duties.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the auditor to conduct a performance and management audit of the adult protective and community services branch of the department of human services.

SECTION 2. The auditor shall conduct a performance and management audit of the adult protective and community services branch of the department of human services.

The audit, at a minimum, shall assess the branch's effectiveness and compliance with laws, policies, and procedures in:

(1) Investigating and substantiating reports of adult abuse and neglect;

(2) Providing services for substantiated cases of adult abuse or neglect, including risk assessment methods to assess whether an adult is vulnerable and in danger of harm from abuse or neglect;

(3) Establishing, maintaining, and enforcing policies that safeguard the rights and assets of vulnerable adults from exploitation by department of human services employees or other persons; and

(4) Providing effective oversight and supervision of all branch offices.

SECTION 3. The auditor shall submit findings, recommendations, and, if appropriate, proposed legislation to the legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the 2019 regular session.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DHS; Adult Protective and Community Services; Performance and Management Audit

Description:

Requires the Auditor to conduct a performance and management audit of the Department of Human Services Adult Protective and Community Services branch and to report its findings to the 2019 Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.