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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to senior justice assessment centers in certain counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 6, Human Resources Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 106 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 106. SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTERS |
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Sec. 106.001. ESTABLISHMENT OF SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT |
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CENTERS. A county with a population of one million or more shall |
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establish a senior justice assessment center. |
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Sec. 106.002. DUTIES. (a) A senior justice assessment |
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center shall provide services to seniors to ensure the dignity of |
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seniors through increased public awareness, educational outreach, |
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and promotion of justice regarding elder abuse. |
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(b) A senior justice assessment center shall: |
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(1) provide services to assist in the investigation of |
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elder abuse through a multidisciplinary team composed of |
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representatives of the following in the county: |
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(A) the sheriff and each municipal law |
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enforcement agency with jurisdiction to investigate elder abuse; |
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(B) the adult protective services agency; |
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(C) each attorney representing the state with |
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jurisdiction to prosecute elder abuse cases; |
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(D) the area agency on aging; and |
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(E) public health care institutions, including |
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postsecondary institutions providing health care services in the |
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area; and |
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(2) establish processes and procedures to: |
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(A) determine whether elder abuse has been |
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committed or whether other forms of neglect or exploitation of a |
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senior have occurred; |
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(B) evaluate the senior's mental capacity and |
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ensure the senior's physical safety; and |
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(C) make appropriate referrals to ensure the |
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provision of comprehensive care and the promotion of justice for |
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the senior based on the senior's individual needs. |
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(c) In providing services to seniors, a senior justice |
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assessment center shall collaborate with experts in: |
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(1) geriatric medicine; |
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(2) social services; |
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(3) protective services; |
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(4) law enforcement; |
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(5) civil enforcement; and |
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(6) criminal prosecution. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |