Relating to a study concerning a comprehensive approach to detecting, managing, and preventing elder abuse

This bill requires the department on aging to conduct an elder abuse study with representatives from the department on aging, the department of human services, the department of inspections and appeals, the department of public safety, the department of corrections, the division of insurance of the department of commerce, the department of justice, AARP Iowa, the older Iowans legislature, and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate by the department on aging to study issues and develop policy recommendations relating to the detection, management, and prevention of elder abuse. The study group shall examine issues relating to the protection of Iowans years of age and older against all of the recognized categories of abuse as outlined by the national center on elder abuse; the definition of mandatory reporters of elder abuse; civil and criminal penalties for perpetrators of elder abuse; the availability of legal and financial assistance for victims of elder abuse; educational and training requirements for medical staff, investigators, and others; the establishment of a central registry of persons who have committed elder abuse; access to information necessary to maximize assistance to elder abuse victims while protecting victim privacy; the use of multidisciplinary teams that aid in the detection, management, and prevention of elder abuse; the utilization of special elder abuse investigators; and existing laws regarding elder abuse. A report on the findings and recommendations of the study group shall be submitted to the general assembly by December 15, 2020.