The bill amends the Older Adults Protective Services Act to strengthen protections for older adults against abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment. It establishes a uniform statewide reporting and investigative system for suspected abuse, introduces new definitions related to abuse and financial exploitation, and emphasizes the roles of caregivers and agencies in providing protective services. The title of the act is updated to replace "the elderly" with "older adults," and references to neglect, exploitation, or abandonment are removed. Additionally, Chapter 1 of the act is repealed, and new provisions are added to clarify the responsibilities of financial institutions and health care providers in reporting suspected abuse.

The legislation also mandates the Department of Aging to conduct public education campaigns and training programs for area agency employees and mandatory reporters. It establishes rights for individuals involved in the reporting process, including protections against retaliation, and outlines civil liabilities for violations. The bill allows for emergency court orders for protective services when older adults are at imminent risk and establishes an older adult fatality review team to investigate deaths related to suspected abuse. Furthermore, it introduces mandatory reporting requirements for financial institutions regarding suspected financial exploitation and outlines penalties for non-compliance. Overall, the bill aims to create a comprehensive framework for protecting older adults while ensuring their rights and the integrity of the reporting process are upheld.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1925 (Jun 16, 2025): P.L.381, No.79, P.L.1090, No.218, P.L.177, No.175, P.L.484, No.70, P.L.233, No.64, P.L.6, No.3