235B.1 Dependent adult abuse services.

The department shall establish and operate a dependent adult abuse services program. The program shall emphasize the reporting and evaluation of cases of abuse of a dependent adult who is unable to protect the adult’s own interests or unable to perform activities necessary to meet essential human needs. The program shall include but is not limited to:

1. The establishment of local or regional multidisciplinary teams to assist in assessing the needs of, formulating and monitoring a treatment plan for, and coordinating services to victims of dependent adult abuse. The membership of a team shall include individuals who possess knowledge and skills related to the diagnosis, assessment, and disposition of dependent adult abuse cases and who are professionals practicing in the disciplines of medicine, public health, mental health, social work, law, law enforcement, or other disciplines relative to dependent adults. Members of a team shall include but are not limited to persons representing the area agencies on aging, county attorneys, health care providers, and other persons involved in advocating or providing services to dependent adults.

2. Provisions for information sharing and case consultation among service providers, care providers, and victims of dependent adult abuse.

3. Procedures for referral of cases among service providers, including the referral of victims of dependent adult abuse residing in licensed health care facilities.

4. a. The establishment of a dependent adult protective advisory council. The advisory council shall do all of the following:

(1) Advise the director of human services, the director of the department on aging, the director of inspections and appeals, the director of public health, the director of the department of corrections, and the director of human rights regarding dependent adult abuse.

(2) Evaluate state law and rules and make recommendations to the general assembly and to executive branch departments regarding laws and rules concerning dependent adults.

(3) Receive and review recommendations and complaints from the public, health care facilities, and health care programs concerning the dependent adult abuse services program.

b. (1) The advisory council shall consist of twelve members. Eight members shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. Four of the members appointed shall be appointed on the basis of knowledge and skill related to expertise in the area of dependent adult abuse including professionals practicing in the disciplines of medicine, public health, mental health, long-term care, social work, law, and law enforcement. Two of the members appointed shall be members of the general public with an interest in the area of dependent adult abuse and two of the members appointed shall be members of the Iowa caregivers association. In addition, the membership of the council shall include the director or the director’s designee of the department of human services, the department on aging, the Iowa department of public health, and the department of inspections and appeals.

(2) The members of the advisory council shall be appointed to terms of four years beginning May 1. Appointments shall comply with sections 69.16 and 69.16A. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(3) Members shall receive actual expenses incurred while serving in their official capacity.

(4) The advisory council shall select a chairperson, annually, from its membership.

83 Acts, ch 96, §159, 160; 83 Acts, ch 153, §4; 84 Acts, ch 1178, §3; 85 Acts, ch 180, §1; 87 Acts, ch 182, §2 – 8; 88 Acts, ch 1238, §2; 89 Acts, ch 24, §2, 3; 90 Acts, ch 1204, §52; 90 Acts, ch 1271, §1509; 91 Acts, ch 231, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1130, §1; 2004 Acts, ch 1116, §16; 2008 Acts, ch 1093, §1, 2; 2009 Acts, ch 23, §50; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §28; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §62; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §46

Referred to in §235A.13, 235B.16A, 235E.5