Sen. Dodd Proposal Would Deter Elder Abandonment

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has introduced legislation that would protect California’s elderly and dependent adults by adding “abandonment” to the list of acts against them that could lead to increased civil penalties for caregivers.

“All too often we’ve seen our vulnerable seniors be left behind to fend for themselves, especially in disasters,” Sen. Dodd said. “I want to send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated and those who do it will be held accountable. My goal is to create a deterrent to prevent it from happening again.”

California was one of the first states to adopt civil protections for vulnerable elders with the passage more than 25 years ago of the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act. About 150,000 California elders live in assisted living facilities. Many are not able to protect themselves during emergencies due to dementia, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses and frail health. Their safety is entirely in the hands of facility owners, administrators and caregivers.

In 2018, the Department of Social Services placed two Santa Rosa assisted living facilities on probation after investigations found that they abandoned residents during the North Bay wildfires. At least 20 frail, elderly residents would have died had family members and emergency responders not arrived to rescue them before one of the facilities burned to the ground. 

In reaction to the incidents and others like it, Sen. Dodd on Friday introduced Senate Bill 314, which makes abandonment eligible for enhanced civil remedies under the state Elder Abuse Act.

“Assisted living facilities are responsible for the very lives of these people, and they better take that responsibility seriously,” said Richard Holober, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, who noted incidents at other Northern California assisted living centers. “Thank you to Sen. Dodd for this bill, which should provide a strong financial incentive for facilities to comply.”

“I am so glad to see that Sen. Dodd is taking steps to ensure this does not happen to anyone else ever again,” said Beth Eurotas-Steffy, whose 85-year-old mother, Alice, was among those left behind at Santa Rosa’s Villa Capri facility in the 2017 wildfires.  “She and about 20 other residents, all requiring walkers and wheelchairs, were abandoned when the staff left as the fire approached. They survived due to the bravery and sacrifice of family members who came to check on their parents.” 

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.