Sen. Dodd’s Elder Protection Proposal Advances
SACRAMENTO – A bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would protect California’s elderly and adults with disabilities from abandonment by caretakers has cleared a key committee. Senate Bill 314, inspired by the abandonment of seniors at two Santa Rosa assisted living facilities in the 2017 wildfires, was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary committee Tuesday. It heads next to the Senate floor.
“We cannot allow seniors to be abandoned by those trusted to care for them, especially in times of disaster,” Sen. Dodd said. “By strongly penalizing abandonment, my bill creates a financial incentive for caregivers and facilities to meet their responsibilities.”
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, Sen. Dodd introduced SB 314, adding “abandonment” to the list of offenses eligible for enhanced civil remedies under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act.
It was one of two related bills from Sen. Dodd to clear committee this week. Senate Bill 167, which would help people on life support equipment receive support during electric power line de-energization, passed the Energy, Utilities and Communications committee.
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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.