02/23/1994 01:40 PM Senate JUD

 SENATOR TAYLOR introduced HB 4 (PROTECT ELDERLY AND DISABLED                  
 ADULTS) sponsored by REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MACKIE.  He noted the               
 addition of a committee substitute, and there was some discussion             
 as to whether it had been heard before.  SENATOR TAYLOR clarified             
 there was a companion bill, HB 3, dealing with those who care for             
 the elderly, whereas HB 4 relates to failure to report harm or                
 assaults on the elderly or disabled.                                          
                                                                               
 Number 350                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE reviewed his sponsor statement explaining               
 that HB 4 would provide a consistent penalty of a class B                     
 misdemeanor for conviction for failure to report the harm of an               
 elderly or disabled person under these statutes.  It would also               
 require the court to report convictions to the appropriate                    
 licensing/regulatory entity.  Conviction of a professionally                  
 licensed person for failure to report a crime against an elderly or           
 disabled person could lead to disciplinary actions or sanctions.              
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR opened the meeting for questions and SENATOR LITTLE            
 asked REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE to explain the changes in the committee           
 substitute.  He deferred to his aide, NANCY WELLER.                           
                                                                               
 MS. WELLER explained the original bill was more comprehensive and             
 carried aggravating factors for the protection of the elderly, but            
 the Department of Law felt those protection were already covered              
 under aggravating factors presently in place.                                 
                                                                               
 There being no further testimony, SENATOR TAYLOR asked for the                
 pleasure of the committee.                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR JACKO moved to pass CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 4(JUD)(PROTECT              
 ELDERLY AND DISABLED ADULTS) from committee with individual                   
 recommendations.  Without objections, so ordered.