1. Assembly Bill No. 250–Committee on Health and Human Services

CHAPTER........

AN ACT relating to elderly persons; revising the provisions governing the duties of the

specialist for the rights of elderly persons within the aging services division of the

department of human resources; and providing other matters properly relating

thereto.

 

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter 427A of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

a new section to read as follows:

As used in NRS 427A.123 to 427A.1236, inclusive, unless the context

otherwise requires, "elderly person" means a person who is 60 years of

age or older.

Sec. 2. NRS 427A.1234 is hereby amended to read as follows:

  1. 427A.1234 1. The specialist for the rights of elderly persons shall:

(a) Provide advocacy and education relating to the legal rights of

elderly persons and shall facilitate the development of legal services to

assist elderly persons in securing and maintaining their legal rights.

(b) Provide, upon request, technical assistance, training and other

support relating to the legal rights of elderly persons to:

(1) An attorney who is providing legal services for an elderly

person;

(2) An employee of a law enforcement agency;

(3) An advocate for residents of facilities for long-term care;

(4) An employee of an office for protective services of any county;

and

(5) An employee of the division.

(c) Review existing and proposed policies, legislation and regulations

that affect elderly persons, and make recommendations as appropriate to

the administrator.

(d) Review and analyze information relating to the nature and extent

of abuse, neglect, exploitation and isolation of elderly persons to identify

services that need to be provided, including, without limitation:

(1) Methods of intervening on behalf of an elderly person to protect

the elderly person from abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation; and

(2) Enforcing the laws of this state governing abuse, neglect,

exploitation and isolation of elderly persons.

2. The specialist for the rights of elderly persons may:

  1. [1.] (a) Have access to, inspect, copy and subpoena all records in the
  1. possession of any clerk of a court, law enforcement agency or public or
  1. private institution, wherever situated, that relate to the abuse, [exploitation
  1. or] , neglect , exploitation or isolation of an elderly person.
  2. [2.] (b) Have access to all written records in the possession of any
  1. person, government, governmental agency or political subdivision of a
  1. government that relate to the abuse , [or] neglect , exploitation or isolation
  1. of an elderly person.
  1. [3.] (c) Represent and assist any incompetent person until a guardian is
  1. appointed for that person.

[4.] (d) Use the information obtained pursuant to paragraphs (a) and

(b) to resolve complaints relating to the abuse, neglect, exploitation or

isolation of an elderly person.

(e) Develop services relating to financial management for an elderly

person who is at risk of having a guardian or conservator appointed by a

court to manage his property.

  1. (f) Appear as amicus curiae on behalf of elderly persons in any court
  1. in this state.
  1. (g) Perform such other functions as are necessary to carry out his duties
  1. and the functions of his office.

Sec. 3. This act becomes effective upon passage and approval.

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