2019 -- H 6224

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LC002795

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF ELDERS--

ABUSE AND ISOLATION OF ELDERS OR DEPENDENT ADULTS -- THE PETER FALK

CRIMINAL ISOLATION OF ELDERS ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Canario, Shekarchi, Jacquard, and Lima

     Date Introduced: June 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-68-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-68 entitled

"Exploitation of Elders" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-68-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Business relationship" means a relationship between two (2) or more individuals or

entities where there exists an oral or written contract or agreement for goods or services.

     (2) "Caregiver" means a person who has been entrusted with or has assumed

responsibility for the care or the property of an elder person. Caregiver includes, but is not limited

to, relatives, court-appointed or voluntary guardians, adult household members, neighbors, health

care providers, and employees and volunteers of elder care facilities.

     (3) "Deception" means misrepresenting or concealing a material fact relating to:

     (i) Services rendered, disposition of property, or use of property, when such services or

property are intended to benefit an elder person; or

     (ii) Terms of a contract or agreement entered into with an elder person; or

     (iii) An existing or preexisting condition of any property involved in a contract or

agreement entered into with an elder person; or

     (iv) Using any misrepresentation, false pretense, or false promise in order to induce,

encourage or solicit an elder person to enter into a contract or agreement.

     (4) "Elder person" means a person sixty-five (65) sixty (60) years of age or older.

     (5) "Intimidation" means the communication by word or act to an elder person that the

elder person will be deprived of food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision, medicine, medical

services, money, or financial support or will suffer physical violence.

     (6) "Lacks capacity to consent" means an impairment by reason of mental illness,

developmental disability, organic brain disorder, physical illness or disability, short-term memory

loss, or other cause, that causes an elder person to lack sufficient understanding or capacity to

make or communicate reasonable decisions concerning the elder person's person or property.

     (7) "Position of trust and confidence" with respect to an elder person means the position

of a person who:

     (i) Is a spouse, adult child, or other relative by blood or marriage of the elder person;

     (ii) Is a joint tenant or tenant in common with the elder person;

     (iii) Has a legal or fiduciary relationship with the elder person including, but not limited

to, a court-appointed or voluntary guardian, trustee, attorney, or conservator;

     (iv) Is the caregiver of the elder person; or

     (v) Is any other person who has been entrusted with or has assumed responsibility for the

use or management of the elder person's funds, assets, or property.

     SECTION 2. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 68.1

ABUSE AND ISOLATION OF ELDERS OR DEPENDENT ADULTS – THE PETER FALK

CRIMINAL ISOLATION OF ELDERS ACT

     11-68.1-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Peter Falk Criminal Isolation of

Elders Act."

     11-68.1-2. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Abuse" means physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional abuse of an elder

person or dependent adult:

     (i) "Emotional abuse" means a pattern of willful infliction of mental or emotional harm

upon an elder or dependent adult by threat, intimidation, isolation or other abusive conduct.

     (ii) "Physical abuse" means the willful infliction of physical pain or injury including, but

not limited to, slapping, bruising or restraining upon an elder person or dependent adult.

     (iii) "Sexual abuse" means the infliction of non-consensual sexual contact of any kind

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upon an elder person. Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, rape, sexual

misuse, or exploitation of an elder person or dependent adult, as well as threats of sexual abuse

where the perpetrator has the intent and the capacity to carry out the threatened abuse.

      (2) "Caregiver" means a person who has been entrusted with or has assumed

responsibility for the care, custody, or control of, whether for pecuniary gain, by contract, or as a

result of the ties of friendship or who stands in a position of trust with, an elder person or

dependent adult. Caregiver includes, but is not limited to, caretakers, relatives, court-appointed

guardians, adult household members, conservators, attorney-in-fact, neighbors, health care

providers, and employees and volunteers of elder care facilities.

     (3) "Dependent adult" means any individual eighteen (18) years of age, who has a

physical or mental impairment that restricts their ability to carry out normal activities or to protect

their rights. The term includes, but is not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental

disabilities or whose physical or mental capacity have diminished because of age.

     (4) "Elder person" means a person sixty (60) years of age or older.

     (5) "Isolate" means the restriction of personal rights retained by the elder or dependent

adult, including, but not limited to, the right to receive visitors, telephone calls, and personal mail

unless the restriction of personal rights is authorized by court order.

     (6) "Neglect" means the willful failure by a caregiver or other person with a duty of care

to provide goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental harm, or mental illness to

an elder person, including, but not limited to, "abandonment" (withdrawal of necessary

assistance) and denial of food or health related services.

     (7) "Position of trust" means a person who:

     (i) Is a spouse, adult child, or other relative by blood or marriage of the elder person or

dependent adult;

     (ii) Has a legal or fiduciary relationship with the elder person including, but not limited

to, a court-appointed or voluntary guardian, trustee, attorney, or conservator;

     (iii) Is the caregiver of the elder person; or

     (iv) Is any other person who has been entrusted with or has assumed responsibility for the

care, custody, or control of the elder person or dependent adult.

     (8) "Willful" means intentional, conscious and directed toward achieving a purpose.

     11-68.1-3. Abuse or isolation of an elder person or dependent adult prohibited.

     Any person, including any caretaker defined in this chapter, is guilty of isolation of an

elder person or dependent adult if the person willfully isolates an elder person or dependent adult.

     11-68.1-4. Penalties for violations.

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     (a) Any person convicted of abuse or isolation of an elder or dependent adult shall be

guilty of a felony and be imprisoned not exceeding three (3) years or subject to a fine of three

thousand dollars ($3,000) or both.

     (b) In addition to any sentence imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section any

person convicted of violating this section may be required to undergo appropriate counseling as a

condition of any sentence imposed and provided, further, that the costs of the counseling so

imposed shall be paid by the defendant when possible.

     SECTION 3. Section 33-15-18.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 33-15 entitled "Limited

Guardianship and Guardianship of Adults" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     33-15-18.1. Rights of persons subject to limited guardianship, guardianship and

conservatorship.

     (a) Unless specifically authorized by court order, a limited guardian, guardian, or

conservator shall not restrict a ward's right of communication, visitation, or interaction with other

persons, including the right to receive visitors, telephone calls, or personal mail. If a ward is

unable to express consent to communication, visitation, or interaction with a person due to a

physical or mental condition, then consent of the ward may be presumed based on the ward's

prior relationship history with the person.

     (b) A limited guardian, guardian, or conservator may, for good cause shown, move the

court to have restrictions placed on a person's ability to communicate, visit, or interact with a

ward in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. Good cause means and includes:

     (1) Whether any protective orders have been issued to protect the ward from the person

seeking access to the ward;

     (2) Whether abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of the ward by the person seeking

access to the ward has occurred or is likely to occur;

     (3) Documented wishes of the ward to reject communication, visitation, or interaction

with specific persons; or

     (4) Any other factors deemed relevant by the court.

     (c)(1) A court may order restrictions placed on the communications, visitations, or

interactions a person may have with a ward upon a showing of good cause by the limited

guardian, guardian, or conservator.

     (2) In determining whether to issue an order in accordance with subsection (c)(1) of this

section, the following factors shall be considered by the court:

     (i) Whether any protective orders have been issued to protect the ward from the person

seeking access to the ward;

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     (ii) Whether the person has been charged with abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of

the ward;

     (iii) Whether the ward expresses a desire to communicate, visit, or interact with the

person;

     (iv) If the ward is unable to communicate, whether a properly executed living will,

durable power of attorney, or advance directive contains a preference by the ward with regard to

the person's communication, visitation, or interaction with the ward; and

     (v) Any other factors deemed relevant by the court.

     (3) Prior to issuing an order pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the court shall

consider the following restrictions in the order listed:

     (i) Placing reasonable time, manner, or place restrictions on communication, visitation, or

interaction between the ward and another person based on the history between the ward and the

person or the ward's wishes, or both;

     (ii) Requiring that communication, visitation, or interaction between the ward and

another person be supervised; or

     (iii) Denying communication, visitation, or interaction between the ward and another

person, provided, that, unless the court finds that the person poses a threat to the ward, supervised

communication, visitation, or interaction under subsection (c)(3)(ii) of this section shall be

ordered prior to the denial of any communication, visitation, or interaction.

     (d)(1) If any interested person, including the ward, reasonably believes that subsection (a)

of this section or an order issued pursuant to subsection (c)(1) of this section has been violated,

then such person may move the court to:

     (i) Require the limited guardian, guardian, or conservator to grant a person access to the

ward;

     (ii) Restrict, or further restrict, a person's access to the ward;

     (iii) Modify the limited guardian, guardian, or conservator's duties; or

     (iv) Discharge and replace the limited guardian, guardian, or conservator pursuant to §

33-15-18.

     (2) Notwithstanding actions available to the court pursuant to subsection (d)(1) of this

section, a limited guardian, guardian, or conservator who is found to be knowingly isolating a

ward and who has violated subsection (a) of this section or an order issued pursuant to subsection

(c) of this section shall be subject to discharge and replacement pursuant to § 33-15-18.

     (e)(1) Except as provided in subsection (e)(2) of this section, the court shall schedule a

hearing on a motion filed pursuant to subsection (b) or (d) of this section no later than thirty (30)

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days after the date the motion is filed. The court may, in its discretion, order mediation to be

conducted between the parties and the ward prior to the hearing. If mediation results in agreement

of the parties and the ward with regard to communication, visitation, or interaction with the ward,

the agreement shall be approved and memorialized in an order by the court.

     (2)(i) If the motion states that the ward's health is in significant decline or that the ward's

death may be imminent, the court shall conduct an emergency hearing as soon as practicable, but

no later than ten (10) days after the motion is filed.

     (ii) When a scheduling order is issued for a motion filed pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(i)

of this section, the court shall also order that supervised communication, visitation, or interaction

with the ward be granted during the period prior to the hearing.

     (3) Notice of the hearing, a copy of the motion, and a copy of any order issued pursuant

to subsection (e)(2)(ii) of this section, if applicable, shall be personally served upon the ward and

any person against whom the motion is filed, and nothing in this section shall affect the ward's

right to appear and be heard in the proceedings.

     (f)(1) The court may award the prevailing party in any action brought under this section

court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees; provided, however, that an award of court costs or

attorneys' fees shall not be paid out of the ward's estate.

     (2) The court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, shall impose upon a limited

guardian, guardian, or conservator who is found to be knowingly isolating a ward and who has

violated subsection (a) of this section or an order issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section

an appropriate sanction, including an order to pay court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees of the

other party or parties; provided, however, that no sanction shall be paid out of the ward's estate.

     (g) A limited guardian, guardian, or conservator shall promptly notify a ward's closest

relatives and any person designated by the ward to be notified, along with the appropriate contact

information and upon the limited guardian, guardian, or conservator's knowledge of such event

and information, in the event:

     (1) The ward's residence has changed;

     (2) The ward is staying at a location other than the ward's residence for more than seven

(7) consecutive days;

     (3) The ward is admitted to or discharged from a nursing home or assisted-care living

facility as defined in §§ 23-17-2 and 23-17.4-2;

     (4) The ward is admitted to a medical facility for:

     (i) Emergency care in response to a life-threatening injury or medical condition; or

     (ii) Acute care; or

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     (iii) The ward dies, provided, that notification of the ward's death shall be made in person

or by telephone.

     (h)(1) A limited guardian, guardian, or conservator is not required to provide notice in

accordance with subsection (g) of this section if:

     (i) A person who is entitled to notice under subsection (g) of this section informs the

limited guardian, guardian, or conservator, in writing, that the person does not wish to receive

such notice; or

     (ii) The ward or a court order has expressly prohibited the limited guardian, guardian, or

conservator from providing notice to the person.

     (2) A limited guardian, guardian, or conservator shall not provide contact information in

accordance with subsection (g) of this section if an order of protection or restraining order has

been issued against the person on behalf of the ward.

     (i)(1) As used in this section, the term, "close relative" means:

     (i) The protected person's spouse;

     (ii) An adult child of the protected person;

     (iii) A parent of the protected person; or

     (iv) An adult nearest in kinship to the protected person.

     (2) The closest relative shall not be the person who is a guardian of the protected person.

     (3) If two (2) persons qualify as the closest relative, the notice required pursuant to this

section shall be provided to both person. If more than two (2) persons qualify as the closest

relative, the notice shall be provided to the two (2) oldest persons from among those persons who

qualify.

     (j) A court may, prior to considering any action available pursuant to this section, require

the parties subject to the prospective court order to undergo a mediation process approval by the

court. Mediation recommended pursuant to this section shall be provided by the department of

elderly affairs and the department is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations

necessary to implement this section.

     SECTION 4. Section 42-66-4.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-66 entitled "Elderly

Affairs Department" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-66-4.1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Abuse" means physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional abuse of an elderly

person by a caregiver as defined in subsection (5).

     (a) "Physical abuse" means the willful infliction of physical pain or injury (e.g. slapping,

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bruising or restraining) upon an elderly person.

     (b) "Sexual abuse" means the infliction of non-consensual sexual contact of any kind

upon an elderly person. Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, rape, sexual

misuse or exploitation of an elder, as well as threats of sexual abuse where the perpetrator has the

intent and the capacity to carry out the threatened abuse.

     (c) "Emotional abuse" means a pattern of willful infliction of mental or emotional harm

upon an elder by threat, intimidation, isolation or other abusive conduct.

     (2) "Exploitation" means the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized or improper act

or process of an individual, including, but not limited to, a caregiver or fiduciary, that uses the

resources of an elder for monetary or personal benefit, profit, gain, or that results in depriving an

elder of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets by use of undue

influence, harassment, duress, deception, false representation or false pretenses.

     (3) "Neglect" means the willful failure by a caregiver or other person with a duty of care

to provide goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental harm or mental illness to

an elderly person, including, but not limited to, "abandonment" (withdrawal of necessary

assistance) and denial of food or health related services.

     (4) "Willful" means intentional, conscious and directed toward achieving a purpose.

     (5) "Caregiver" means a person who has assumed the responsibility for the care of the

elderly person voluntarily, by contract or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or who is

otherwise legally responsible for the care of the elderly person. Caregiver includes, but is not

limited to, caretakers, relatives, court-appointed guardians, adult household members, neighbors,

health care providers, and employees and volunteers of elder care facilities.

     (6) "Self-neglect" means a pattern of behavior in an elderly person that directly,

imminently and significantly threatens his/her own health and/or, safety. Self-neglect includes,

but is not limited to, an inability or an incapacity to provide self with food, water, shelter, or

safety to the point of establishing imminent risk of any of the harm(s) described in the

immediately preceding sentence.

     (7) "Protective services" means services and/or action intended to prevent and/or alleviate

the abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect of elderly persons. Protective services may include

supervision, counseling, and assistance in securing health and supportive services, safe living

accommodations and legal intervention.

     (8) "Elderly person" or "elder" means any person sixty (60) years of age or older.

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     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF ELDERS--

ABUSE AND ISOLATION OF ELDERS OR DEPENDENT ADULTS -- THE PETER FALK

CRIMINAL ISOLATION OF ELDERS ACT

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     This act would make it a felony to isolate an elder or dependent adult and would expand

the persons entitled to notice when a guardianship or conservatorship petition is filed in the

probate court for dependents or elderly adults.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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