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Abstract: 

This article is a first-person account by a member of the California Senior Legislature, who researches and writes legislative proposals concerning issues affecting the aging population. For example, a proposal in 2008 to require the local long-term care ombudsman or local law enforcement agency to report instances of alleged or suspected abuse of an elder or dependent adult residing in a long-term care facility to the local district attorney. She found a number of abuse reports that had been made but never investigated or prosecuted. The legislation, AB 2100, was sponsored by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk. Governor Schwarzenegger signed this into law on September 29, 2008, to be effective January 1, 2009. Just a few days before signing this into law, the Governor slashed the ombudsman budget in California, with devastating consequences.

Keywords: California AB 2100; Governor Schwarzenegger; should ombudsmen be mandated reporters

Affiliations:  1: California Senior Legislature.