Bill would direct aging agencies to train staff and undergo reviews

The Department of Aging and area agencies may not make agreements that limit certain oversight powers. The rule covers the Department of Aging and each area agency. The ban applies when an agreement limits oversight in furtherance of protecting older adults.

The Department of Aging must provide training for area agency employees, and area agencies must ensure employees complete it. The training covers area agency employees, including staff who handle protective-services cases, investigations, and intake. Training must fit each employee's job duties and cover applicable protective-services work, including casework, investigations, and intake. Remedial training must address topics where the area agency scored below 85% on its latest evaluation.

The Department of Aging must evaluate county agencies, score their work, and set audit and follow-up duties based on their results. Evaluations cover protective-services work and programs for older adults and caregivers. The department must also audit each area agency's finances. Agencies scoring at least 85% in every category are compliant; those scoring at least 75% in a category but not compliant are in remedial status; those scoring below 75% in any category are noncompliant. Follow-up includes audits of specified abuse cases and cases where an older adult died during an active investigation. Personal information about older adults need not be made public. The department must evaluate each county agency onsite at least once a year and complete a full financial audit of each area agency at least once a year.