James Maroney

Bill to Create Elder and Disabled Adult
Abuse Offender Database Passes State Senate

HARTFORD, CT – Today, legislation to create and publicize a public database of offenders whom have abused the elderly or adults with disabilities passed the State Senate by a bipartisan, unanimous vote. State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), who co-chairs the Aging Committee, said this legislation will provide peace of mind to the elderly and their families.

“Connecticut is the sixth oldest state in the nation and as investigations of elder abuse have doubled in the past several years in our state, it is vital to our community to protect this populace and this bill is a step in the right direction,” said Sen. Maroney. “I look forward to continue working with all my colleagues to get this bill signed into law.”

Senate Bill 832, “An Act Concerning Registries of Persons Found Responsible For Assaults or Other Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation or Abandonment of Elderly Persons or Persons with Disabilities,” will create a public database combining existing registries of offenders who have been convicted of assault or any form of abuse. This database is an important step towards protecting elderly and disabled adults from anyone convicted of assault, neglect, exploitation, abandonment or any other form of abuse.

The Department of Energy and Public Protection will establish and maintain the database and the Department of Health will publish the database on its website. The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors will also provide a portal on its website which links to publicly available databases.

Twenty six states are using elderly abuse registries according to the National Adult Protective Services Association. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), despite some estimates ranging as high as five million elders being victims of abuse each year, only one in 14 cases are reported to the authorities. Elders who have been victims of abuse have a 300 percent higher risk of death compared to elders who have not been abused according to the NCOA

“Other states have taken this step in order to protect their elderly community and we must do the same,” said Sen. Maroney. “This legislation will ensure that everyone has the necessary information to keep their loved ones safe from abuse, neglect or exploitation. These heartbreaking cases of abuse are preventable and I am pleased we are moving in the right direction to ensure the elderly, adults with disabilities and their families no longer have to suffer.”

Before State Senate approval, SB 832 was successfully voted out of the Aging Committee by a unanimous vote. The bill now awaits action the State House of Representatives. If enacted, this legislation will go into effect on no later than January 1, 2020.