(A) The purpose of the Vulnerable Adult Fatalities Review Committee is to decrease the incidence of preventable vulnerable adult deaths by:
(1) developing an understanding of the causes and incidences of vulnerable adult deaths;
(2) developing plans for and implementing changes within the agencies represented on the committee which will prevent vulnerable adult deaths; and
(3) advising the Governor and the General Assembly on statutory, policy, and practice changes that will prevent vulnerable adult deaths.
(B) To achieve its purpose, the committee shall:
(1) meet with the Vulnerable Adults Investigations Unit of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division no later than one month after the unit receives notification by the county coroner or medical examiner pursuant to Section 17-5-555 or Section 43-35-35 to review the investigation of the death;
(2) undertake annual statistical studies of the incidence and causes of vulnerable adult fatalities in this State. The studies shall include an analysis of community and public and private agency involvement with the decedents and their families before and subsequent to the deaths;
(3) consider training, including cross-agency training, consultation, technical assistance needs, and service gaps;
(4) educate the public regarding the incidences and causes of vulnerable adult deaths, the public role in preventing these deaths, and specific steps the public can undertake to prevent vulnerable adult deaths. The committee shall enlist the support of civic, philanthropic, and public service organizations in performing the committee's educational duties;
(5) develop and implement policies and procedures for its own governance and operation;
(6) submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual written report and any other reports prepared by the committee including, but not limited to, the committee's findings and recommendations for changes to any statute, regulation, policy, or procedure that the committee determines is needed to decrease the incidence of preventable vulnerable adult deaths. Annual reports must be made available to the public.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 301, Section 9, eff May 23, 2006.