DHS Letter (From FASDA)
DAVID Y. IGE F \ PANKAJ BHANOT '4 .. <”"¢.4,, GOVERNOR »*.\\\?F? IX’; DIRECTOR Z\ .|/1,‘/4: ‘I e -47- . iflflv ......._-K» -...-..-' ( H H’: .94‘ ‘Y BRIDGET HOLTHUS ;,§"~\ ‘ \r_QI'__ ‘ _.-if DEPUTY DIRECTOR $- _;,;:@‘-..'#4m t-J-21V". STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES P. O. Box 339 Honolulu, Hawaii 96809-0339 February 15, 2017 TO: The Honorable Representative Dee Morikawa, Chair House Committee on Human Services FROM: Pankaj Bhanot, Director SUBJECT: HB 199 – RELATING TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES Hearing: Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 9:00 a.m. Conference Room 329, State Capitol DEPARTMENT’S POSITION: Department of Human Services (DHS) appreciates the intent of this bill, and offers comments. PURPOSE: The purpose of the bill is to authorize Department of Human Services (DHS) to investigate allegations of the physical isolation of vulnerable adults and take corrective action including obtaining judicial relief. Creation of "physical isolation" as a new type of abuse, and inserting the definition of "physical isolation" within section 346-222, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), are not necessary for the following reasons. Adult Protective Services (APS) investigators assess whether physical isolation of the vulnerable adult by the alleged perpetrator is present in all types of abuse. Isolation may serve to conceal abuse or prevent access to the vulnerable adult's support system. APS policy and procedures address the forced isolation of vulnerable adults. Any finding of isolation may serve as evidence to support the allegation of abuse, regardless of the type of abuse. Current definitions of section 346-222, HRS, mandate APS to investigate the various types of abuse, which may involve physical isolation of the vulnerable adult.
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