PRINTER'S NO. 564
No. 501 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY LYNCH, GRUPPO, BELARDI, MAYERNIK, JAMES,
E. Z. TAYLOR, BELFANTI, PISTELLA, TRAVAGLIO, JOSEPHS,
HERSHEY, CURRY, TRELLO, STEELMAN, ALLEN, SEMMEL, BROWNE,
RAMOS, PETTIT, WILT, STURLA, BAKER, DeLUCA, FICHTER,
SCRIMENTI, CAWLEY, GEORGE, STEVENSON, MILLER, READSHAW,
GEIST, HENNESSEY, SCHRODER, RUBLEY, JADLOWIEC, HUTCHINSON,
SAINATO, ROSS, SEYFERT, MASLAND, ROBERTS AND FARGO,
FEBRUARY 12, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND YOUTH, FEBRUARY 12, 1997
AN ACT
1 Creating the Committee for the Coordination of Police Services
2 to Elderly Persons; and providing for powers and duties of
3 the committee.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Short title.
7 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Coordination
8 of Police Services to Elderly Persons Act.
9 Section 2. Definitions.
10 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
11 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12 context clearly indicates otherwise:
13 "Committee." The Committee for the Coordination of Police
14 Services to Elderly Persons established under section 3.
15 "Office." The Office of Attorney General of the
1 Commonwealth.
2 "Triad program." The triad cooperative model developed by
3 the American Association of Retired Persons, the National
4 Sheriffs' Association and the International Association of
5 Chiefs of Police which calls for the participation of the
6 sheriff, at least one police chief and a representative of at
7 least one senior citizens' organization within a county and may
8 include participation by general service coalitions of law
9 enforcement, victim service and senior citizen advocate
10 organizations. If there is not both a sheriff and a police chief
11 in a county or if the sheriff or a police chief does not
12 participate, a triad may include in the place of the sheriff or
13 police chief another key law enforcement official in the county
14 such as a district attorney.
15 Section 3. Establishment of committee.
16 There is hereby established within the Office of Attorney
17 General of the Commonwealth the Committee for the Coordination
18 of Police Services to Elderly Persons.
19 Section 4. Membership and operation of committee.
20 (a) Members.--The committee shall consist of ten members, as
21 follows:
22 (1) The Attorney General of the Commonwealth, who shall
23 serve as presiding officer of the committee.
24 (2) The Secretary of Aging.
25 (3) The Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.
26 (4) The presiding officer of the Crime Victim's
27 Compensation Board.
28 (5) Two county sheriffs, to be appointed by the
29 Governor.
30 (6) Two municipal police chiefs, to be appointed by the
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1 Governor.
2 (7) Two citizens at large both of whom shall be 65 years
3 of age or older, to be appointed by the Governor.
4 (b) Method of appointment.--Appointments by the Governor
5 shall be made from nominations submitted by relevant
6 organizations.
7 (c) Term.--Members of the committee appointed by the
8 Governor shall serve for a term of three years. A member may be
9 reappointed for additional terms.
10 (d) Cessation of participation.--A member of the committee
11 shall, immediately upon removal or retirement from the position
12 by virtue of which the member was eligible for appointment,
13 cease to be a member of the committee.
14 (e) Vacancies.--A member appointed to fill a vacancy created
15 other than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the
16 unexpired term of the member whom he is to succeed in the same
17 manner as the original appointment.
18 (f) Reimbursement.--Members of the committee shall serve
19 without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary and
20 actual expenses incurred in attending meetings of the committee
21 and in the performance of their duties under this act.
22 (g) Removal.--Members of the committee may be removed by the
23 Governor for cause after written notice from the Governor.
24 (h) Meetings.--The committee shall meet as often as its
25 members deem necessary, but not less than twice per year.
26 Section 5. Powers and duties of committee.
27 The committee shall advise the Office of Attorney General,
28 the Department of Aging, the Pennsylvania State Police, county
29 sheriffs and other local law enforcement agencies, senior
30 advocates and other relevant parties chosen in consultation with
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1 the office in the study and evaluation of triad programs as an
2 effective response to the problems of crime against elderly
3 persons. The committee may also consult with experts, service
4 providers and representative organizations engaged in the
5 protection of the elderly and may recommend the development of
6 triad programs in this Commonwealth to assist the elderly to
7 avoid criminal victimization through coordinated efforts of
8 State and local law enforcement agencies and organizations which
9 provide services for the elderly. The committee may also
10 recommend policies and programs to assist law enforcement
11 agencies in implementing triad programs, including training and
12 prevention standards and technical assistance. The powers and
13 duties of the committee shall include the following:
14 (1) Establishment of a Statewide and central
15 clearinghouse for information and education materials.
16 (2) Development of innovative community police programs
17 for the elderly.
18 (3) Providing assistance to the Municipal Police
19 Officers' Education and Training Commission in the
20 development and delivery of training to law enforcement
21 professionals involved in the triad programs, including, but
22 not limited to, the subjects of:
23 (i) crimes against the elderly and the protection of
24 elderly persons;
25 (ii) police sensitivity to the needs of elderly
26 persons as victims and witnesses; and
27 (iii) social and human services.
28 (4) Providing assistance to State and local law
29 enforcement officials and to not-for-profit corporations and
30 organizations with respect to effective policies for and
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1 responses to crimes against elderly persons.
2 (5) Promoting and facilitating cooperation among State
3 agencies and local units of government.
4 (6) Effective advocacy of services to protect elderly
5 persons and elderly victims of crime.
6 (7) Evaluating the relationship between crimes against
7 elderly persons and other problems confronting elderly
8 persons, and making recommendations for effective policy
9 response.
10 (8) Collection of statistical data and research.
11 (9) Promulgation of rules and regulations as may be
12 necessary to carry out the purposes of this act.
13 Section 6. Effective date.
14 This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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