SC house committee approves elder abuse investigations unit

A House subcommittee approved a measure Thursday that would create a special investigations unit focused on abuse at adult care facilities.The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division unit would look into reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults and vulnerable adult fatalities.The bill would also require notices concerning the duties of facility personnel to report abuse be placed in adult care facilities along with the special investigations unit’s phone number and e-mail address.SLED Chief Robert Stewart expects up to 800 allegations of abuse each year.Stewart says he worries SLED might be underfunded. The Senate approved funding for the unit, but took $1 million from other SLED programs.

Reported at WIS10 TV.com