EXECUTIVE ORDER 06-05

WHEREAS, for years, the State of Kansas has employed various approaches to address abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adult persons; and

WHEREAS, this increased planning, education, reporting, and funding have resulted in improved vigilance and success in identifying and eradicating abuse, neglect and exploitation; and

WHEREAS, as highlighted by the United States v. Kaufman case, a person's rights and safety are seriously compromised when a complaint has been reported but is not adequately or timely addressed; and

WHEREAS, our society continues to include individuals who engage in predatory behavior; and

WHEREAS, the State of Kansas must improve its efforts to deal with such predatory behavior and assist those in need of protection; and

WHEREAS, collaboration among law enforcement officials, state administrators, community advocates and the persons and families that rely on abuse, neglect and exploitation programs, is vital to the persons the State of Kansas seeks to protect.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Kansas, I hereby create the Kansas Interagency Council on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation ("Council") with the following purposes and charges:

1. The heads of the following state agencies and instrumentalities, or their designees shall participate on the Council to provide staffing and expertise: Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services; Kansas Department of Health and Environment; and Kansas Department on Aging.
2. The following individuals and organizations shall designate a representative on the Council: Attorney General of the State of Kansas; Kansas County and District Attorneys Association; and Association of Chiefs of Police.
3. The Governor shall appoint seven representatives, at least four of which represent the interests of persons with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, aging, and mental illness, and not less than three of which shall be persons who are members of the populations noted.
4. The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Council.
5. The Council shall evaluate current abuse, neglect and exploitation statutes, to consider benefits that may be derived from statutory policies and administrative approaches that are consistent and consolidated in the prevention, identification, investigation and enforcement of abuse, neglect and exploitation laws.
6. The Council shall review the methods by which the State of Kansas receives, screens and refers abuse, neglect and exploitation complaints, and consider the development of standardized protocols for such functions.
7. The Council shall evaluate policies relating to the custodial authority and uses of abuse, neglect and exploitation records and how such records can best be utilized in all remedial strategies, from prevention to criminal enforcement.
8. The Council shall develop strategies by which the Attorney General of the State of Kansas can receive and monitor all abuse, neglect and exploitation complaints that have been turned over to local law enforcement authorities to assure disposition and resolution of same is occurring.
9. The Council shall consider strategies to educate persons at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation, and develop recommendations to enhance the capacity of each person to avail themselves of protection, when needed, from perpetrators of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
10. The Council will meet as determined by the chair of the Council

This document shall be filed with the Secretary of State as Executive Order No. 06-05 and shall become effective immediately.