House Bill 0163

    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                 HB 163

        By Representative Peaden






  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Thirteenth Judicial

  3         Circuit; providing a definition; requiring the

  4         establishment of an elder justice center for

  5         certain purposes; providing requirements;

  6         providing an appropriation; providing an

  7         effective date.

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  9         WHEREAS, there is continuous rapid growth in this

10  state's elderly population, and

11         WHEREAS, there are many persons in this state who

12  suffer from the infirmities of aging, and

13         WHEREAS, infirmities of aging may be manifested by

14  physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction to the extent that

15  a person may be impaired in the ability to adequately provide

16  for or secure his or her own care, protection, rights, or

17  access to the courts, NOW, THEREFORE,

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19  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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21         Section 1.  (1)  For the purposes of this act, the term

22  "elder" means a person who is 60 years of age or older and who

23  suffers from infirmities of aging, as manifested by physical,

24  mental, or emotional dysfunction to the extent that the

25  ability of the person to adequately provide for or secure his

26  or her own care, protection, rights, or access to the courts

27  is impaired.

28         (2)  The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit shall establish an

29  elder justice center to assist elder persons in achieving full

30  access to the judicial system, process and handle cases in

31  which an elder is a party, and enhance judicial responsiveness

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                 HB 163

    557-143A-00






  1  to the needs of elder persons. All matters under the

  2  jurisdiction of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit which involve

  3  or relate to elder persons shall be administered by such

  4  center. The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit shall revise its

  5  procedures, staffing, support services, and other resources to

  6  implement this subsection; provide for the availability of

  7  alternative dispute resolution relating to matters involving

  8  elder persons; and provide for additional judicial and court

  9  personnel training for matters involving elder persons.

10         Section 2.  The sum of $350,000 is appropriated from

11  the State Courts System Grants and Donations Trust Fund to the

12  Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to implement the provisions of

13  this act.

14         Section 3.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

15  law.

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18                          HOUSE SUMMARY

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      Requires the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to establish an
20    elder justice center dedicated to managing cases relating
      to matters involving elder persons.
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