| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to the Elder Victims Trust Fund; creating |
| 3 | s. 410.707, F.S.; creating the Elder Victims Trust Fund |
| 4 | within the Department of Elderly Affairs; providing for |
| 5 | sources of moneys and purposes; providing for annual |
| 6 | carryforward of unused funds; providing for future review |
| 7 | and termination or re-creation of the trust fund; |
| 8 | providing a contingent effective date. |
| 9 |
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| 10 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 11 |
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| 12 | Section 1. Section 410.707, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 13 | to read: |
| 14 | 410.707 Elder Victims Trust Fund.-- |
| 15 | (1) There is created the Elder Victims Trust Fund within |
| 16 | the Department of Elderly Affairs. Funds shall be credited to |
| 17 | the trust fund as provided by law to be used for the |
| 18 | investigation and prosecution of financial exploitation against |
| 19 | elderly persons and for educational initiatives directed toward |
| 20 | elderly persons, law enforcement officers, members of the |
| 21 | judicial system, social services professionals, and the general |
| 22 | public on financial exploitation of elderly persons. |
| 23 | (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and |
| 24 | pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end |
| 25 | of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund and shall be |
| 26 | available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund. |
| 27 | (3) Pursuant to the provisions of s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of |
| 28 | the State Constitution, the trust fund shall, unless terminated |
| 29 | sooner, be terminated on July 1, 2008. Prior to its scheduled |
| 30 | termination, the trust fund shall be reviewed as provided in s. |
| 31 | 215.3206(1) and (2). |
| 32 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004, if |
| 33 | House Bill 1287 or similar legislation is adopted in the same |
| 34 | legislative session or an extension thereof and becomes law. |