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Bill To Form Task Force To Study Elder Abuse Passes Commitee

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A bill that would create a state task force dedicated to studying elder abuse has passed its first committee.

The proposal brought by Sen. David Novstrup would establish an interim committee to study the issue and prevalence of financial, emotional and abuse of elders in the state.

The bill was spurred by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court David Gilertson. Gilertson urged lawmakers to take up the study in his State of the Judiciary speech this year.

He says elder abuse is more common than most people think and that states nationwide are starting to take action on the issue.

The bill to create to the elder abuse task force passed out of the Senate Retirement Laws committee unanimously Wednesday. It now goes to the Senate floor.