California AB251 amends elder abuse laws to allow lower evidence standards and award attorney's fees in certain cases.

California AB251 amends the Welfare and Institutions Code to allow courts to set a lower standard of evidence in elder abuse cases if spoliation of evidence occurs. It also allows for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs to plaintiffs in such cases. The bill applies to residential care facilities, adult community care facilities, and skilled nursing facilities, excluding those owned by acute care hospitals. The changes become inoperative if the state is required to reimburse facilities under Medi-Cal but lacks appropriated funds.

California AB251 amends elder abuse laws to allow lower evidence standards and award attorney's fees in certain cases.

California AB251 amends the Welfare and Institutions Code to allow courts to set a lower standard of evidence in elder abuse cases if spoliation of evidence occurs. It also allows for the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs to plaintiffs in such cases. The bill applies to residential care facilities, adult community care facilities, and skilled nursing facilities, excluding those owned by acute care hospitals. The changes become inoperative if the state is required to reimburse facilities under Medi-Cal but lacks appropriated funds.