Dismissal or denial of petitions to compel arbitration: appeals: Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act.

Existing law, the Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, establishes various procedures for the reporting, investigation, and prosecution of elder and dependent adult abuse, and it sets forth specific provisions governing civil actions arising from the abuse of elderly or dependent adults. Existing law permits a party to a civil action who is over 70 years of age to petition the court for preference under certain circumstances. Under existing law, an aggrieved party may appeal certain orders and judgments, including an order dismissing or denying a petition to compel arbitration. Existing law specifies the time in which specified actions must occur during an appeal. This bill would require the court of appeal, in an appeal of an order dismissing or denying a petition to compel arbitration involving a claim under the Elder and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act in which a party has been granted a court preference, to issue its decision no later than 100 days after the notice of appeal is filed, except as specified. This bill would require the Judicial Council, no later than July 1, 2017, to adopt rules implementing this provision and shortening the time within which a party may file a notice of appeal in these cases.