The Secure Seniors Protection Act.

Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes the California Department of Aging in the California Health and Human Services Agency and sets forth its mission to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. Existing law establishes the State Department of Social Services in the California Health and Human Services Agency. Existing law designates the department as the single state agency with full power to supervise every phase of the administration of public social services, except health care services and medical assistance, as specified. This bill, the Secure Seniors Protection Act, would require the State Department of Social Services to, subject to an appropriation, on or before January 1, 2026, establish and administer a toll-free hotline to assist all Californians in dealing with scams, as provided. The bill would require the State Department of Social Services to ensure that the program and its staff are equipped to meet the needs of individuals who are 60 years of age and older. The bill would require, on or before January 31, 2027, and annually thereafter, the State Department of Social Services to submit a report to the Legislature and the relevant policy committees containing, among other things, the number of seniors served, the types of problems the program assisted seniors with, and recommendations for improving the program.