State Sen. Greg Hecht's Elder Abuse Bill has passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislation makes battery or assault of an elder a high and aggravated misdemeanor, and gives law enforcement officials access to records to investigate such abuse.

Hecht, who represents parts of Fayette, Clayton and Douglas counties, is pushing a related bill that would allow adult protective workers to gain inspection warrants to check on elder abuse without waiting for a court order. Such orders can take five to ten days, Hecht said.

Hecht also cosponsored the Electronic Commerce Bill, which passed the Senate last week and is now in the House of Representatives. The bill provides for commercial entities and state agencies to transact business through electronic filings and electronic signatures.