The U.S. Senate has introduced a new bill to prevent people with criminal histories from working within long-term care settings by creating a comprehensive nationwide system of background checks.
Dubbed the “Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act,” the proposed legislation expands on a successful three-year pilot program authorized under the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act.
The pilot program prevented more than 7,000 applicants with a history of substantiated abuse or a violent criminal record from working in long-term care settings. It operated in Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Wisconsin.
The bill calls for states to establish coordinated systems that include checks against abuse and neglect registries and a state police background check. It also adds a federal component to the background check process by screening applicants against the FBI’s national database of criminal history records.
The Senate legislation was introduced by Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Susan Collins.
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Predators Target of New Senior Protection Law
Dubbed the “Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act,” the proposed legislation expands on a successful three-year pilot program authorized under the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act.
The pilot program prevented more than 7,000 applicants with a history of substantiated abuse or a violent criminal record from working in long-term care settings. It operated in Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Wisconsin.
The bill calls for states to establish coordinated systems that include checks against abuse and neglect registries and a state police background check. It also adds a federal component to the background check process by screening applicants against the FBI’s national database of criminal history records.
The Senate legislation was introduced by Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Susan Collins.
Full Article and Source:
Predators Target of New Senior Protection Law
Good! This is a positive move. Lots more needs to be done, but this is a good beginning!
ReplyDeleteA good beginning.
ReplyDeleteI suggest yearly follow-up criminal checks to be certain there are no surprises.
Thank you, Senator Herb Kohl.
This is a very good move and I hope it gets through!
ReplyDeleteGood going, Senator Kohl!
Yes, this is great and I appreciate Senator Kohl introducing this important bill.
ReplyDeleteThe Senate legislation was introduced by Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Susan Collins.
ReplyDeleteThank you Senators Herb Kohl and Susan Collings for introducing this bill.
Seniors are far too vulnerable to exploitation from 'professionals' and others. This exploitation seems to have become a national epidemic, perhaps as a direct result of these dire economic times. Legislative Law changes have only made it 'easier' for the unscrupulous and those financially desperate to 'prey' on those who cannot protect themselves without strong
protections of Laws and Advocates that are stringently monitored with checks and balances to close these loopholes.
If the pilot program prevented more than 7,000 potential predetors from being employed in nursing homes, then there's a program that we need.
ReplyDeleteThanks Senators!