WILLMAR — Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s legislation to protect seniors from neglect or abuse by court-appointed guardians passed the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.The Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act would help states improve their oversight of guardians and conservators of seniors and vulnerable adults. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, cosponsored the bill with Klobuchar, a Democrat.
The legislation was approved with a 15-3 vote and will be referred to the full Senate for approval.
The goal is to protect people from being neglected or financially exploited by their guardians.
The issue will grow in importance as the population of seniors doubles in the coming decades, Klobuchar said during the committee hearing on Thursday.
“I know every state has incidences of people getting ripped off millions of dollars when their loved one is supposed to be under the care of a guardian,” she said. “Most guardians do amazing work, good work, but again you have a situation where you have a very few that are causing a lot of harm.”
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Klobuchar bill that protects seniors passes key test
4 comments:
I have interest in the 3 who voted against this bill and their reasoning why the voted NO.
Very good news: This is a positive step forward however I respectfully disagree with Sen Klobuchar's statement:
“Most guardians do amazing work, good work, but again you have a situation where you have A VERY FEW that are causing a lot of harm.”
VERY FEW? Excuse me the opportunities for dishonesty and theft are numerous. I have a question regarding the approximate number that reflects VERY FEW?
Senator Klobuchar there is a LARGE NUMBER of guardians and conservators guilty of intentionally 'over billing' in my opinion that is fraud while using the court for wrongful enrichment.
In Wisconsin, all files are sealed, closed enabling embezzlement and the embezzler.
SEE recent news article by Jim Collar: http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20120731/APC0101/307310329/More-charges-filed-against-ex-Appleton-guardian-Schend
"Outagamie County Dist. Atty. Carrie Schneider filed an amended criminal complaint Tuesday alleging 27 counts against Schend following an exhaustive investigation into his 2010 financial records. An investigation into his 2009 finances continues."
Schend's 'alleged' embezzlment is approximately $700,000.00 and climbing.
“I know every state has incidences of people getting ripped off millions of dollars when their loved one is supposed to be under the care of a guardian,” she said. “Most guardians do amazing work, good work, but again you have a situation where you have a very few that are causing a lot of harm.”
I think gettin out of committee is the easiest part!
13 oprimsisI don't know what, "'respectfully' disagree," means, in a context of court appointed thieves stealing entire life savings, so I will simply say I disagree with the unproven statement that "most guardians do amazing work." Where is the need for a disclaimer for guardians? Isn't it enough they get court ordered immunity? Where are the statistics that "most guardians" do "amazing good work"? Human Services will not take complaints on court ordered guardians, which are all guardians, since guardianship is always court appointed as the very definition of "guardian" is a court appointment. So no data on complaints on guardians is available. The Human Services just says, "It is in the courts." Who put it in the courts? Human Services puts senior citizens in the courts. The police say, "It is a civil matter." Why is guardian crime against senior citizens a civil matter? It is a "civil matter" because it is in the courts. Who controls criminals who are in jail or senior citizens who are in the courts? Are probate judges policemen? What can they do? They can say, "Most guardians are good people who do amazing work." So what have we learned students? We have learned legislators and judges agree, "Most guardians do amazing work." It is truly amazing that people can commit grand theft and be overlooked because "most guardians do amazing work." Most citizens do amazing good work, but some are seen as criminals and sent to prison, and we not reminded most citizens are good. But when a guardian commits crime we must be reminded most guardians do amazing work. And, when citizens commit crime data is accumulated showing what percentage are bad and what percentage are good. Not to worry, "It is in the courts."
Any bill aimed at court-appointed guardians and conservators is at least a beginning.
But if there were only very few bad guys, there'd be no NASGA!
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