Proposed legislation would prohibit nursing home employees from serving as patient guardians

The measure would prohibit nursing home employees from exploiting their closeness to patients for personal gain.

Written by Reading Eagle

Harrisburg, PA —

Who should handle the affairs of a vulnerable person?

Rep. Thomas Murt

In response to a case of possible financial exploitation of a constituent of his, state Rep. Thomas Murt, a Montgomery County Republican, wants to outlaw employees of long-term facilities from taking advantage of their closeness to those for whom they care.

Murt has reintroduced legislation that would prohibit an employee of a long-term care facility from serving, for any patient of their employer, as: a guardian, an agent under a power of attorney, a beneficiary of any insurance policy or annuity, or an executor of the customer's estate of a patient.

The proposal has 14 cosponsors and enjoys bipartisan support, including state Reps. Thomas R. Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat, and Mark M. Gillen, a Robeson Township Republican.

The measure was prompted by a constituent case which involved a gentleman's father who entered a retirement home and was convinced by an employee of the institution to become his good friend, Murt wrote in his sponsorship memo.

“Unfortunately, the friend became executor of his will and received a $100,000 fee from the arrangement,” Murt wrote. “Financial exploitation is the fastest growing type of elder abuse and as our frail elderly population continues to grow, it is essential that we address this issue and take the steps necessary to prevent such future exploitation.”

The bill was referred to the Committee on Aging and Older Adult Services on March 1.

Full Article & Source:
Proposed legislation would prohibit nursing home employees from serving as patient guardians