U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, recently introduced the Alternatives to Guardianship Education Act. The proposed legislation aims to safeguard older adults and individuals with disabilities by promoting awareness of alternatives to guardianship among educators, healthcare providers, court workers, and family members. Guardianships, which are established when a court determines a person is unable to make significant decisions independently, have sometimes led to the loss of autonomy and abuse. The bill emphasizes education on alternatives like supported decision-making and advance directives to potentially reduce abuse.
Senator Casey highlighted that while high-profile cases have increased visibility of the issues within guardianships, there is a significant need for public education on the alternatives that uphold civil rights and provide necessary support. The bill proposes a public education campaign to further these goals.
This initiative is part of Senator Casey’s broader efforts to address issues in guardianships. Previous actions include collaborating with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in July 2021 to inquire about guardianship data and promoting alternatives with the Health and Human Services Secretary. In October 2021, Casey introduced the Guardianship Accountability Act to enhance oversight and training to detect abuse in guardianships. He also raised public awareness through an Op-Ed discussing the implications of Britney Spears’ conservatorship case.
In 2023, Casey conducted a hearing titled “Guardianship and Alternatives: Protection and Empowerment,” where he introduced the Guardianship Bill of Rights Act, aiming to establish alternative arrangements and standards to protect the civil rights of those under guardianships.
Full Article & Source:
Senator Bob Casey Introduces Legislation to Educate on Alternatives to Guardianship
No comments:
Post a Comment