Isolation in Virginia

At the 50.34 minute mark of this video (click the link below), NASGA member Mike Jacobs stands before a crowd who has gathered to support candidate Delegate Mark Levine.

Mike hasn’t seen his love, Jane, for two long years – ever since she was placed in a guardianship. Jane’s guardian does not allow him to visit or communicate with her, even though it is clear Jane misses him and wants to see him. She has sneaked in phone calls to Mike when she can and begs him to come and see her.

Her health is fragile and Mike fears he’ll never see her again. His testimony is emotional and raw. THIS is the hurt, worry, and devastation people feel who have wrongfully been shut out of their loved one's life. As bad as Mike feels, we know Jane feels even worse because she doesn’t understand why Mike isn’t with her and comforting her now when she needs it most.

Wrongful isolation by court-appointed guardians is the number one complaint of our members and it’s why we work so hard to combat it.

Watch the video

Rhode Island News: Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo signs 183 bills, including legislation expanding access to contraceptive care

PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo this evening signed and vetoed 188 bills.  She vetoed three laws (five bills), including the so-called Peter Falk bill, a bill requiring sellers of real estate disclose to potential buyers if the premises were used for marijuana cultivation and a bill related to surplus line insurance.

In vetoing the Peter Falk bill (H 8352 as amended/S 2421 as amended), Governor Raimondo acknowledged the good intentions of the bill which aimed to reduce elder abuse, but noted concerns raised by senior advocates. Maureen Maigret, Chair of the Aging in the Community Subcommittee of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council; Meg Underwood, Rhode Island Senior Center Directors’ Association; Kathy McKeon, Catholic Social Services; and Kathy Heren, Rhode Island’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Elder advocates and advocates for Rhode Islanders with disabilities along with the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs and the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospital are concerned that there was not sufficient engagement in crafting this legislation and cite many potential unintended consequences for Rhode Island. Governor Raimondo is committed to working with advocates and legislators next year to pass a version of the bill that better protects Rhode Island’s most vulnerable seniors. Her veto message is available here.

A full list of bills transmitted today will be released by the Governor’s Office tomorrow.  There is no additional legislation awaiting Governor Raimondo’s action.

Full Article & Source:
Rhode Island News: Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo signs 183 bills, including legislation expanding access to contraceptive care

Senate passes Lombardi bill that criminalizes the forced isolation of an elder or dependent adult

Sen. Frank S. Lombardi

STATE HOUSE — The State Senate today passed legislation introduced by Sen. Frank S. Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) that would make it a crime to keep an elder or dependent adult in forced isolation.

The Peter Falk Criminal Isolation of Elders Act (2018-S 2421Aaa) would criminalize isolation of an elder or dependent adult and would provide that certain notification requirements be fulfilled on behalf of elder persons or dependent adults.

“It has become a common problem,” said Senator Lombardi. “Some adult guardians will isolate those they’re supposed to protect in order to retaliate against families who complain or for more nefarious reasons.  This legislation would protect adults who may be unable to express their preferences due to physical or mental condition. It effectively makes it a crime to keep elders in isolation.”

Catherine Falk

The act is named after the late Peter Falk, best known for portraying Lieutenant Columbo on television. His daughter, Catherine Falk, is a national activist for guardianship reform and elder abuse awareness.

Last year, she testified in favor of a law sponsored by Senator Lombardi and Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) that passed by the General Assembly that provides persons under limited guardianship, guardianship and conservatorship with rights designed to protect them from mental, physical and financial abuse by their guardians and conservators.

Falk, who created a national organization to work on the visitation rights for individuals (www.catherinefalkorganization.org), watched how her father brought his mother’s caretaker to justice in New York for financial exploitation when the caretaker was supposed to look after her grandmother but instead abused her emotionally and financially. Peter Falk worked with the District Attorney’s office to press criminal charges for elder abuse and financial exploitation, and made a public service announcement about elder abuse.

Under the provisions of the proposed legislation, any person convicted of abuse or isolation of an elder or dependent adult would be guilty of a felony and be imprisoned up to three years or fined up to $3,000 or both. The act also changes the definition of “elder” from anyone over the age of 65 to anyone over the age of 60.

The measure, which is cosponsored by Senators Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston), Stephen R. Archambault (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Johnston), Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R-Dist. 38, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) and Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence), now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.


For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922

Full Article & Source:
Senate passes Lombardi bill that criminalizes the forced isolation of an elder or dependent adult