Berman & Riedel, LLP provides an update on California legislature addressing abuse and neglect in nursing homes and residential care facilities.
SAN DIEGO, CA (PRWEB) July 12, 2013 -- As the largest segment of our population begins to reach their “Golden Years,” there is a greater need for home health care professionals, nursing homes and residential care facilities for the elderly to meet the need for additional care of elderly persons who are no longer able to live alone and care for themselves. Unfortunately, with the increase in the elderly receiving home health care and becoming patients in nursing homes there is also an increase in the potential for abuse and neglect.
There are several bills pending in the California legislature which would help protect our elders from experiencing any form of abuse while in a nursing home, residential care facility or in-home care service for families who choose to hire home health care professionals. Here are a few pieces of legislation which our State Assembly is considering:
AB 322 (Yamada): Home Care Services Act of 2013 This bill would enact the Home Care Services Act of 2013 and would provide for the licensure and regulation of home care organizations, as defined, by the State Department of Social Services.
AB 581 (Ammiano): Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly: Retaliation. This bill would prohibit an adult residential care facility licensee or a residential facility for the elderly licensee, or officer or employee of the licensee, from discriminating or retaliating in any manner, including eviction or threat of eviction, against any person receiving the services of the facility, or against any employee of the licensee’s facility, on the basis, or for the reason that, the person or employee or any other person has initiated or participated in the filing of a complaint, grievance, or a request for inspection with the department or the local or state ombudsman pursuant to prescribed provisions of law.
AB 974 (Hall): Patient Transfer: Nonmedical Reasons: Notice to Contact Person or Next of Kin. The bill will require hospitals to obtain, with the patient’s consent, an emergency or next of kin contact and notify that individual prior to the patient’s transfer. If the patient is not able to respond, the hospital will make a reasonable effort to identify an emergency contact or next of kin and alert them of the transfer.
These bills, which are currently pending in the California State Assembly, could have a tremendous impact in protecting the health and welfare of elders throughout the State of California. If you would like to show support for this legislation, contact your State Assembly Representative through their website at http://www.legislature.ca.gov.
The elder abuse attorneys at Berman & Riedel, LLP handle nursing home abuse and neglect cases throughout the State of California. Their team of attorneys, paralegals and professional staff represent victims of elder abuse and neglect involving residents/patients of skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the care rendered by a California nursing home or other type of care facility for the elderly, please call the law office of Berman & Riedel, LLP today at (858) 350-8855.
William Berman, Berman & Riedel, LLP, http://www.bermanlawyers.com, (858) 350-8855, [email protected]
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