Minnesota lawmakers are expected to promote legislation that targets senior living abuses in the wake of negative newspaper reports.
Democratic Rep. Liz Olson, who will be the House majority whip when the legislature convenes in January, said she’s hopeful that a bipartisan compromise will be reached next year.
A 2017 report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune found relatively few reported allegations of elder abuse were being fully investigated. A consumer-led task force in January called for “far-reaching policy and agency practice changes to prevent and deter abuse.” Among their specific demands:
- Improving licensing regulation, enforcement, investigations and reporting
- Developing new licensure frameworks for assisted living and dementia care
- Enhancing criminal and civil enforcement
There appears to be a growing consensus among lawmakers that the first item will pass. The others face less certain prospects.
