The proposal will be introduced by Representative Tom Burch, chairman of the House Health and Welfare committee. It is also being backed by the Attorney General's Office.
Reporter: Sean Evans
Sep 22, 2010
"I think anything that's enacted to, that's gonna benefit our citizens, to protect our citizens, be it a child or one of our elder citizens. I think its gonna be a good thing," said Bill Bisceglia, President of the Kentucky Coroners Association.
Under current law, nursing home facilities are not required to report a death if it appears to be of natural causes.
"If a coroner is not called and an autopsy is not performed, the evidence is not protected," said Allison Martin, spokesperson for Attorney General Jack Conway.
The Attorney General's Office wants to be on top of every case that might involve neglect and abuse in nursing homes.
"Many times by the time our investigators get the information, we are several days, or perhaps several weeks out from when the death actually occurred," said Martin.
Coroners around the state will receive training to recognize signs of elder abuse.
"In the Department of Criminal Justice training is actually giving us training in elder death abuse cases, signs to look for, and that's part of our regular training now," said Bisceglia.
The Attorney General's Office is also calling for stricter punishments and the development of new teams of investigators.
SOURCE: WKYT
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