Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 4:21AM |  11°
MENU
Advertisement

What's New in Aging: Expansion of AG's ability to go after nursing home abuse

What's New in Aging: Expansion of AG's ability to go after nursing home abuse

A new Pennsylvania law has expanded the authority of state prosecutors to handle cases of abuse in long-term care settings such as nursing homes, which Attorney General Josh Shapiro views as a plus.

In a statement Friday, he praised the change enabling his office to prosecute abuse, when previously it had been limited to handling neglect cases. Abuse cases were formerly only in the jurisdiction of local prosecutors. Another provision in the new law removes the need for prosecutors in neglect cases to prove that actual physical injury occurred.

Mr. Shapiro said the changes will enable his office to better protect vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and he credited the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jim Cox, R-Berks.

Advertisement

Explaining his motivation behind the measure, Mr. Cox said, “Those caregivers who kill a person by neglecting the individual will no longer be able to hide behind a legal loophole.”

The attorney general noted several recent cases in eastern Pennsylvania in which his office prosecuted neglect committed by nurses and aides against older adults or other care-dependent individuals.

Gary Rotstein: grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.

First Published: July 13, 2018, 10:20 p.m.

Advertisement
RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Traffic passes by U.S. Steel in Braddock on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. An activist investor has accused U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt of potential insider trading as the group pressures investors to support its own plan for the iconic Pittsburgh steelmaker, which includes a new board and abandoning a planned merger with Japan’s Nippon Steel.
1
business
Ancora launches ‘Make U.S. Steel Great Again’ campaign, accuses CEO of insider trading
President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)
2
news
McCormick on board with Trump, DOGE shakeup while Fetterman blasts 'chaos, confusion'
Pitt’s Jalend Lowe (15) shoots a 3-pointer against Syracuse at the NCAA men’s basketball game on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2025 at Petersen Event Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
3
sports
Instant analysis: Opportunistic Pitt defense flips another first half deficit into win over Syracuse
Head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith watch a receivers and defensive backs drill at Steelers Minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Thursday, June 13, 2024.
4
sports
Gerry Dulac: Next season’s major decisions loom this week for Mike Tomlin, Steelers staff
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.
5
sports
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 02.18.25
Advertisement
LATEST news
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story