News on the Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act

On July 12, 2012, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act. If Congress were to enact the bill into the law, it would help the states provide the better oversight over guardianships and conservatorships of vulnerable and elderly adults. The new law would not provide additional funding to the states, but the bill would allow the states to re-allocate funds from existing programs to fund the protections granted through this bill. The new bill authorizes an electronic filing system and other protections that would increase the states ability to monitor guardianships. 

The goal of this legislation is to reduce the prevalence of elder abuse in our country. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, stated: 

“I know every state has incidences of people getting ripped off millions of dollars when their loved one is supposed to be under the care of a guardian,” she said. “Most guardians do amazing work, good work, but again you have a situation where you have a very few that are causing a lot of harm.”

See Linda Vanderwerf, Klouchar Bill That Protects Seniors Passes Key Test, West Central Tribute, July 14, 2012.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.