New Law Takes Aim at Elder Abuse

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A new law aims to protect older adults at risk of abuse and neglect by requiring assisted living facilities to be licensed starting in 2021.

Signed by Gov. Tim Walz (D) in May, the law will bring Minnesota in line with every other state in licensing assisted living facilities while providing protections in the interim.

The legislation, supported by AARP Minnesota, allows families to install cameras for monitoring in residents’ rooms; provides appeal rights and protections against retaliation and arbitrary discharges; and creates a Maltreatment Restitution Fund, to compensate those who have been harmed.

News stories have exposed reports of elder abuse in recent years, and the Minnesota Department of Health receives roughly 400 complaints of abuse and neglect every week.