EKB News

KENTUCKY....
Under legislation state Representative Tom Burch, D-Louisville, says he will introduce, nursing homes would be required to notify coroners of every resident's death in an effort to identify more abuse and neglect. State law does not specifically require nursing homes to report deaths to coroners, who are rarely called even when abuse or neglect is suspected. According to prosecutors polled as part of Governor Steve Beshear's recent review of how allegations of nursing home abuse and neglect are investigated, autopsies often aren't performed, and evidence isn't gathered. Attorney General Jack Conway proposed the change to state law to require nursing home officials to report to the coroner all deaths occurring in long-term care facilities or deaths occurring shortly after a resident leaves a facility. Conway recommended a proposal to increase penalties for caregivers convicted of not reporting abuse.