Minnesota Legislature Asked to Review Elder Abuse Secrecy Law, Says Minnesota Governor

It’s one thing to protect whistleblowers, but preventing families from getting all of the details, if loved ones have been abused or neglected, just doesn’t sit right with governor.

A recent report from KARE 11 TV, “Governor wants review of elder abuse secrecy issue,” explains that the Governor of Minnesota has asked the state’s legislature to review a law that is being criticized by some as keeping families from learning the truth about instances of abuse and neglect in assisted care facilities. His request for a review of the law follows an investigation by the television news station into the secretive process used to investigate these kinds of complaints.

The case of Suzanne Edwards brings the issue into focus. The report highlights secretly recorded cell phone videos that appear to show two aides at an assisted living facility taunting and demeaning Suzanne. “Go to bed,” an aide screams at Suzanne in one video. In another video, both women taunt Suzanne, singing “I’m going to live longer than you,” and “I can wipe my own ass.” The two aides are heard laughing at Suzanne in an audio recording, because she’s not wearing underwear. They call it “disgusting,” and tell her she smells.

The two aides were criminally charged with Stalking and Criminal Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult, as a result of the incident. Both pleaded not guilty. The charges allege that the two also put a lighter flame near Suzanne’s face, made multiple threats against her and pulled her nightgown up exposing the 70-year-old patient’s nude body. However, Suzanne Edwards’ son Kent said he didn’t learn any of this for months. The assisted living facility notified police and state regulators, but Edwards—who’s his mother’s health agent—says he was blocked when he called the Department of Health trying to locate a copy of the report.

The state law is currently aimed at encouraging whistleblowers and protects the identities of people who report abuse. State officials also say they can’t even share details of the alleged abuse with victims or their families, until they conduct a full investigation. But the issue is that, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s own statistics, they only do full investigations in 1% of the cases reported by facilities.

The governor expressed his concern about balancing the needs of families and those who report abuse. He noted that “their need for information must be weighed carefully against protection for the people who report those incidents.” The Governor said he “will encourage the State Legislature to review this law in the next Legislative Session.”

The governor’s concern is shared by State Senator Karin Housley, (R-Stillwater). She told a reporter at the television station that the law needs to change because the system, as it currently stands, is not working.

Reference: KARE 11 TV (August 18, 2017) “Governor wants review of elder abuse secrecy issue.”