BILIRAKIS, SOTO, CRIST, AND DINGELL FILE BILL TO BETTER PROTECT SENIORS & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Statement

Today, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Charlie Crist (FL-13), and Debbie Dingell (MI-12) introduced legislation to enhance protections for the 1.3 million adults who are currently under the care of guardians. Most of these Americans are seniors and people with disabilities. The Guardianship Accountability Act provides additional measures to prevent fraud and abuse. Specifically, the bill improves data collection and increases oversight of guardians, making it easier to hold bad actors accountable for fraud or financial exploitation. Following a year-long investigation, the Senate Aging Committee released a report with recommendations of how to better protect this vulnerable population. The Guardianship Accountability Act implements many of the report's recommendations, including the creation of a national resource center, promotion of less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, facilitation of background checks, and sharing of information among local, state, and federal organizations.

"It is said that the strength of a society can be judged based upon how it treats its most vulnerable populations. We've seen from recent examples in the news, and alarming rates of elder abuse throughout Pasco and Pinellas counties, that guardianship is an area where we can and must do better to protect seniors," said Congressman Bilirakis. "Our bill will provide additional resources, strengthen protections, and improve intergovernmental coordination to achieve this paramount objective," he added.

"It is our duty in Congress to speak up and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities," said Congressman Darren Soto. "In Orlando, we saw firsthand the abuse of a former guardian which led to a preventable death. We owe it to our seniors and to those living with disabilities to provide protections from ill-intended bad actors who abuse the system designed to provide a better quality of life. Guardianship is a critical resource that gives Americans support when they need it most. This bipartisan legislation will empower the good guardians and allow them to continue serving those in need, while combatting against fraud and abuse."

"Guardianship abuses are resulting in seniors literally being held against their will, isolated from family members and friends, their assets liquidated and drained by unscrupulous people gaming a broken system," said Congressman Crist. "This legal form of kidnapping is happening in communities across the country, in many cases with little or no recourse available, and recently in Florida directly resulting in a death. This legislation brings federal resources to bear, providing the missing transparency needed to understand where problems exist with a better ability for stakeholders to track outcomes across disparate state court systems nationwide."

"Safeguarding our nation's seniors from abuse and exploitation must be a priority, and too often our current guardianship system fails to protect older Americans," said Congresswoman Dingell. "The Guardianship Accountability Act will put in place commonsense protections address these deficiencies, and I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation."