The Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act

The Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act (S. 1577), passed by a unanimous senate vote last month, creates a comprehensive, nationwide system of background checks. The bill prevents those with criminal backgrounds from working with the sick and elderly in long-term care.

The bill was introduced by Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Pete Domenici (R-NM), "We are one step closer to passing a bill to give vulnerable seniors and their families the protection and peace of mind they deserve," said Kohl.

The bill describes a statewide coordinated system of abuse and neglect registries. It also requires that candidates undergo statewide criminal checks as well as FBI criminal records check.