- Created: Monday, August 25, 2014 03:53 PM
- Published: Monday, August 25, 2014 03:53 PM
CHICAGO – State officials trying to protect disabled people from abuse now have added legal protection themselves thanks to a new law signed Monday by the governor.
The law – sponsored by State Senator Bill Haine (D-Alton) – protects the Illinois Department on Aging from being sued for enforcing the Adult Protective Services Act, which was approved last year.
“Last year we passed sweeping protections for this at-risk population. This is a continuing effort to fine tune a new program and ensure the best protections,” Haine said.
Last year’s legislation was triggered by a series of Belleville News Democrat stories reporting the failure of state agencies to protect against abuses of disabled adults.
One feature of the Adult Protective Services Act was an online registry of healthcare workers who have previously abused, neglected or financial exploited disabled adults under their care.
These workers are banned from being caregivers employed by the state or by organizations regulated by the state.
The new law shields the department and its employees from legal liability for posting healthcare workers information to the registry.
The legislation, House Bill 4327, takes effect immediately.