February 26, 2019

Bolinsky, Law Enforcement Officer Support Strengthening Elderly Abuse Registry

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Photo: Officer Maryhelen McCarthy stands with State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky outside of the Aging Committee public hearing on legislation that will strengthen the state’s elderly abuse registry.

Hartford – The Aging Committee heard testimony in support of a new law that would strengthen the state’s current ability to create a registry identifying individuals responsible for the abuse of elderly persons. State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown), a member of the committee, co-authored the bill, along with State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford, Orange, West Haven, Woodbridge) and strongly supported Newtown Police Officer Maryhelen McCarthy’s comments in favor of S.B. 828, An Act Redefining Exploitation of Elderly Persons.

Officer McCarthy serves as Newtown’s Community Crisis Intervention, Senior Advocate and is a veteran Patrol Officer.

Newtown Police Officer Maryhelen McCarthy testifies before the Aging Committee at the Legislative Office Building.

Officer McCarthy testified, “Elderly folks can’t always speak for themselves, especially in an abusive situation where they are depending on a caregiver, so it falls on members of the community to step-up and take care of them. Statistically, seniors are 300% more likely to die prematurely if they have been subjected to an abusive situation.”

According to Officer McCarthy, the state of Tennessee established its form of an elderly abuse registry back in 1987. Since its creation, the registry has been used to screen job seekers that want to work with the elderly and has protected this vulnerable population from individuals with documented abuse.

Rep. Mitch Bolinsky said, “There have been cases in Newtown and across the State of Connecticut, of physical, medical, emotional and social abuse or neglect that can be prevented. It’s up to us to do what the U.S. Congress could not do in 2017, create a mechanism to protect our elderly family members. This registry will give families and employers an important new resource to use when screening potential caregivers to, hopefully, bring to light and disqualify previously hidden convictions of those with a history of abuse and neglect.”

There are many resources that can be locally accessed that support the senior community in Newtown. Here is a short list of phone numbers and facilities that can be contacted:

Senior Center: 203-270-4310
Social Services: 203-270-4330
Center for Support & Wellness: 203-270-4612
Western CT Mental Health: 203-733-8940

The bill has bipartisan support, as it has been raised a Committee Bill based from Rep. Bolinsky’s and Sen. Maroney’s original concepts, previously submitted in January. Yesterday, the committee voted favorably to refer S.B. 832, which should move it first to the Senate Floor then, hopefully, to the House, and finally to Governor Lamont’s desk.

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