I will soon introduce legislation to strengthen protections for care-dependent individuals by increasing penalties for neglect of a care-dependent person, abuse of a care-dependent person, and institutional sexual assault committed by caretakers.

Care-dependent individuals, regardless of age, deserve meaningful protection under Pennsylvania law. Families should not have to fear that serious misconduct towards their vulnerable loved ones will be met with minimal or inadequate consequences.

Under current law, cases of neglect that result in bodily injury, such as intentionally, knowingly or recklessly failing to provide treatment, care, goods or services; improperly using physical restraint or chemical restraint or medication; unlawfully isolating a care-dependent person, are only charged as misdemeanors. My legislation would elevate this offense to a felony of the third degree.

Similarly, abuse of a care-dependent person, defined as actions taken with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm, including physical contact or attempted contact; repeated conduct serving no legitimate purpose; or repeated communication at extremely inconvenient hours, also carries only a misdemeanor penalty. This bill would increase that offense to a felony of the third degree.

Finally, this legislation would strengthen penalties for institutional sexual assault by caretakers who engage in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a care-dependent person who receives care, services or treatment in or from a facility. This crime would be raised from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony.

Strengthening these penalties sends a clear message of intolerance towards the mistreatment of care-dependent individuals. These increased penalties help ensure better accountability, reinforced standards, and protection for individuals who often cannot advocate for themselves.

Please join me in sponsoring this important legislation.