Florida ranks first in the nation for residents at least 65 years old, and the number of seniors continues to grow. Yet a state senator wants to close the lid on key reports involving residents of assisted living facilities who die or are seriously injured. There is no good reason to withhold this information, and the Legislature should stand firmly on the side of Florida’s seniors and their families.
When a resident in a Florida assisted living facility falls, dies or is seriously injured, that facility is required to inform the state within one business day. But as Elizabeth Koh and Jack Brook of the Times/Herald Tallahassee bureau reported this week, a bill by Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, would give operators weeks to report such incidents — potentially leaving residents in harm’s way.
Tampa Bay Times Op-Ed