Summary

The proposed amendments to the Criminal Code aim to hold owners and officers of long-term care facilities legally accountable for failing to provide necessary care to vulnerable adults. This includes establishing penalties for negligence, with a specific focus on protecting the elderly and disabled who require assistance.

What it means for you

• Residents and Families: Vulnerable adults in long-term care facilities may benefit from improved care standards and accountability from staff. Families may feel more secure knowing there are legal repercussions for negligence.
• Facility Owners and Managers: They could face criminal charges for operational failures, leading to anxiety about legal consequences and potential imprisonment.
• Staff Members: Workers may experience increased pressure as facilities adjust to meet new standards, possibly impacting workloads and work culture.

Expenses

• Facilities: To comply with the new standards, long-term care facilities might incur significant costs related to training, hiring more staff, improving infrastructure, and implementing new care protocols. This could be particularly taxing for facilities already facing budget constraints.
• Government: Increased oversight and regulation might lead to higher administrative expenses for the state as it implements these changes, factoring in the costs of monitoring compliance and potentially expanding resources for enforcement.

Proponents view

Supporters argue that these amendments are necessary to protect those who cannot advocate for themselves. They believe that establishing clear legal responsibilities for care will ensure better treatment for residents, leading to higher standards and accountability in long-term care settings. Proponents feel that the potential for criminal charges will deter negligence and promote a culture of care and responsibility.

Opponents view

Critics warn that creating criminal offenses for operational failures could backfire, as facilities may struggle to meet the new legal standards while facing existing financial pressures. They argue that severe penalties might scare operators into hiding mistakes, rather than encouraging transparency and improvement. Additionally, they caution that the focus on punitive measures could divert attention and resources away from addressing underlying issues like funding shortages and workforce training, ultimately harming the quality of care expected by residents.