Michigan: AG Nessel Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee on Elder Abuse Bill Package
Michimich.com/10125604

Contact: Lynsey Mukomel 15175992746Agency: Attorney General

June 22, 2021

LANSING - "This package of bills is not just a good idea, it is a moral imperative," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel told members of the House Judiciary Committee this morning as she testified on a bill package implementing fundamental reforms impacting guardians and conservators.

With bipartisan support, and if passed by the legislature, House Bills 4847, 4848, 4849, and 4850; and Senate Bills 503, 504, 505 and 506 will implement the remainder of the Elder Abuse Task Force's first initiatives.

More on Michimich.com

• Save 15 Percent Off Florida Keys Accommodations with KeysCaribbean's Advance Purchase Rate Discount
• Woodside Rehab & Nursing Enters a New Era of Clinical Excellence and Growth
• Thar Process Partners with French Leader ExtrateX to Bring Prep to Process-Scale SFC to Europe
• Port St. Lucie REALTOR® Irene Pernice Earns SFR® Certification
• AMR and UAS Take the Stage at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

After a 12-stop listening tour in 2019 and dozens of senior town halls, Nessel and members of the Task Force heard a number of similar and disturbing stories surrounding guardianships and conservatorships.

While court-appointed guardianships can be beneficial for some, when used inappropriately or without the critical safeguards the bill package provides, guardianship itself can result in the abuse of older adults and strip individuals of their most basic rights.

"The bills, and our continued work in this area, are fundamental to restoring basic human rights and dignity to people who have worked hard their entire lives. Now, they need us to make sure that our guardianship and conservatorship system is in place to fight for them, and that is what this bill package does," said Nessel.

As part of her testimony, Attorney General Nessel brought attention to problems that the Department of Attorney General and partner organizations in the Task Force repeatedly see. To combat those issues, the legislation will:

• Require a judge to justify on the record why a family member who is willing to serve as a guardian is not suitable. While the law already provides that family members have priority, the modification serves as an additional safeguard to ensure family members get due consideration;
• Eliminate a judge's ability to prevent a challenge to an appointed guardianship/conservatorship for up to six months;
• Require guardian and conservator certification and visitation frequency;  
• Establish a clear asset/income threshold for appointment of a conservator;
• Improve the basic standard for medical testimony; and more.  

Nessel was joined by subject matter experts Christopher Smith - State Bar Elder Law & Disability Rights Section, Salli Pung - State Long Term Care Ombudsman, Nathan Piwowarski - Lake County Public Administrator, and Alison Hirschel and Nicole Shannon - Michigan Elder Justice Initiative. The group offered testimony on key sections of the legislation.

Each bill is linked below:

House Bills 4847, 4848, 4849, and 4850.

More on Michimich.com

• Biophysical Therapeutics brings longevity science to skincare with its new IF1 brand
• JoCa's Echoes of Haworth Sells Out on Opening Night in Mexico City; Artist Heads to San Luis Potosí and Miami Art Week
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Lee's Summit, MO Opens to Guests
• Shanghai Chengwei Semiconductor Equipment Launches High Precision Laboratory Central Gas Supply System
• Your Local Pro Expands National Service Network to 273+ Locations Across Plumbing, Cleaning, Landscaping and Hydrovac

Senate Bills 503, 504, 505 and 506.

---

Show All News | Disclaimer | Report Violation