LANSING — State Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) introduced a package of bills to expand Lisa’s Law in order to better protect Michigan’s in-home health care workers. Lisa’s Law was passed after Macomb County Child Protective Services Worker Lisa Putman was murdered in 1998 by members of a family to whom she was providing services.
“In-home health care workers are often placed in highly unpredictable and emotionally charged environments, leaving them vulnerable. They may be involved in cases where there are custody disputes or evidence of domestic assault. These bills would help protect these workers so they can effectively provide these essential services,” said Shannon. “Our bills would also ensure those who receive services are shielded from fraud, theft, neglect or abuse. One way we can do this is by expanding background checks to make certain that anyone providing services to a patient can be trusted to act in that patient’s best interest.”
The package of bills would expand protections to all in-home health care workers and increase penalties for threatening, assaulting, or seriously or mortally injuring an in-home health care worker. It would also enable in-home health care workers to carry a "self-defense spray device" without sanction by their employer provided they pass a safety training course as provided by or approved by DHHS. To protect those receiving services, employers would be required to conduct background checks on any employees before said employees provide any physical, mental or otherwise relatable services in the home of a recipient.
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