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Sex Offenders in Nursing Homes

By Beth Janicek

In USA Today, there is an article discussing the movement to require nursing homes to notify residents if there is a sex offender living in the nursing home. This is legislation that Texas needs to pass requiring notification of sex offenders that are living in nursing homes. The US House is starting hearings this week about sex offenders in the nursing homes.

Federal law requires that sex offenders register with the state and then the state is to notify the public on the whereabouts as they deem necessary.

A U.S. Government Accountability Office report in 2006 found at least 700 registered sex offenders living in long-term care facilities, many of them far younger than most other residents.

Several states have passed legislation that the nursing homes be notified if a sex offender is a resident.

Wes Bledsoe, an advocate for better notification, says he documented more than 50 crimes allegedly committed by 44 sex offenders and other convicted criminals living in long-term care facilities from 2002 to 2006, including sexual assaults, rapes and four murders.

Certainly, the nursing homes need to be aware of the residents who are sexual offenders so they can provide protection and family members need to be aware so they can protect their vulnerable loved ones.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on July 28, 2008 (boomark / email).