Pennsylvanians with disabilities await the governor's signature on anti-abuse law

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

People with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 59 would get the same protection from abuse as other residents under a bill awaiting the governor's signature.

"It's necessary because there have been cases and continue to be cases where people ages 18 to 59 have been neglected and abused, but there's no law in place to enable people to make a report or no law that authorizes officials to investigate and protect the person," said Stephen H. Suroviec, executive director of The Arc of Pennsylvania, a statewide group that advocates for people with disabilities.

Using data from other states, the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee estimated in 2003 that if such a law were adopted here, 4,000 people in that age bracket would report abuse. The study, the most recent available, projected that 30 percent of those cases would be substantiated.

"That was seven years ago," Suroviec said. "I have no reason to think the numbers would go down or up."

Many people with disabilities are abused by caregivers, he said. As a result, they might be reluctant to report the abuse to authorities.

If the legislation passed last week is signed into law, police would be authorized to come into the home and investigate.

Pennsylvania is one of five states without a system of adult protective services, supporters say.

Nancy Murray, president of the South Side-based Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, cited the case of a young woman in Allegheny County who had an intellectual disability.

"She would be left in the cold of winter without a coat, a hat, gloves or boots," Murray said. "She was asking people for food because she was hungry."

The proposed law would enable authorities to count and investigate such cases.

"There were many instances across the state of people with various types of disabilities being abused, abandoned, neglected and exploited," Murray said.

Another supporter of the proposal is Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, a 30-year-old nonprofit group based in Wilkinsburg. Another form of abuse that would be covered is limiting people's right to make decisions for themselves.

"We're all about empowering people to make decisions for themselves," said Rick McWilliams, an advocate for Three Rivers Center.

Gary Tuma, press secretary for Gov. Ed Rendell, said the governor's office will examine the bill before he decides whether to sign it.