SPRINGFIELD – Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is working to close a critical gap in law by extending mandatory abuse and neglect reporting requirements to cover all senior residential settings.

“Every older adult in Illinois deserves to live with dignity, safety and respect, regardless of where they call home,” said Lightford (D-Maywood). “This legislation ensures that seniors in assisted living facilities and group homes receive the same protections as those in traditional long-term care facilities. By closing this gap in our reporting requirements, we're taking an important step to prevent elder abuse and hold facilities accountable.”

Under current law, if staff of a long-term care facility believes an older adult is being subjected to abuse or neglect, they must report such abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health. However, long-term care facilities do not include assisted living facilities or group homes.

Senate Bill 3179 would expand the requirement to such areas, ensuring older adults receive proper care and aren’t abused – regardless of their living situation.

The legislation comes at a critical time as Illinois' senior population continues to grow, with more older adults choosing assisted living facilities and group homes as alternatives to traditional nursing homes.

“No senior should suffer in silence," said Lightford. “This bill empowers staff to speak up when they witness abuse or neglect and ensures that appropriate authorities can investigate and intervene to protect our most vulnerable residents.”

Senate Bill 3179 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.