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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 3, 2012 10:03 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator LeAnna M. Washington |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Relatives Liability Repeal (Filial Support Law) |
| In the near future I plan to introduce a bill that would repeal Pennsylvania’s “Relatives’ Liability” law. Historically, this law had been used to entice family members to actively participate in the long-term care of a loved one. However, over the past two decades the scope of the law has been so greatly expanded that it has become a common collection technique against families. In May 2011, the Pennsylvania Superior Court held a son liable for over $92,000 worth of medical expenses incurred by his mother. In this case, a mother was in a car accident that required her to undergo extensive rehabilitation at a skilled nursing facility. Due to a lack of medical coverage, the mother incurred a large debt and after nearly six (6) months of care. As a result, she withdrew from the facility and left the country. The facility was unable to collect against the mother, so they went after the son under the Relatives’ Liability law and obtained a judgment against him. In these trying economic times when many are living paycheck to paycheck, the additional financial burden could have dire consequences for families. I have seen firsthand the strain care of a loved one places on a family and I do not wish to leave in place additional burdens. Please join me in removing this Sword of Damocles from many unsuspecting families. To join me in co-sponsoring this legislation or for additional information, please contact Michael Deery or Kalonji Johnson at 7-1427 or mdeery@paseante.com, kjohnson@pasenate.com. |
Introduced as SB70
Memo Updated: December 3, 2012 10:04 AM