Servitude case legislation heads for governor's desk / LJWorld.com

Archive for Tuesday, May 9, 2006

By Carl Manning - Associated Press Writer

May 9, 2006

Topeka — Legislation providing better protections from abuse for disabled and mentally ill Kansans, prompted by the Kaufman group home scandal, was sent Monday night to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The House passed the compromise bill 122-0 a few hours after the Senate gave it a 37-0 stamp of approval.

"We now have a bill that will help us get as quick an investigation as possible," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls. "We're serious about getting quality care in Kansas."

The bill creates the Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Persons with Disabilities Unit within the attorney general's office. It would have access to reports of abuse or neglect received or generated by the departments of Aging; Social and Rehabilitation Services, and Health and Environment.

The agencies would have 10 days to inform the attorney general about confirmed reports of abuse or neglect, or cases where agencies were denied the opportunity or didn't have the ability to conduct a full investigation.

The unit will be funded by $350,000 included in a final budget bill awaiting legislative action. That includes $122,000 for the current budget year and $228,000 for the next spending year, starting July 1.

As passed by the Senate, the bill created a partnership between the attorney general's office and Disabilities Rights Center of Kansas. The bill going to the governor says the attorney general can contract with other agencies to assist the unit.

Atty. Gen. Phill Kline has been working with DRC, but Michael Donnelly, its director of policy and outreach, said that could change with another attorney general.

What prompted the legislation was the case involving a Newton group home.

Last year, Arlan Kaufman was found guilty of 31 charges and his wife, Linda, of 30 charges, including health care fraud, Medicare fraud, forced labor and holding clients in involuntary servitude.

Arlan Kaufman was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and his wife was sentenced to seven years.

The Kaufmans incorporated an unlicensed treatment center in 1980 and ran it until they were arrested in October 2004.

Federal prosecutors said the group home had nude therapy sessions and forced residents to have oral sex and to perform other sex acts with each other while being videotaped.