Dear Colleagues,

This notice requires your immediate attention this morning (July 18, 2017).

If you reside in the the greater San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and operate a residential care facility, please ask your Senators Hertzberg (Van Nuys) and Stern (Agoura Hills) to say “No” to Assembly Bill (AB) 859.

This bill is being heard early this afternoon (1:30 PM), July 18, 2017.

AB 859 would take discretion away from judges and lower the long-standing standard of proof for obtaining enhanced remedies under California’s elder abuse law, under certain circumstances. This bill would add new incentives and tactics for attorneys to include claims of elder abuse in every complaint and pursue numerous spoliation motions in order to skirt the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), and secure attorney fees, costs and uncapped punitive damages.

In effect, AB 859 will lead to litigation that is not available today, and the cost of defending one lawsuit could put a small 6-bed facility out of business.

6Beds is part of a coalition of organizations (CALA, CAHF, Leading Age California, CAPG, The Doctors Company, and others (click to download letter to The Honorable Hannah-Beth Jackson)) that opposes AB 859.

However, we need your direct support to ask Senators Herzberg and Stern to say “NO” to AB 859.

Please call your respective senator this morning and let him know the following:

Sen. Hertzberg: (916) 651-4018
Sen. Stern: (916) 651-4027

I am a constituent of Senator [Hertzberg/Stern] and am calling to express my opposition to AB 859. This bill would take discretion away from judges and lower the long-standing standard of proof for obtaining enhanced remedies under California’s elder abuse law, under certain circumstances.

I urge Senator [Hertzberg/Stern] to vote “NO” on AB 859.

Thank you for your continued support to protect and advance our residential care communities.

Sincerely,

Gina Wasdyke
6Beds Founder and Director
RCFE & ARF Operator