House Passes Scherer Legislation Supporting Veterans

Springfield, Ill. – A bill backed by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D- Decatur, that will require the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide more information to legislators on situations involving state run Veterans homes, recently passed the house.

“This bill will help stop issues in our veterans’ homes before they happen,” Scherer said. “But if something should happen, we will be able to get timely updates on the situation to provide the best response.”

The Scherer-backed House Bill 5784, requires the Department to provide legislators with a quarterly update on the health and well-being of veterans in each of the four state-run veteran homes. The report must include the number of complaints made by residents, their families or their power of attorney. Additionally, the report will note any diseases reported at the facility, as well as the effort taken to prevent future cases.

Scherer’s House Bill 4310, which also recently passed the House, would require the Department of Veteran Affairs to notify residents of state run veterans’ homes and their families within 24 hours of a case of legionnaire’s disease being discovered and confirmed by lab results. The bill will also requires employees and contractors that work at the facility to be notified within 24 hours of a case being found.

“I have family members in skilled care facilities, and I certainly would want to know right away if they are at risk,” Scherer said. “This legislation will provide transparency and accountability that will help keep our veterans homes safe”

Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.