Parker Seeks Background Checks for Home Health Care Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2008

Contact: Al Ekblad, 799-2792

Parker and Augare Seek Background Checks for Home Health Care Workers

Attorney General candidate, John Parker, announced at the Flathead County Attorney General forum his promise to promote legislation in the 2009 Legislative session which would require all home health care workers to submit to background checks in order to work in the industry. Parker has asked Representative Shannon Augare, Vice Chairman of the Law and Justice Interim Committee, to introduce the bill in the 2009 legislative session. Augare has already requested a draft.

“Seniors work hard their entire lives. They deserve the right to live in their own homes as long as possible—without the risk of being ripped off by a home health care worker,” says Parker.

In his 8 ½ years as a Cascade county prosecutor, Parker has worked with numerous cases where criminal defendants identified themselves as home health care workers during their bail hearings. “It became clear to me that our system for protecting seniors from fraud and theft is insufficient and it leaves too many at risk.” Parker said.

“Growing up, I saw first hand how important it was for my grandparents to have well qualified assistance they could trust and my intention with this legislation will be no senior will have to worry that the caregiver they hire is a threat to their physical or financial security,” says Parker.

Augare also serves as Director of Public Policy and Community Relations at Rural Dynamics Incorporated in Great Falls. “A large part of my job both in the legislature and with Rural Dynamics is to achieve economic independence for all Montanans. It is vital for us to protect the assets of our parents and grandparents from dishonest people who have access to their homes,” says Augare.

“As Vice Chairman of the Law and Justice Interim Committee, I know that this bill will go a long way towards ensuring the safety and security of our seniors,” says Augare.

John Parker is a State Representative and a prosecuting attorney for Cascade County. He is currently the top-ranking Democrat in the Montana House and served as the Chairman of the Law and Justice Interim Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Montana Law School. John and his wife Carrie live in Great Falls.

Shannon Augare is a State Representative and Director of Public Policy and Community Relations at Rural Dynamics Incorporated in Great Falls. He is the Vice Chairman of the Law and Justice Interim Committee.