Please support HB191. With mental healthcare facilities understaffed, this is a step in the right direction to provide a direct line to the governor of effective changes that need to be made. Please support HB98. Obtaining guardianship is a difficult process. The more open and easier to navigate will help families in crisis.

Re: HB94 - Overall, AARP Virginia supports the creation of the Public Guardianship and Conservator Ombudsman Office, but we strongly encourage inclusion of monitoring and oversight of private, as well as public, guardians. Re: HB98 - Creation of an APS Central Registry complies with our policy of using multi-disciplinary team approaches to fight abuse by bad actors, and AARP has supported similar efforts in other states. We understand that other organizations may have concerns over the broad scope of this publicly-accessible registry and would like to more narrowly tailor it to ensure that only those intending to do harm are included. While AARP Virginia would not oppose the bill without those concerns being addressed, as the current language does include an appeals process, we would be supportive of that more narrow scope.

I am writing in support of HB 306 to be heard in committee tomorrow morning, which will allow a religious exemption to vaccines during an epidemic. Religious exemptions exist so that citizens can act freely in mind, body and spirit. Even in a time of an epidemic, citizens must have the opportunity to act on their conscience whatever that may be. The Nuremberg Code requires bodily autonomy and informed consent for any medical treatments to one’s body. Having religious exemption makes sure that remains the rule of law. As we’ve seen over the last two years, government has retained control over persons and their bodies in a way that would make Thomas Jefferson role over in his grave. Let Virginia continue to be religiously free, as the birthplace of religious freedom. Support HB 306.

I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story

Chairman and Member of the Committee, My name is Lilia Keys. I represent AARP . I'm sorry that I cannot address you in person but I'd like to declare that we strongly support House Hill 98. If you have any questions please notify our state Advocacy Director, Natalie Snider at AARP. Thank you very much.

Good Afternoon Mr. Chairman and committee members. My name is Yolanda Bell. I am a Veteran who comes from a family of veterans and first responders. I reside in Manassas and I am a constituent of Del Roem. I thank you for allowing me to speak today. I have come to testify in favor of guardianship reform for the last three years. A centralized APS registry is desperately needed. My sister Anastasia Adams lost her life in a hospital guardianship. Vulnerable individuals, especially those who are unable to speak for themselves, require frequent and regular visits. APS is meant to be that additional set of eyes to protect the vulnerable, the elderly and disabled. When my sister was taken and placed in a hospital guardianship I reported her numerous injuries to APS. Fairfax APS did absolutely nothing. When Anastasia was moved to Alexandria I was told by APS personnel that they knew her guardians well and worked with them frequently. Alexandria at least sent someone out to visit my sister. In response to the APS investigators questions regarding apparent injuries and visitation, the critical care nurse I hired to sit with my sister overheard nursing home administrators tell the investigator that they “had to do what the guardians told them to do.” There was no further inquiry into my sisters broken hip/femur or ankle that was never treated or fixed, the bruises, or other injuries; no follow up or plans put into place to protect her from further risk. My sister was 120+lbs when the guardians took her.  She weighed a mere 87lbs nine months later when they ended her life. She had no terminal illness. This is what happens when wards are allowed to be isolated from loving family and friends, when a guardian can just move a ward into another APS jurisdiction knowing there is no centralized data. It is what happens when reporting requirements and oversight of guardians and by guardians is lax and almost nonexistent vulnerable wards suffer, are abused, neglected, and die. Anastasia literally had 13 holes in her body and too many bruises to count. A centralized registry would have shown there had been previous complaints of injuries and safety concerns. It would have shown the police were called to investigate the injuries enabling the next APS office to prevent more abuse and neglect. And maybe helped to save my sisters life. What was done to my sister Anastasia will haunt me for the rest of my life. Please do not let this happen to anyone else. I implore you to unanimously pass HB98. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, Yolanda Bell Anastasia’s Voice

Please support HB191. With mental healthcare facilities understaffed, this is a step in the right direction to provide a direct line to the governor of effective changes that need to be made. Please support HB98. Obtaining guardianship is a difficult process. The more open and easier to navigate will help families in crisis.

Re: HB94 - Overall, AARP Virginia supports the creation of the Public Guardianship and Conservator Ombudsman Office, but we strongly encourage inclusion of monitoring and oversight of private, as well as public, guardians. Re: HB98 - Creation of an APS Central Registry complies with our policy of using multi-disciplinary team approaches to fight abuse by bad actors, and AARP has supported similar efforts in other states. We understand that other organizations may have concerns over the broad scope of this publicly-accessible registry and would like to more narrowly tailor it to ensure that only those intending to do harm are included. While AARP Virginia would not oppose the bill without those concerns being addressed, as the current language does include an appeals process, we would be supportive of that more narrow scope.

Please consider the protection of our seniors and pass this bill. Thank you.