The House and Senate are moving toward reforming laws regarding abuse of the elderly at nursing homes. Lieutenant Governor Joe Maxwell, the state’s advocate for the elderly, says the legislation – already introduced in the Senate and soon to be introduced in the House – aims to stay away from nursing home operators doing the right thing and to crack down on those abusing the elderly. Among other things, the legislation would increase penalties and fines for violations, create an employee disqualification list for those who have knowingly neglected or abused any senior citizens in their care, and make it easier for the State Health Department to revoke a nursing home operator’s license if the person has ever been convicted of a felony relating to the management of a facility or who refuses to cooperate with inspectors.