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Carteret, N.J. --- Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), along with other local elected officials and community activists, held a press conference today to call for Congressional passage of his federal version of New Jersey’s “Danielle’s Law,” which is designed to protect people with developmental disabilities in life threatening situations.
“A measure of our society’s worth and compassion is how we treat our most vulnerable citizens,” said Holt. “If we fail to do all we can to protect those who cannot speak for themselves, we cannot call ours a civilized society. My hope is that out of the tragedy that befell Danielle Gruskowski will come a renewed commitment to social responsibility, to caring for those who are most in need. That’s what this bill is all about – reaffirming our promise to care for those who are most at-risk.”
Danielle Gruskowski, a 32 year-old woman who suffered from Rett Syndrome-a neurological disorder that affects motor movements and the ability to communicate-required 24-hour care because of her condition. On the evening of November 4, 2002, she experienced multiple symptoms that indicated the need for emergency attention, yet the caretakers at her Edison, New Jersey group home failed to identify the symptoms as life-threatening and did not call 911. Danielle died the next day.
Due to the tireless efforts of Danielle’s family and The Family Alliance to Stop Abuse and Neglect, Gov. James McGreevey signed into law legislation, known as Danielle’s Law, on October 26, 2003. The law, written by State Senators Joe Vitale (D-19) and Tom Kean (R-21) and Assemblymen Guy Greg (R-24) and Eric Munoz (R-21), requires that people who work directly with the developmentally disabled or people with traumatic brain injury to call 911 in the event of a life-threatening situation.
Holt’s proposed legislation would:
- Require direct care staff who are providing health-related services to persons with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury to call the 911 emergency telephone service for assistance anytime one of their patients experiences a life-threatening emergency and to report the call to the appropriate State agency or department.
- End Medicare funding to healthcare providers who fail to implement these regulations.
Joining Holt at the event were U.S. Rep. Robert Menendez (NJ-13), Mayor Daniel Reiman of Carteret (D-NJ), Mayor Francis Womack of North Brunswick (D-NJ), Diane Gruskowski (mother of Danielle Gruskowski), Robin Turner (aunt of Danielle Gruskowski), Victoria Horrocks of The Family Alliance To Stop Abuse and Neglect, Steve Medlin of the International Rett Syndrome Association, as well as representatives of the Knights of Columbus of Carteret, the VFW of Carteret, the First Aid Squad of Carteret, the Carteret Office of the Disabled, and the Carteret Specials (a disabled children’s organization), among others.
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