A recently leaked draft of OAC 5123-17-02 from DODD’s MUI workgroup reveals a concerning change in the way deaths of people with developmental disabilities can be categorized. Under the new rule, the term "suspicious death" is being replaced with "unanticipated death." This effectively removes the possibility of treating a disabled person's death as potentially suspicious, even in cases where there may be signs of neglect, abuse, or foul play.
This redefinition is not a trivial change in terminology; it has real consequences for the safety of disabled individuals in care settings. By downgrading the classification from "suspicious" to "unanticipated," these deaths may receive less rigorous investigations, making it easier for providers to evade accountability if they are responsible for harm or even intentional acts.
Individuals with developmental Disabilities are at an increased risk of abuse, neglect, and even homicide. We cannot afford to soften the language and reduce oversight in a system that is supposed to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens. Ohio families and advocates need to be aware of these proposed changes and speak out against them before they are finalized.
Please share this information and be sure to speak up during the rest of the rulemaking process.
Comments