House panel OK’s bill aimed at caregivers who steal drugs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A bill aimed at cracking down on caregivers who steal painkillers from the homes where they’re working has been advanced by a Kentucky House committee.

The bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday would expand the ability of prosecutors to apply the state’s exploitation law.

The measure stems from a Hardin County case in which a caregiver was caught stealing painkillers prescribed to a man fighting cancer.

Rep. Jim DuPlessis says because the suspect was hired to care for the man’s wife, the exploitation law didn’t apply. As a result, he says the caregiver received a less severe punishment.

The bill seeks to remedy such situations by allowing the exploitation law to apply to other vulnerable people in the home.