SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner led a measure through the Senate to stop insurance companies from soliciting nursing home residents.

“We can’t let seniors be the target of deceptive practices by insurance companies,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Protections need to be in place to stop the endless flood of spam trying to swindle our seniors for a service they already have.”

House Bill 1865 would make it illegal to solicit a resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, or someone over the age of 65 to purchase accident and health insurance unless the insurance company waits 48 hours before making any insurance-related changes and the individual is given the ability to opt out.

Turner’s measure would also make it illegal for a nursing home or long-term care facility to make substantive changes likely to be disruptive to a resident, or move a resident's place of living, without prior approval from a guardian if the resident suffers from dementia or a medical condition that reduces their capacity to make informed decisions.

“By putting guardrails in place, we are protecting our seniors,” said Turner.

House Bill 1865 passed the Senate on Wednesday.