November 8, 2006 CONTACT: Susan Straub
'BONI BILL' PLANNED
FOR '07 SESSION
Social workers invited to Frankfort
to meet with legislators on needed safeguards
FRANKFORT - Dozens of state social workers from across Kentucky are expected to come to Frankfort on Friday, Nov. 10, to tell Senator Denise Harper Angel and a group of legislators what the General Assembly can do to make social work safer.
Harper Angel, D-Louisville, said
the meeting has sparked a wave of response from social workers, who have called
and e-mailed to express their support. Approximately 150 have
indicated that they plan to attend.
The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Room 154 of the Capitol
Annex.
"Our social workers are on the front lines in protecting our most vulnerable citizens ... our children, frail elderly citizens, adults with mental illnesses ... people who can't help themselves," Harper Angel said. "But far too often we send them into situations where their lives are threatened, and they go even though we don't give them adequate protection."
Legislators plan to explore possible legislation in the 2007 session. "We've asked them to come to Frankfort on Friday so we can find out what kinds of improvements would be effective," she said. In addition to Harper Angel, legislators planning to attend include Senator David Boswell, D-Owensboro, Senator Jerry Rhoads, D-Madisonville, Senator Ray Jones, D-Pikeville, Senator Joey Pendleton, D-Hopkinsville, Senator Johnny Ray Turner, D-Drift, and Senator Daniel Mongiardo, D-Hazard. Harper Angel said she is also working with several House members including Rep. Jim Wayne, D-Louisville, and Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington.
The meeting comes in the wake of the shooting death of 67-year-old Boni Frederick, of Morganfield. Ms. Frederick, a state social worker, was shot on Oct. 16 at the home of Renee Terrell, of Henderson. Ms. Frederick had taken Terrell's son, who was in the state's custody, to the house for a scheduled visit with his mother. The baby was not harmed.
Harper
Angel said the bill will be called "the Boni Bill." Ms. Frederick's daughter, Sandy Travis,
plans to attend the meeting on Friday,
which is a holiday for state workers.
Terrell, 33, and the baby's father, Christopher Luttrell, 23,have been charged with murder, kidnapping and first-degree robbery in the death of Ms. Frederick.
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Note: For a high-res. JPEG photo file of Senator Harper Angel, please log on to www.lrc.state.ky.us/pubinfo/ephoto.htm.