Page 2 Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Page 27 Daily Court Review Daily Court Review Talking Points Talking Points A weekly section to spur conversation DAUGHTERS OF CASEY KASEM, PETER FALK TACKLE ELDER VISITATION Associated Press The daughters of two late celebrities are seeking easier ways for family and friends to visit ailing block visitation if they can show good cause. The bill would also require guardians to notify close elders, and have brought separate legislation to Washington state in memory of their fathers’ relatives and others if the incapacitated person moves to a new home, spends time in the hospital end-of-life struggles. or dies, among other things. Their stories are similar: Kerri Kasem and Catherine Falk were blocked from visiting Casey Republican state Sen. Mike Padden, from Spokane Valley is the bill’s sponsor. Kasem and Peter Falk, who had serious illnesses, due to personal disagreements and had to take Kasem’s main bill, House Bill 2401, lets a person petition a court for visitation rights. Its pri- legal action to see them. mary sponsor is state Rep. Linda Kochmar, R-Federal Way. Another proposal Kasem is behind, The women are independently working in a swath of states to provide a way for close friends House Bill 2402, requires a guardian to tell close relatives and friends if an elder spends significant and relatives to visit an ailing or incapacitated elder without filing for guardianship. time in the hospital or has died. Kasem has introduced legislation in 11 other states this year, fought for previously passed Falk’s bill only addresses visitation of incapacitated people because law enforcement and others legislation in Texas and California, and lobbied for a successful bill in Iowa. Falk has introduced can settle family disagreements, she said in a phone interview. But Kasem’s petition bill includes legislation in more than 20 states this year. visitation for everyone. In a phone interview, Kasem said police didn’t help her family dispute. In Washington, their proposals haven’t found universal support. Some say new legislation is Some at the hearings said they weren’t sure any of the bills are necessary. The state’s law protect- unnecessary and current law protecting vulnerable elders is strong. ing people in guardianships is strong, according to the Washington Association of Professional Radio personality Casey Kasem had dementia, and his three adult children from a previous mar- Guardians. riage and Jean Kasem, his second wife, were embroiled in a long legal battle over his care. Kasem, Lawmakers shouldn’t “overly complicate what is already a fundamentally good law in this state,” who was also the voice of Shaggy in Scooby-Doo, characters on Sesame Street and a host of other testified Steve Lindstrom, an association consultant, at the hearing for Kasem’s petition bill, cartoons, died at 82 in Gig Harbor in 2014. calling Washington “certainly a leader of the pack when it comes to protection of incapacitated “Everyone who loved my father was kept from him,” Kerri Kasem said at a Jan. 20 hearing persons.” before a House panel. Changes to Washington’s law that protects vulnerable adults needs more discussion by “a broad Actor Peter Falk starred in the TV series “Columbo.” He became incapacitated in 2008 due coalition of stakeholders,” instead of pushing legislation through in this year’s short, 60-day ses- to dementia, possibly related to Alzheimer’s disease. Catherine Falk eventually battled his long- sion, said Amy Freeman an attorney for the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Patricia Hunter time second wife Shera Falk in court to win occasional visits with her father, who died in 2011 at the hearing for Kasem’s petition bill. in California. None of the bills have been scheduled for a vote. The two women are taking different approaches in Washington state. Kasem has expressed interest in combining efforts with Falk or others pushing guardianship Falk’s bill, Senate Bill 6235, says a guardian can’t restrict an incapacitated person’s right to visit reform legislation. Both say the legal process they endured to visit their fathers was unnecessary and communicate with anybody. The consent of an incapacitated person is presumed based on and too expensive for the average person. ED GONZALEZ ATTEMPTS TO their history with people, such as close relatives with positive relationships. The guardian could “There’s no help from the law,” Kasem said. In this photo taken Jan. 19, 2016, Kerri Kasem the daughter of the late radio personality Casey Kasem, talks to reporters after testify- ing during a hearing at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Kasem and FOLLOW ADRIAN GARCIA’S others are seeking easier ways for family and friends to visit ailing elders, after she was blocked from seeing her father, who died at 82 in Gig Harbor, Wash., in 2014 due to a long legal battle over his care between his three adult children from a previous marriage and Jean Kasem, his second wife. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Copyright CAREER PATH 2016, The Associated Press GONZALEZ’S POLITICAL RISE IS DAILY COURT REVIEW NEARLY IDENTICAL TO GARCIA Talking Points available at: Rice University 6100 Main Street Houston, Texas 77005 713-348-0000 South Texas College of Law 1303 San Jacinto Street Houston, Texas 77002 713-659-8040 Texas Southern Universtiy 3100 Cleburne Street Houston, Texas 77004 713-313-7011 By David Rosen University of Houston n his quest to become the next Harris County In 2008, Garcia was running against Tommy successor, Jason Cisneroz, lost a December runoff in 4800 Calhoun Road Sheriff, Ed Gonzalez is following a very familiar Thomas, an incumbent tarnished by scandal and District H by ten points. Houston, Texas 77004 Ipath. allegations of impropriety. This year, if Gonzalez Garcia’s profile in 2008 was raised by the fact that 832-531-6300 Before getting into politics, Gonzalez was an offi- advances past the primary to the general election, he was still an incumbent Councilmember and he cer in the Houston Police Department – the same he will likely face Republican incumbent Ron Hick- was the right-hand man of Mayor Bill White. This University of Houston - Downtown place where former Sheriff Adrian Garcia worked man, a relatively well-liked former Constable who year, Gonzalez is no longer in elected office and his One Main Street for many years. Gonzalez began his political career as was appointed Sheriff when Garcia resigned last year highest position held so far has been Mayor Pro Tem Houston, Texas 77002 City Councilmember in District H, just like Garcia. to run for Mayor. under former Mayor Annise Parker, a considerably 713-221-8000 Gonzalez was then promoted to Mayor Pro Tem, a 2008 was a fantastic year for local Democrats. more polarizing figure than White. position also once held by Garcia. Garcia was one of the top vote-getters, outperform- To date, Gonzalez has been able to follow in University of Houston Law Center In 2008, Garcia was Mayor Pro Tem and District ing even Barack Obama in Harris County. Garcia Garcia’s footsteps from HPD to City Hall and to the 100 Law Center H Councilmember when he was elected Harris performed so well across the county in 2008 that in position of Mayor Pro Tem. But to get elected Sheriff Houston, Texas 77204 County Sheriff. Now, as a former Mayor Pro Tem 2012, coordinated Democratic campaigns made him in November, Gonzalez will need to run a nearly 713-743-2100 and former District H Councilmember, Gonzalez is the face of the local party. Garcia unseated Thomas flawless campaign against Hickman and overcome a the frontrunner for the Democratic Party’s nomina- with more than 56% of the vote in 2008 and was potentially hostile national political climate. University of St. Thomas tion for Sheriff in this year’s election. re-elected in 2012 with 53%. *** 3800 Montrose Boulevard The parallels between Gonzalez’s path to date and There are signs that Gonzalez lacks some of the David Rosen was the 2014 Democratic nominee Houston, TX 77006 Garcia’s rise are uncanny. But it’s too early to tell if political gravitas of Garcia. In 2009, Garcia was able for Harris County Treasurer. Previously, he worked 713-522-7911 Gonzalez will be as successful this year as Garcia was to help get his chosen successor, Gonzalez, elected on the campaigns of three members of Houston City in 2008. to his old Council seat. In 2015, Gonzalez’s chosen Council. Talking Points Art Director: Zack Zwicky Submit original articles, images, and commentary for publication to: [email protected] Talking Points continued on next to last page .