Senior Protection Legislation Passed

Michigan senior citizens will be better protected from financial exploitation and other forms of abuse and neglect under legislation overwhelmingly approved this week by the state House, Rep. Peter Pettalia announced.

The multi-bill legislative package, which was approved with bipartisan support, helps curb a variety of abuses against older adults.

“Stopping those who prey on senior citizens through financial exploitation or outright physical abuse is an on-going battle as new scams and dangers seem to crop up every day,” said Pettalia, R-Presque Isle. “We must do all we can to protect Michigan’s growing number of elderly residents.”

The senior protection package creates new penalties for embezzling from a vulnerable adult; prevents heirs who committed abuse or neglect against the elder person from inheriting the estate or becoming the executor; and creates escalating penalties for various types of racketeering and fraud.

The bills also protect seniors from physical abuse by creating a statewide protocol for investigating elder abuse, and establish an emergency response system similar to the Amber Alert for anyone at least 60 years old who is believed to be incapable of returning to their residence without assistance and is reported missing.