The Enquirer • May 5, 2008
LANSING — On Tuesday Senate Democrats, including Mark Schauer of Bedford Township, plan to introduce a ten-bill package designed to protect seniors from predators by ratcheting up penalties and providing additional tools for prosecutors.
The legislative action, based on recommendations made by Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Task Force on Elder Abuse, helps kick off “Older Americans Awareness Month” in May.
“Our seniors deserve a system that keeps them safe,” Schauer, a member of the Governor’s Elder Abuse Task Force, said in a press release. “This legislation puts more appropriate penalties in place to help prevent these crimes, and gives prosecutors the additional tools they need to convict predators.” These bills include legislation that would:
- Require the forfeiture of an inheritance by individuals who abused, neglected, or stole from a vulnerable adult.
- · Increase penalties and sentencing guidelines for the crime of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults based on the dollar amount involved, in some cases doubling it.
- · Allow the testimony of a vulnerable adult to be presented by videotape or closed circuit television to accommodate physical limitations.
- · Provide for consecutive sentences for any crimes against vulnerable adults, increased sentencing guidelines for a death in an unlicensed care facility and increased penalties for obstructing an investigation at an adult care facility.In Michigan there are an estimated 73,000 older adults who have been victims of abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect as well as the financial exploitation and theft of resources.
To view the Task Force’s Final Report, visit www.ihcs.msu.edu/elder.
SOURCE: BattleCreekEnquirer
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