Saturday, March 6, 2010

NJ Bill to Protect Elderly from Exploitation Advances

An Assembly panel approved a bill to protect frail elderly people from exploitation.

"This measure targets those individuals who prey on elderly persons age 60 and above who are suffering from a mental disease or condition rendering them incapable of making financial decisions on their own," said Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean), a sponsor of the legislation. "Too often, persons use the trust they have gained from an elderly person left vulnerable from their unfortunate circumstances to steal through means of fraud, false promises, extortion or even intimidation."

The bill advances to the full Assembly.

Full Article and Source:
Bill Protecting Frail Elderly From Exploitation Advances to N.J. Assembly

5 comments:

Lou said...

Thank you NJ for taking a step in the right direction. The abuse, neglect and exploitation of the vulnerable is a crime rapidly growing. People in a position of trust including Judges, Lawyers, Professional Guardian, National Guardianship Association Members, Caretakers and many others are committing it everyday.

Thelma said...

The bill isn't strong enough.
Crime by professionals is growing and they must be subjected to steeper penalties for exploitation.

StandUp said...

Good start. I am always glad to see any additional protection for the vulnerable.

And I'd also like to see specific language regarding guardianship exploitation too.

Anonymous said...

Yes, good beginning for NJ. Now let's hope it builds steam!

tvfields said...

Legislation like this is typically introduced by lawmakers who want to make it look like they are doing something about the problem without doing what is really needed, such as developing and mandating the safeguards needed to prevent cases like that which ABC broadcast on its December 11th, 2009 program 20/20 and reproduced online at http://www.abcnews.go.com/2020/mary-ellens-mansion-elder-abuse/story?id=8974477. For more information about safeguards which have been proposed, check out the minutes of the September 21, 2009 meeting of Ohio's Elder Abuse Commission and/or send an inquiry to tvfields@oh.rr.com