A bill to prevent someone who abuses an elderly person from inheriting his or her assets passed a House committee unanimously Thursday and appears headed for easy approval by the full House.The quick committee action drew praise from advocates for the elderly, including those with Alzheimer’s disease.
“It gives people some dignity, even in death,” said Ellen Kershaw, a spokeswoman for the Alzheimer’s Association in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. “People with Alzheimer’s are especially vulnerable.”
The bill’s goal is to close a loophole in current law, Rep. Joni Jenkins, the Shively Democrat who is sponsoring House Bill 52, told the House Health and Welfare Committee.
A law known as the “slayer statute” already bars a person convicted of killing someone from inheriting from the victim. But as things stand now, people convicted of abusing, neglecting or financially exploiting an elderly person still can benefit financially after the victim’s death.
“There have been some really tragic cases,” Jenkins said. “This bill would remedy that.”
Under HB 52, if no other heirs can be located, the estate would go into a trust fund for elder protection.
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Panel Backs Bill to Bar Financial Gain from Elder Abuse
That's a small beginning. There's much more to do.
ReplyDeleteIt needs to include the specific category of guardianship abus.
ReplyDelete