Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Kansas lawmakers to introduce elder abuse legislation
WICHITA, Kan. -- Kansas lawmakers returning to Topeka next week plan to take a look at legislation some hope will help protect senior citizens and other vulnerable Kansans from financial crimes.
Prosecutors say financial crimes targeting the elderly are serious enough to warrant prison time, so they are urging legislators to change state law to provide that option. Many lawmakers already agree.
"Financial abuse cases against senior citizens in this state happen every day, happen every hour to hundreds and hundreds of vulnerable Kansans," Sen. Jeff King, R-Independence, said during a Wichita news conference Thursday.
Protecting those vulnerable Kansans is why a group of prosecutors and advocates for the elderly are encouraging lawmakers to tighten state law and increase penalties and prison time for those who commit financial crimes against citizens who are 60 or older.
"It's important for us to let Kansans know that these crimes are going on, to be on the lookout for them and then, unfortunately, when they happen, to make sure prosecutors are able to bring the criminals to justice," King said.
If a bill pushed by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt becomes law, will increase prison time for anyone convicted of medicaid fraud. He said the crime has two groups of victims: Taxpayers and program recipients.
"Not only do you have a financial loss, you have somebody who was entitled to and expected to receive services who never got them," Schmidt said.
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Kansas lawmakers to introduce elder abuse legislation
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6 comments:
Good news. I am in full agreement for all states to consider clearer, stronger laws with sharp teeth - mandatory prison sentences - along with extended statute of limitations for all crimes against the elderly.
Discovering, investigating and prosecuting the crooks for financial crimes requires time and manpower.
And if a FIDUCIARY is suspect: Power of Attorney Agent, Guardian or Conservator, Trust Managers, Banks etc. that presents special circumstances requiring increasing the time limits by extending statute of limitations along with mandatory prison sentence.
I do have valid concerns who the 'advocates' are that there will be a number of victims who will be guardianized or conserved which will be a life sentence most often the ward is removed from their residence and some are placed into assisted living although most are forced to live in a nursing home facility.
Most who are in the protection system leave this earth as a ward or a conservatee. Very few are able to have the guardianship modified or terminated while alive.
If the crime of financial exploitation is engaged - guardian or conservator - the penalties should be stronger.
I THOROUGHLY AGREE Thelma. After all, these people are supposed to be trusted, so not only did they steal from the ward but chances are, the entire guardianship was established fraudulently. - Keep in mind, this helpless ward is now also destined to this life sentence. What a horrible nightmare to lose everything you've worked for and all your rights too! Let's not forget the isolation issue which is all too common. I think there are a large handful of guardians who should get life sentences themselves when convicted. I see it as one of the VERY WORST crimes ever committed. Think about it...In the worst case scenario, the following crimes could be involved in guardianship abuse: Exploitation of the elderly, Elderly abuse, Kidnapping,Grand larceny, Violation of due process, Extortion, Human trafficking, Purgery,Defamation of character, and Negligent homicide (or worse). Also, let's not forget how profoundly it destoys the lives of the loved ones of the ward. I am currently being treated for PTSD as a result of my fiance being kidnapped into guardianship. Of course the monsters who did it play so dirty and lie, so if I fight this, I'll likely end up in jail. It's all such a hideous, pathetic SCAM.- Right out of the twighlight zone because no one seems to know it's happening, or they don't believe it can happen. Some people just don't really care in the first place. It's taking considerable time, reserch and effort, but Im building my evidence base to fight this thing with all I've got ASAP. You all, will be the first to know when it happens.
hey there rocky looking forward to status reports updates what you say is true under color of law innocent seniors subjected to court appointed evaluations with intent to find the aip incompetent incapacitated physically disabled in need of the dooming term in need of protection courts go doctor shopping to get the results they want and need to establish a case that allows for the feeding frenzy to begin with no way out except death for the large majority of wards very few former wards are alive to testify to the destruction of their lives while left in state of destitute citizen all by design
Good News
Every state should be looking at the problems caused in guardianship. It ain't just family or strangers who are abusing seniors.
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