House approves bill creating new crime for financial exploitation of older Iowans

The Iowa House has approved the creation of a new crime of financial exploitation of a vulnerable elder in a scaled back version of elder-abuse legislation that previously passed the state Senate.

The House version of Senate File 2239 makes financially exploiting vulnerable adults who are age 65 or older and unable to protect themselves a crime ranging from a simple misdemeanor up to a class C felony punishable by 10 years in prison. The penalty would depend on the dollar value of the exploitation.

The Senate package also included a state-sponsored referral and investigative services for individuals concerned about being victims of such abuse. House leaders have said those state services could not be funded in the coming years budget and that lawmakers should take a narrower approach this year.

Full Article & Source:
House approves bill creating new crime for financial exploitation of older Iowans