N.J. State Sen. Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove of the 9th Legislative District have reintroduced a bill – S-1207/A-750 – that would create a new offense of theft by financial exploitation of vulnerable persons, targeting individuals in positions of trust who commit theft against a senior citizen or someone with a disability.
“Protecting our society’s most vulnerable citizens remains a core responsibility of government and law enforcement. To more effectively protect these individuals, we propose to enhance existing penalties for those who would abuse their position of trust to financially exploit seniors or persons with a disability,” the representatives said in a joint statement.
They added, “A person in a position of trust is defined under our legislation to include, but not be limited to, a parent, spouse, adult child or other relative by blood, or a joint tenant. It would also include someone who has a fiduciary obligation or receives monetary or other valuable consideration for providing care for a senior citizen, or person with a disability as well as an individual who lives with or provides some component of home care services on a continuing basis.”
The legislation provides that theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person would be graded as a crime of the fourth degree if the underlying offense is a disorderly persons offense or a petty disorderly persons offense. Otherwise, it would be a crime one degree higher than the most serious underlying theft offense.
Full Article and Source:
9th District Delegation Wants Harsher Penalties for Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Persons
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