Cornyn, Klobuchar Bill to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation Passes Senate

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Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act would help crack down on elder abuse by strengthening oversight and accountability for guardians and conservators

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that their bipartisan legislation to protect seniors from neglect and financial exploitation has passed the Senate. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act would help crack down on elder abuse by strengthening oversight and accountability for guardians and conservators.

 

“This bill strengthens support for our nation’s senior citizens by ensuring they get the court-appointed care they need, while also protecting them from exploitation and fraud,” said Sen. Cornyn.  “I’m proud to join Sen. Klobuchar in standing up for enhanced oversight to ensure this critical program helps, not harms, America’s senior citizens.”

 

“While most court-appointed guardians and conservators are undoubtedly professional, caring, and law-abiding, there are some who use their position of power to exploit seniors,” Senator Klobuchar said. “This bipartisan legislation would strengthen oversight and accountability for those entrusted to with the well-being of seniors, and will protect those who are most vulnerable.” 

 

Cornyn and Klobuchar’s bipartisan legislation passed as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act makes courts eligible for an already existing program designed to protect seniors. Under the program, state courts would be able to apply for funding to assess the handling of proceedings relating to guardians and conservators, and then make the necessary improvements to their practices. For example, the courts could conduct background checks on potential guardians and conservators, or implement an electronic filing system in order to better monitor and audit conservatorships and guardianships.

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Cornyn, Klobuchar Bill to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation Passes Senate

Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act Passes Committee

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement after their bipartisan legislation, the Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act, to protect seniors from neglect and financial exploitation passed the Senate Judiciary Committee:

“Those who exploit and defraud our senior citizens, especially through a court-appointed position, must be held accountable,” Sen. Cornyn said. “I’m proud to sponsor this bipartisan legislation to defend our seniors from criminals who take advantage of them.”

“While most court-appointed guardians and conservators are undoubtedly professional, caring, and law-abiding, we must do all that we can to protect seniors from exploitation. Our critical bipartisan bill strengthens oversight and accountability for those who are entrusted with acting in the best interests of seniors,” Klobuchar said. “Today’s action is a positive step forward in providing stronger protections for our vulnerable seniors.”

Background on the Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act:
The bill passed the Judiciary Committee as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act makes courts eligible for an already existing program designed to protect seniors. Under the program, state courts would be able to apply for funding to assess the handling of proceedings relating to guardians and conservators, and then make the necessary improvements to their practices. For example, the courts could conduct background checks on potential guardians and conservators, or implement an electronic filing system in order to better monitor and audit conservatorships and guardianships.

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Cornyn, Klobuchar Bill to Protect Seniors From Financial Exploitation Passes Committee>