Bill Aims To Crack Down Further On Elder Abuse
New legislation in the state House aims to build off recent efforts to crack down on elder abuse.
In 2013, state lawmakers passed a bill that elevated some types of crimes against the elderly to felonies and added stricter reporting requirements to help police investigate suspicious activity.
House judiciary chair Wendell Willard is one of the sponsors of the new bill and says law enforcement needs additional tools.
“Those who are infirm, disabled, and the elderly should have proper protection under our laws to be sure that those who take advantage of them either financially or abuse them will be held accountable,” said Willard.
Under his proposal, banks and other financial institutions would be immune from lawsuits if they report suspicious activity to the police. It would also give law enforcement new power to bring racketeering charges against those targeting the elderly.
From 2008 to 2012, reports of elder abuse in Georgia increased by 65 percent. According to a state report, one in six Georgians over the age of 65 has been a victim of a financial crime.
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