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Proposed Law Aims To Prevent Financial Exploitation Of Seniors
By: Associated Press
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UPDATE 11:14 a.m. Proposed Ohio legislation would add bankers, pharmacists and county humane society agents to the list of people required under law to report suspected elder abuse.
The bill introduced Thursday by Republican House Reps. Mike Dovilla of Berea and Wes Retherford of Hamilton adds those categories to existing requirements for doctors, dentists and hospital workers.
The legislation's goal is to strengthen Ohio's existing Adult Protective Services Law to improve the response to cases of elder abuse and encourage more reporting of such abuse.
The legislation, backed by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, would also require a state registry to help identify patterns of elder abuse.
The proposed bill would also ensure that the life savings and homes of senior citizens are protected.
Ohio lawmakers and state Attorney General Mike DeWine are promoting legislation to stop the financial exploitation of older Ohioans.
The proposals to be discussed Thursday by DeWine and House Rep. Mike Dovilla, a Berea Republican, and Rep. Wes Retherford, a Hamilton Republican, come at a time when experts estimate as many as 2 million older Americans are abused in various ways each year.
That abuse can range from physical assault to the misuse of a person's money, property and assets.
The proposed Ohio bill would also ensure that the life savings and homes of senior citizens are protected.