Protecting New York’s Elderly From Abuse

As New York’s senior population continues to grow, so does the number of
cases of elder abuse.

That’s why Senator Grisanti is pleased to report that the Senate just
passed a package of eight bills to prevent criminals from using financial
schemes to prey upon senior citizens.

Financial exploitation can range from the theft of cash, to much more
elaborate schemes. Unfortunately, these incidents often times go unreported
due to the startling fact that the abuser is someone that the victim
trusts.

Those who abuse and exploit our senior citizens should not go unpunished!

These bills will establish new protections for our elderly citizens and
give law enforcement officials additional tools to pursue and prosecute
those who would harm or take advantage of adults who are unable to protect
themselves.

Here are details on some of the bills:

• S.6221, which authorizes banks to refuse any transaction of moneys if the banking institution, social services official, or law enforcement agency reasonably believes that financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult has occurred or may occur.
• S.2951, which expands the definition of “caregiver” under the penal law to include a person who voluntarily, or otherwise by operation of law (such as an appointed guardian or power of attorney), assumes responsibility of an elderly person so that they would be tried under the “endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person” law.
• S.7179, which proposes to allow a prosecutor to obtain medical records, without a privilege waiver, with a subpoena, endorsed by the court, based upon a showing that the patient suffers from a mental disability, and that the patient has been a victim of a crime.