California is looking to make large strides toward eliminating the possibility of elder abuse throughout the state. Three measures have already received the approval of lawmakers, and now all that remains is for the Governor to affix his signature to the bills before they would come into law, offering extended protections to those who are at risk of being taken advantage of.
The first bill targets all types of abuse, including emotional, physical, and financial. Basically, it seeks to increase the punishment that persons who commit crimes against elderly individuals could expect to face. The measure seeks to improve prosecutions and sentences in this field so that the increased scrutiny and seriousness can act as a deterrent to would-be abusers.
The other bills seek to protect against financial abuse, which has evolved in the age of the internet. One measure would establish a wider umbrella encompassing what could be considered financial abuse. This could be a family member or a scammer exerting their influence to get an elderly person to sign over money in any number of ways.
The final measure attempts to get notaries public more involved in reporting elder abuse. The thought is that such individuals, since they’re often required to witness legal transactions, are in a unique position to identify abuse.