Bill package increases protections for state’s rapidly aging population
LANSING — A group of bipartisan legislators led by state Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) introduced an eight-bill package to strengthen protections for Michigan’s senior population and address elder abuse.
“We have a responsibility as elected officials to protect all of our citizens, especially individuals who need extra support or are perceived as vulnerable,” said Anthony. “As our state’s population ages, we need to ensure the necessary protections and penalties are in place not only to punish bad actors looking to exploit our senior citizens but to prevent these tragic incidents of abuse from happening in the first place. This package communicates our commitment to ensuring our aging Boomer population is supported later in life.”
The package will address several areas to bolster protections for the senior community and empower others to help them. Anthony’s bill in the package establishes criminal penalties for those who fraudulently obtain or attempt to obtain an elder adult’s money or property. Other bills in the package will define an elder adult as an individual aged 65 and older, and update relevant legislation to reflect the new definition as well as establishing criminal penalties for assaulting or restraining an elder adult. Joining Rep. Anthony are state Reps. Vanessa Guerra (D-Saginaw), Kyra Bolden (D-Southfield, Tenisha Yancey (D-Harper Woods), Douglas Wozniak (R-Shelby Township), Diana Farrington (R-Utica), Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) and Kathy Crawford (R-Novi).