LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 2, 2024) — According to the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, more than 73,000 older adults in the state are victims of elder abuse. Taking many forms — including scams, fraud, and theft — abuse and exploitation pose a significant threat to the well-being of Michigan seniors and other vulnerable adults. This harm can occur in the person’s home, in the home of a family member, or in licensed settings and can lead to serious physical and psychological effects such as depression, increased hospitalization, and premature death. To ensure Michigan’s growing population of aging adults can enjoy the dignity, safety, and quality of life they deserve, Senate Democrats are working to advance legislation to help local and state governments better prevent, detect, and prosecute all forms of elder abuse.
Today marked an important step in the process as the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), unanimously voted to favorably advance Senate Bills 922–925 for the full chamber’s consideration. Introduced by Senators Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), this legislative package would enhance protections for vulnerable adults by strengthening penalties for abuse and financial exploitation offenses, while also developing programs to bolster prevention efforts.
“Our older adults and vulnerable residents deserve to live their lives free from exploitation and abuse,” said Sen. Klinefelt, lead sponsor of the package. “With this legislation, we are taking much-needed action to empower these individuals and ensure they have the tools needed to safeguard their physical safety and financial well-being. Today’s committee vote is a crucial step forward in the process, and I look forward to getting these bills to the governor’s desk for signature.”
“We owe so much to Michigan’s seniors who have spent their lives protecting and providing for our communities. For too long, they’ve been targeted and left vulnerable to financial exploitation, scams, and fraud. These are real people, real families, and real savings at risk,” said Sen. Anthony. “Now it’s our turn to protect and provide for them. I’m happy to see these bills are making progress, bringing us one step closer to a legal system that truly delivers justice for everyone and safeguards those who have given so much to all of us.”
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Senate Bill 922 (Klinefelt): Allows an individual who is 60 years or older, is a vulnerable adult, or has a developmental disability to petition the court to obtain an elder and vulnerable adult personal protection order (PPO).
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Senate Bill 923 (Anthony): Includes embezzlement of a vulnerable adult as a predicate offense for racketeering, allowing prosecutors to pursue recovery of property under a 10-year statute of limitations (from the current six-year statute of limitations).
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Senate Bill 924 (Hertel): Extends legal protections beyond a vulnerable adult’s death, ensuring that offenders who continue their schemes posthumously face the same penalties as if the exploitation had occurred while the vulnerable adult was alive.
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Senate Bill 925 (Irwin): Allows each county or region to create a vulnerable adult multidisciplinary team to take a holistic approach to preventing, intervening, investigating, and prosecuting abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older and vulnerable adults.
“Elder abuse and exploitation is a public health issue. It’s a social issue. And it’s an economic issue,” said Sen. Hertel. “Addressing this pervasive and growing threat requires all of us to do our part and work together to bolster support for our aging population and close loopholes that jeopardize their well-being. This legislation is an important step towards ensuring seniors and other vulnerable adults here in Michigan are afforded the safety, dignity, and justice they have earned and deserve.”
“All people, no matter their age or ability, deserve to live without the fear of being harmed or mistreated,” said Sen. Irwin. “Today, we’ve moved one step closer to ensuring vulnerable adults have additional protections against exploitation and abuse.”
During the committee process, this package garnered support from a broad coalition of organizations including the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Catholic Conference, and the Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project.
“Our seniors and vulnerable adults deserve peace and dignity,” said Sen. Chang. “As Chair of the Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee, I proudly stand with committee members and bill sponsors to support this bill package going to the full Senate. We are one step closer to better ensuring Michigan’s most vulnerable residents are protected from abuse and exploitation.”
This legislation now awaits the full Senate’s approval.