House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	April 19, 2017 01:38 PM
From:	Representative Morgan Cephas
To:	All House members
Subject:	Elder Financial Abuse

In the near future, I will be introducing former House Bill 647 of the 2015-16 Legislative Session. The legislation adds a definition to the state’s Older Adults Protective Services Act for “financial abuse” to address situations where intentional acts of deception involving financial transactions such as lottery, email, and mail schemes occur. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the third highest percentage of elderly residents in the United States with nearly 2 million residents over the age of 65. Statistically, senior citizens are favored targets for many kinds of consumer fraud including identity theft, charities, telemarketing and sweepstakes fraud. More importantly (and relevant to my legislation) is the fact that the fastest growing segment of Pennsylvania's elderly population are those who are 85 years of age or older. Frail and care dependent elderly are often more susceptible to abuse, including physical and mental abuse, financial exploitation and neglect. Therefore, please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation which will increase the oversight and protection of our seniors from those who would cheat, deceive, or abuse older Pennsylvanians.

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