House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

Posted:	January 9, 2019 03:09 PM
From:	Representative Ryan A. Bizzarro
To:	All House members
Subject:	Elder Abuse - Powers of Attorney

Many of our Commonwealth’s older adults who have dementia and other debilitating illnesses rely on the good will of others to assist them with their financial responsibilities, and as such, grant power of attorney to a trusted person. Unfortunately, some of these agents misappropriate funds and abuse their authority as power of attorney. Under current law, there is no requirement for power of attorney documents to indicate that certain harmful acts could lead to criminal prosecution of the person acting as power of attorney. My legislation would revise the current acknowledgement on these documents to include a warning that non-compliance with the principal’s directives could result in criminal charges against the agent. Additionally, my legislation would allow local Area Agencies on Aging to access financial transactions when a crime is suspected of occurring against a principal who is unable to consent due to incapacity. It is crucial that we protect citizens of this Commonwealth, particularly our most vulnerable populations, from abuse. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.
View Attachment

Introduced as HB535