Des Moines - AARP thanks the Iowa House and Senate for coming together and passing Senate File 2239, a bill that for the first time creates a definition of elder abuse and specific protections for older Iowans and their families against elder financial exploitation.
"We applaud the bipartisan work of Iowa lawmakers to create a definition of elder abuse and provide new protection from financial exploitation," said Kent Sovern, AARP Iowa State Director. "In tandem with the Iowa's new Uniform Power of Attorney Act, also passed by the General Assembly this session, Iowans can expect greater protection from the devastating effects of financial exploitation and abuse," said Sovern.
"This bill is a good compromise and a much-needed step toward better defense against financial exploitation, one of the most common types of elder abuse," said Sovern. The bill will allow Iowans to seek protective orders against perpetrators of financial exploitation to put a stop to this form of abuse. "While it is unfortunate this final bill does not include criminal sanctions as originally passed by both the House and Senate, we look forward to working with state leaders and stakeholders to establish criminal provisions next session."
For the past two years, AARP Iowa has been active on the Iowa Elder Abuse Taskforce, working with state leaders, advocates and other organizations appointed by the Iowa General Assembly to study the issue of elder abuse in our state and recommend actions to combat it. Creating an elder abuse definition and better combatting financial exploitation were the top consensus taskforce recommendations.
AARP particularly thanks Rep. Lisa Heddens (D), Rep. Chip Baltimore (R) and Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm (D) for their leadership on this important protection for older Iowans and their families.
Protecting the financial security of older Iowans has been a top priority of AARP in Iowa and nationally. Since the Association's founding more than half a century ago, AARP has been at the forefront of fighting for protections against financial exploitation of older Americans in statehouses across the country.
# # #
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands. More www.aarp.org.
