Bills Introduced to Combat Elder Abuse in WI

A pair of Republican legislators have introduced a package
of legislation designed to combat elder abuse. Senator Patrick Testin and
Representative John Maaco’s bills would expedite hearings in criminal cases
involving elderly victims or witnesses, and allow brokers and investment
advisers to delay transactions from the accounts of vulnerable adults when they
suspect financial exploitation.

The bills would also allow banks, lenders and check-cashing
services to refuse or delay transactions if they suspect a vulnerable adult,
strengthen criminal penalties for sexually or physically abusing people over 60
and create sentence enhancers for crimes involving the elderly. The bills were
formed out of recommendations by former Attorney General Brad Schimel’s Elder
Abuse Task Force.