State Reps. Doug Wozniak, Diana Farrington, Sarah Anthony, Tenisha Yancey and Kyra Bolden submit their elder abuse plan to the House enrolling clerk today

State Rep. Diana Farrington today introduced legislation as part of a bipartisan plan to combat elder abuse and establish increased protections for Michigan’s senior population. She was joined by Reps. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township), Vanessa Guerra (D-Saginaw), Graham Filler (R-DeWitt), Kyra Bolden (D-Southfield), Tenisha Yancey (D-Harper Woods) and Kathy Crawford (R-Novi).

Farrington, R-Utica, said elder abuse is a serious crime that is becoming more and more common. These additional protections and increased criminal penalties will ensure people think twice before targeting or taking advantage of older adults.

“Our seniors are increasingly being targeted by criminals who prey on them and try to scam them into sending away their life savings,” said Farrington. “We must increase penalties to keep this kind of behavior from continuing to spread.”

The eight-bill bipartisan plan will add legal protections for adults age 65 and older and establish increased criminal penalties for individuals who financially or physically abuse vulnerable and elder adults.

“Senior citizens are one of our most vulnerable populations and they’re increasingly becoming targets of crime,” Wozniak said. “We must establish stronger deterrents to protect our seniors and empower others to help them.”

The plan will be formally introduced on Tuesday.

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