House Bill Would Make Exploitation of Elderly a Crime

Financial exploitation of the elderly would become a crime in Missouri under a bill working its way through the House.State Representative Phillip Britt of Kennett admits some suggest the financial exploitation of the elderly or disabled is covered in other statutes. But he says it’s a specific crime targeting specific people that will only get worse if the state doesn’t address it.A person would break the law if he used deception to take a person’s property or money. Britt says provisions in his bill protect family members or others acting in good faith to manage a person’s estate, but who might incur a financial loss.The House has approved the bill and sent it to the Senate.