The bills would increase access to personal protection orders that could prevent someone from financially abusing…or making decisions for someone at least 60 years old or deemed vulnerable.
Republican Senator Lana Theis says she doesn’t like using age in the legislation.
“By virtue of having made it to 60 should not offer for you enhanced protections. It doesn’t create an additional vulnerability because you had a 60th birthday.”
But Democratic Senator Veronica Klinefelt says the courts can safeguard against abuse of the system.
“We can trust the judge to determine if the individual’s a vulnerable adult and if they need protection.”
Other parts of the legislation make it easier for prosecutors to go after someone for financially abusing a vulnerable adult.