The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 249 on exploitation of dependents and endangered adults sponsored by Reps. McNamara, Lehman, and Speedy. The bill amends the definitions under the current exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult statute and provides that a person commits exploitation of a dependent or an endangered adult if the person recklessly uses or exerts control over the personal services or property of an endangered adult. The bill further provides that a person in a position of trust commits exploitation of a dependent or endangered adult if the person recklessly engages in self-dealing with the property of the dependent or endangered adult. Lastly, the bill removes: (1) provisions relating to the Social Security Act; (2) a sentencing enhancement that applies if the victim is at least 60 years of age; and (3) a sentencing enhancement based on the value of the property.
The Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, Indiana Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS), Adult Guardianship Taskforce, and the Alzheimer’s Association testified in support of the bill. The bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2020/bills/senate/249