CS/CS/HB 253 - Protection of Vulnerable Adults

• Reduces minimum theft amount from person 65+ that constitutes third-degree felony from $300 to $150.

• Renames Chapter 825 from "Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Elderly Persons and Disabled Adults" to "Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults" and expands definition to include adults 18+ whose ability to perform daily living activities is impaired.

• Defines new term "impaired" and adds "vulnerable adult" definition; eliminates deception or intimidation as required elements for exploitation charges.

• Updates multiple statutes throughout criminal code to use "vulnerable adult" terminology instead of "elderly person or disabled adult" in abuse, neglect, exploitation, lewd/lascivious, and other vulnerable person protection offenses.

• Effective October 1, 2013.