HB 963 Summary

• Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders (60 years or older) by removing the requirement that perpetrators know or reasonably should know the victim's age across multiple offense types.

• Modifies assault statutes to impose strict liability regarding victim age: assault in the first degree (§707-710) for substantial bodily injury to seniors and assault in the second degree (§707-711) for bodily injury to seniors.

• Applies strict liability for age in property crimes: theft in the first degree (§708-830.5) for theft from persons 60+ and theft in the second degree (§708-831) for theft of property exceeding $250 from seniors.

• Extends strict liability to forgery in the first degree (§708-851) and second degree (§708-852) when the forged instrument pertains to a person 60 years or older.

• Implements strict liability in unauthorized entry in a dwelling in the first degree (§708-812.55) when an elder is lawfully present in the dwelling at time of unlawful entry.

• Effective date: July 1, 3000.