Amended Substitute Senate Bill No. 158 - Summary

• Requires Attorney General to distribute at least six public awareness publications annually on elder fraud and financial exploitation, including warning signs, reporting methods, and available services and resources.

• Directs four state directors (aging, commerce, job and family services, and attorney general) to develop best practices and standards for preventing elder fraud, provide education, and ensure victims have access to services, with a report due by December 1, 2019.

• Increases criminal penalties for fraud-related offenses (theft, credit card misuse, forgery, securing writings by deception, and identity fraud) when the victim is an elderly person, with mandatory full restitution and fines up to $50,000.

• Establishes the Elder Abuse Commission with 22 appointed members representing organizations focused on elder protection and 10 ex officio members from state and legislative leadership, meeting at least four times annually.

• Allows county departments of job and family services to contract with private or government entities to receive elder abuse reports and perform investigation and protective services duties.