SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 44

(By Senators Williams, Laird, Unger, Kessler (Mr. President), D. Hall, Snyder, Jenkins, McCabe and Stollings)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the safeguarding of older West Virginians against abuse, fraud and financial exploitation; the strengthening of protection against such crimes through reviewing and updating state laws; how other states define financial exploitation and how we may integrate certain elements of such other states’ laws into West Virginia law; and whether current law provides county prosecutors with the tools they need to track down and expose scams having an impact on older West Virginians.

    Whereas, Research shows that as many as two million older citizens are abused in the United States, and as a government, as a society and as individuals, we must increase our efforts to ensure that all older West Virginians age with dignity and honor; and

    Whereas, The majority of exploiters and abusers are strangers, such as telemarketing scammers going after credit card or Social Security numbers, paid caregivers or “sweethearts” – con artists who prey on lonely elderly; after that, it is friends, neighbors or family members; and then it is unscrupulous professionals, such as accountants, financial planners, bankers, lawyers, physicians and contractors; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature is working to help safeguard older West Virginians against abuse, fraud and financial exploitation; and

    Whereas, The National Center on Elder Abuse and the West Virginia Financial Exploitation Workgroup works to provide up-to-date information regarding research, training, best practices, news and resources on elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the safeguarding of older West Virginians against abuse, fraud and financial exploitation; the strengthening of protection against such crimes through reviewing and updating state laws; how other states define financial exploitation and how we may integrate certain elements of such other states’ laws into West Virginia law; and whether current law provides county prosecutors with the tools they need to track down and expose scams having an impact on older West Virginians; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the assistance of the National Center on Elder Abuse and the West Virginia Financial Exploitation Workgroup be requested in carrying out this study; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2014, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.