An Act To Protect Older Adults from Financial Exploitation

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  senior citizens are often the targets of fraudulent and exploitive financial schemes; and

Whereas,  personal financial management assistance for those senior citizens who are no longer able to manage their finances could decrease the number of senior citizens who are taken advantage of financially and allow them to continue to live independently; and

Whereas,  this legislation provides such assistance and needs to take effect as soon as possible to prevent further abuse; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §5114, sub-§2, ¶¶F and G  as enacted by PL 1973, c. 630, §1, are amended to read:

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §5114, sub-§2, ¶H  is enacted to read:

Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Office of Aging and Disability Services Central Office - 0140

Initiative: Provides funding to support personal financial management assistance programs for senior citizens.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17
All Other	$175,000	$175,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$175,000	$175,000

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill provides ongoing funding to the office of aging and disability services program within the Department of Health and Human Services for the operation of personal financial management assistance programs for senior citizens.