THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2314

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE ELDERLY.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

PART I

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 708, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding four new sections to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§708-    Financial exploitation of an elder in the first degree.  (1)  A person commits the offense of financial exploitation of an elder in the first degree if the person commits theft of property, the value of which exceeds $10,000, of an elder, and knows that the owner of the property is an elder, or recklessly disregards the risk that the owner of the property is an elder.

     (2)  Financial exploitation of an elder in the first degree is a class A felony.

     §708-    Financial exploitation of an elder in the second degree.  (1)  A person commits the offense of financial exploitation of an elder in the second degree if the person commits theft of property, the value of which exceeds $5,000, of an elder, and knows that the owner of the property is an elder, or recklessly disregards the risk that the owner of the property is an elder.

     (2)  Financial exploitation of an elder in the second degree is a class B felony.

     §708-    Financial exploitation of an elder in the third degree.  (1)  A person commits the offense of financial exploitation of an elder in the third degree if the person commits theft of property, the value of which exceeds $100, of an elder, and knows that the owner of the property is an elder, or recklessly disregards the risk that the owner of the property is an elder.

     (2)  Financial exploitation of an elder in the third degree is a class C felony.

     §708-    Financial exploitation of an elder in the fourth degree.  (1)  A person commits the offense of financial exploitation of an elder in the fourth degree if the person commits theft of property, the value of which is not in excess of $100, of an elder, and knows that the owner of the property is an elder, or recklessly disregards the risk that the owner of the property is an elder.

     (2)  Financial exploitation of an elder in the fourth degree is a misdemeanor."

     SECTION 2.  Section 708-800, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Elder" means any person who is sixty years of age or older."

PART II

     SECTION 3.  Section 412:3-114.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§412:3-114.5[]]  Mandatory reporting of suspected financial abuse of an elder.  (a)  A financial institution shall report suspected financial abuse that is directed towards, targets, or is committed against an elder to the [department of human services] appropriate local law enforcement agency if:

     (1)  In connection with providing financial services to the elder, the officer or employee of a financial institution:

         (A)  Has direct contact with the elder; or

         (B)  Reviews or approves the elder's financial documents, records, or transactions; and

     (2)  The officer or employee, within the scope of employment or professional practice:

         (A)  Observes or has knowledge of an incident the officer or employee believes in good faith appears to be financial abuse; or

         (B)  In the case of officers or employers who do not have direct contact with the elder, has a good faith suspicion that financial abuse has occurred or may be occurring, based solely on the information present at the time of reviewing or approving the document, record, or transaction.

     (b)  Suspected financial abuse shall be reported [immediately] to the [department] appropriate local law enforcement agency immediately by telephone and followed by a written report sent [within five business days.] via electronic mail immediately thereafter or as soon as practicable.

     [(c)  Upon notification by a financial institution of suspected financial abuse, the department, in a timely manner, shall determine whether the department has jurisdiction over the elder involved; and if not, shall notify the financial institution, which shall then notify the proper local law enforcement agency immediately by telephone and forward the written report to the agency within three business days.  A financial institution shall not be liable for failing to report suspected financial abuse to a local law enforcement agency in cases in which the department fails to notify the institution of the department's lack of jurisdiction.

     (d)] (c)  Notwithstanding any other state law to the contrary, including but not limited to laws concerning confidentiality, any person, including the financial institution, who:

     (1)  Participates in the making of a report pursuant to this section; and

     (2)  Believes, in good faith, that the action is warranted by facts known to that person,

shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might be otherwise incurred or imposed by or as a result of the making of the report.  Any person making the report shall have the same immunity with respect to participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from the report.

     [(e)] (d)  For the purposes of this section:

     ["Department" means the department of human services.]

     "Elder" means a person who is [sixty-two] sixty years of age or older.

     "Financial abuse" means financial abuse or economic exploitation."

PART III

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

Report Title:

Financial Exploitation of Elder

 

Description:

Creates the crime of financial exploitation of an elder.  Requires financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse to the appropriate local law enforcement agency.  (SD2)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.