Estate and Trust Dispute Center of Ohio

The House unanimously passed the elder fraud bill (SB 158) after voting 81-1 to accept an amendment on the floor to add appointees by the House and Senate minority leaders as ex officio members to the Elder Abuse Commission. "We want to make sure we have many voices that can contribute," Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) said.

As for the measure itself, Rep. Steven Arndt (R-Port Clinton) said it will help protect Ohio's seniors. "While this legislation will not eliminate elder fraud, it will move Ohio in the right direction of providing seniors the types of protection they deserve," he said.

The full title of the bill is "To amend sections 2913.02, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.43, 2913.49, 5101.60, 5101.621, 5101.63, 5101.652, and 5101.74 and to enact sections 109.67 and 173.95 of the Revised Code to develop best practices and educational opportunities to combat elder fraud and exploitation, to modify the membership of the elder abuse commission, and to fine and require full restitution from offenders who are found guilty of certain fraud-related crimes against the elderly." The bill was sponsored by Senator Steve Wilson of Senate District 7.

Attached is a copy of the bill.

The bill will proceed to the Ohio governor for his signature.