Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Introduces the Elder Abuse Protection Act of 2020

HOUSTON, TX – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced The Elder Abuse Prevention Act, which would direct the Attorney General to establish the Elder Justice Initiative within the Department of Justice Criminal Division. The Elder Justice Initiative would be responsible for coordinating criminal enforcement and public engagement efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial fraud and scams that target elders.

"As a former social worker, I have seen first-hand the impact that elder abuse, neglect, and financial fraud can have on our seniors, one of the most vulnerable communities in our country," said Congresswoman Garcia. "The Elder Abuse Protection Act of 2020 is a critical step in making sure that our seniors can live with dignity and respect, and that they are not the targets of scams that can seriously jeopardize their livelihoods. This is especially important in the wake of COVID-19, which many experts say has led to a significant increase in the number of abuse cases of elderly people. Congresswoman Garcia added, "Due to quarantine measures and limitations on visiting facilities and nursing homes, it has made it easier for abuse, neglect, and fraud to go undetected. We must do everything we can to protect our seniors, the group most disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and ensure they are not the targets of these heinous crimes."

The Elder Abuse Protection Act of 2020 would:

• Make the Elder Justice Initiative a permanent office within the Department of Justice Criminal Division that would be responsible for overseeing Elder Justice Coordinators, who are assigned to each United States Attorney's Office;
• Require the Elder Justice Coordinators to evaluate training models and best practices to create publicly available materials for local law enforcement and public officials tasked with investigating, interacting with victims of elder abuse, or addressing elder abuse;
• Mandate that the Elder Justice Initiative maintain and publish information aimed at protecting elders from fraudulent schemes and include resources aimed at preventing elder abuse; and
• Require the Attorney General's Office to translate into Spanish any online resources that the Elder Justice Initiative publishes, and to post Spanish-language links that facilitate reporting of elder fraud and abuse to state and local law enforcement and help educate the public to prevent the financial exploitation of elders.

Click here to read the full bill text.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.