MA H597

Bill

Increasing the penalties for unfair and deceptive actions perpetrated against persons with disabilities and senior citizens

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to deceptive actions perpetrated against elderly and disabled persons. Elder Affairs.

AI Summary

This bill aims to increase the penalties for unfair and deceptive actions perpetrated against persons with disabilities and senior citizens. It establishes the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Abuse Prevention Fund, which will be funded by revenues generated under Section 4 of Chapter 93A that exceed the amounts collected during each fiscal year. The fund will be used to educate senior citizens, disabled persons, and the general public about consumer protection laws and deceptive investment or marketing practices that have historically targeted these populations. Additionally, the bill amends Section 4 of Chapter 93A to allow the court to impose an additional civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation that was perpetrated against one or more senior citizens or persons with disabilities, based on factors such as the defendant's knowledge of the victim's status, the extent of the harm caused, and the victim's vulnerability.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (8)

Bruce Ayers (D), Susan Gifford (R), Matt Muratore (R), James Murphy (D), Patrick O'Connor (R), John Rogers (D), Jeff Roy (D), Steve Ultrino (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4401 (on 08/20/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H597

(7 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H597
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H597.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H3215	Establishing veterans’ service officers as mandated reporters	Accompanied a study order, see H4404	Similar To
H4401	Elder Affairs Study Order	Discharged to the committee on House Rules	Replaced by
H633	Assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters	Accompanied a study order, see H4403	Similar To
S2427	Updating terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities	Amendment (as recommended by the committee on Senate Ways and Means) adopted	Similar To
S2430	Preserving special needs trusts for disabled seniors	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S353	To promote quality case management services on behalf of the elderly	Accompanied a study order, see S2487	Similar To
S791	Establishing a task force on elderly and disabled persons residing in public housing	Accompanied a study order, see S2527	Similar To

Bill > H597

MA H597

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (8)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

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