Bill > S01015

This bill amends the estates, powers and trusts law to prevent an individual convicted of elder abuse from inheriting from the victim's estate. Specifically, the bill defines several key terms: a "vulnerable elderly person" is someone 60 or older suffering from age-related physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction; a "caregiver" is someone responsible for the care of such a person, either voluntarily or for compensation; and "elder abuse" encompasses various forms of mistreatment including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as active and passive neglect, and financial exploitation. The bill provides detailed definitions for each of these abuse categories, such as defining physical abuse as non-accidental force causing bodily injury, and financial exploitation as improper use of an adult's funds or resources. Under this legislation, if a caregiver is convicted of a crime involving elder abuse against a vulnerable elderly person, they will be legally disqualified from receiving any distributive share of that person's estate. The bill is designed to protect vulnerable elderly individuals from potential financial harm by preventing their abusers from benefiting from their estate after committing a crime against them. The law will take effect 180 days after it becomes law.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1015