Bill > H756

This bill establishes new legal protections and penalties for unfair and deceptive practices targeting senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Specifically, the bill creates a new Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Abuse Prevention Fund that will receive excess revenues from consumer protection fines, which can be used to develop educational materials and seminars about consumer rights and deceptive practices targeting vulnerable populations. The bill defines "senior citizens" as persons 65 and older and "persons with disabilities" as individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit fundamental life activities. Additionally, the bill allows courts to impose an extra civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation against senior citizens or persons with disabilities, with the penalty amount determined by factors such as whether the defendant knowingly targeted these vulnerable groups, caused significant financial harm (like loss of housing, income, or retirement assets), or exploited the victim's increased vulnerability due to age, health, or disability. The goal of the bill is to provide enhanced legal protections and financial deterrents against predatory practices targeting seniors and disabled individuals.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H756