Bill > S105

This bill aims to protect disabled persons from financial exploitation by adding a definition for "financial exploitation" to existing law. Specifically, it amends Chapter 19C of the General Laws to include the phrase "or financial exploitation of a disabled person" after "disabled person" and then defines "financial exploitation" as an act or omission by a caretaker that results in significant monetary or property loss for the disabled person, or significant monetary or property gain for the caretaker that would have otherwise benefited the disabled person. Importantly, this definition excludes acts or omissions where the disabled person knowingly consented, unless that consent was obtained through misrepresentation, undue influence, coercion, or threat of force by the caretaker. The bill also clarifies that it does not prohibit bona fide gifts from a disabled person or apply to practices already declared unlawful under Chapter 93A of the General Laws, which deals with unfair or deceptive trade practices.