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New Financial Penalties Proposed for Crimes Against Seniors in Delaware

 

       DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Senate is eyeing a bill that would establish a new financial penalty for crimes against senior citizens in order to raise money to fund programs aimed at helping seniors.

     The bill passed the House in January and the Senate is expected to consider it on Tuesday.

     The legislation creates an additional penalty of $100 for crimes committed against people who are 62 years old or older.

     The money would go into a trust fund administered by the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities and used to help pay for new or expanded programs for seniors.

     Supporters of the measure say crimes against seniors have risen in recent years, while funding for senior programs has decreased.

 

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.