(Radio Iowa) – Elder abuse will be defined as a crime in Iowa when a new law takes effect July 1st. Governor Reynolds has approved a bill that creates new criminal  penalties for emotional abuse and neglect of Iowans who are 60 or older.  “The safety and well being of older Iowans is so very important,” Reynolds said, “and this bill ensures that there will be consequences for those who target and harm them.” The bill establishes a new criminal charge of financial exploitation of an older individual.

“Abuse doesn’t always mean physical. It can also mean financial crimes,” Reynolds said, “and this bill also establishes criminal penalties for those that target individuals for that purpose.” The governor held a bill signing ceremony at a senior living center in Williamsburg.

These changes have been a top priority for A-A-R-P for several years and the bill passed the House and Senate this year unanimously. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, as many as two million Americans above the age of 65 have been abused and about 60 percent of elder abuse is committed by a relative of the victim.