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An Act To Protect Older Adults from Financial Exploitation
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  senior citizens are often the targets of fraudulent and exploitive financial schemes; and
Whereas,  personal financial management assistance for those senior citizens who are no longer able to manage their finances could decrease the number of senior citizens who are taken advantage of financially and allow them to continue to live independently; and
Whereas,  this legislation provides such assistance and needs to take effect as soon as possible to prevent further abuse; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §5114, sub-§2, ¶¶F and G as enacted by PL 1973, c. 630, §1, are amended to read:
 
F. Services designed to assist older persons in avoiding institutionalization, including evaluation and screening and home health services; or
 
G. Any other services; if such services are necessary for the general well-being of older persons.; or
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §5114, sub-§2, ¶H  is enacted to read:
 
H.  Services designed to assist older persons with maintaining their financial independence and avoiding financial exploitation, including personal financial management assistance.
Sec. 3. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF (FORMERLY DHS)
 
Office of Aging and Disability Services Central Office 0140
 
Initiative: Provides funding to support personal financial management assistance programs for senior citizens.

GENERAL FUND	2015-16	2016-17	
All Other	$75,000	$75,000	
			
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$75,000	$75,000	
 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.