This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
WASHINGTON - Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, introduced a bill on Tuesday to increase detection, prevention and prosecution of elder abuse.
The Elder Justice Act, sponsored by Hatch and three other senators, also would help assist victims of crimes against seniors and dole out grants to law enforcement to deal with elder abuse.
“Thousands of cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation go unaddressed each day,” Hatch said in a statement. “This bill will give much-needed attention and resources to fighting these crimes and providing seniors the protections they need to live safely and securely.”
Hatch's office says the bill is “designed to create a national focus on elder abuse,” and is endorsed by the Elder Justice Coalition, a national group devoted to eliminating elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- Thomas Burr
