SB29 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Crimes and offenses, creating the crimes of elder abuse and neglect and financial exploitation of an elderly person in the first, second, and third degree

Summary

SB29 creates criminal offenses for elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of elderly people, with defined degrees and penalties.

What This Bill Does

Creates elder abuse and neglect crimes in the first, second, and third degrees with escalating penalties. It also creates financial exploitation crimes for elderly people, with penalties based on the money involved: first degree >$2,500 (Class B felony), second degree $500–$2,500 (Class C felony), and third degree up to $500 (Class A misdemeanor). The bill defines key terms (elderly person, caregiver, deception, undue influence, etc.), sets venue and a seven-year statute of limitations, provides civil immunity for reporters/investigators (with certain exceptions), includes a physician exemption, and specifies an effective date.

Who It Affects

• Elderly persons (60+) who could be victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation and are protected by the new offenses and penalties.
• Caregivers and other individuals who care for elderly people (including family members, guardians, conservators, or agents under a power of attorney) who could be charged with elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation under the new offenses.

Key Provisions

• Creates elder abuse and neglect in first degree: intentional abuse or neglect causing serious physical injury; Class A felony.
• Creates elder abuse and neglect in second degree: (1) intentional abuse/neglect causing physical injury; (2) reckless abuse/neglect causing serious physical injury; (3) reckless abuse/neglect or emotional abuse for someone previously convicted of elder abuse/neglect in third degree; Class B felony.
• Creates elder abuse and neglect in third degree: reckless abuse/neglect causing physical injury or reckless emotional abuse; Class A misdemeanor.
• Creates financial exploitation of an elderly person in first degree: value taken exceeds $2,500; Class B felony.
• Creates financial exploitation of an elderly person in second degree: value taken >$500 and ≤ $2,500; Class C felony.
• Creates financial exploitation of an elderly person in third degree: value taken ≤ $500; Class A misdemeanor.
• Prosecution may be in any county where part of the crime occurred; seven-year statute of limitations; not a defense that the victim was not elderly.
• Civil immunity for those reporting or investigating, unless actions were reckless, in bad faith, or malicious.
• Physician exemption: licensed physicians are not subject to these elder abuse/neglect provisions when practicing medicine.
• Defines key terms: caregiver, deception, elderly person (60+), emotional abuse, financial exploitation, intimidation, neglect, undue influence.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses