| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Positive |
Relating to creating the criminal offense of financial abuse of an elderly individual.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1156 would make the knowing financial abuse of an elderly individual a criminal offense. Financial abuse would be defined as the wrongful taking, retention, or use of money or property of the elderly person. The offense would be punishable by any category from a Class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony depending on the total value of the misused property.
Texas Action supports HB 1156 because which is in alignment with our individual liberty and limited government principles. A separate criminal offense for the financial abuse of an elderly individual would help keep abusers accountable. The language in HB 1156 is sufficiently narrow to avoid penalizing non-criminal behavior.