The bill amends Chapter 708 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishing that financial exploitation by caregivers will be classified as a class A felony. This is significant as it enhances legal protections for vulnerable adults and holds caregivers accountable for actions that could deprive these individuals of their financial resources. With this change, it is anticipated that the bill will contribute to a decrease in instances of financial abuse, as the penalties associated with such actions become more severe.
SB694 seeks to address the growing concern of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults by caregivers in Hawaii. The bill defines vulnerable adults as individuals who, due to various impairments, cannot manage their own care or resources. This legislation aims to protect these individuals from financial exploitation, which can occur through deception, coercion, or manipulation by caregivers who hold positions of trust.
Notably, the need for this bill arises from statistics indicating that financial exploitation of vulnerable adults is under-reported, with only a small fraction of cases officially documented. Critics may argue about the potential implications of criminalizing certain caregiving actions or the burden placed on caregivers to fully comply with stringent financial oversight. However, supporters emphasize the necessity of protecting vulnerable populations from those who may take advantage of their trust.