HR1083 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1083 LRB096 21447 GRL 39213 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The number of people over the age of 60 in the State of Illinois is projected to increase by 87% from 1,966,236 in 2000 to 3,676,295 in 2030 - 1 in every 5 Illinoisans; and

WHEREAS, It has been determined that the elderly population can be vulnerable to abuse, including financial exploitation; and

WHEREAS, The House finds that the State should work in conjunction with the Aging community and financial institutions to protect our elderly citizens (persons 60 or more years of age) from possible financial exploitation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Area Agencies on Aging and Elder Abuse and Neglect Provider Agencies, shall develop a specialized elder abuse training curriculum, in in-person and online versions, to be made available to financial institutions and their trade associations to aid in the training of a variety of financial institution employees and professionals, with the emphasis on tellers and customer service representatives, and on determining the existence of financial exploitation of elderly customers, and that the curriculum should include modules on prevention mechanisms, recognition factors, intervention options, confidentiality, and other legal issues, as well as reporting channels in the event of a determination of suspected financial exploitation of an elderly customer; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Area Agencies on Aging and Elder Abuse and Neglect Provider Agencies, shall develop a specialized roster of qualified professionals available to aid in the training of a variety of financial institution employees and professionals regarding financial exploitation prevention mechanisms, recognition factors, intervention options, confidentiality, and other legal issues, as well as reporting channels in the event of suspected financial exploitation of an elderly customer; and be it further

RESOLVED, That financial institutions direct their customer contact staff to utilize the above training and inform them about the use of consumer information and readily-available tips on recognizing, deterring, and reporting suspected financial abuse; and be it further

RESOLVED, That two years after the training materials are made available, the Department on Aging shall undertake a study of reports of suspected financial exploitation of the elderly made during the immediate prior year, an analysis of trends, and the development of statistical data regarding reports that were made by depository institutions to the Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Program, and recommendations regarding financial abuse of the elderly in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, as part of its examination of Illinois-chartered financial institutions, shall record the overall participation by financial institutions in the on-line or in-person training provided by the Department on Aging, participation in the B*SAFE program, the usage of posters, handouts, and materials intended for use by direct customer contact staff, other training offered at or by each financial institution, and the total number of cases of financial exploitation reported to the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program and law enforcement; the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall submit a report of its findings to the Illinois General Assembly starting January 1, 2011, and annually thereafter; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the Director of the Department on Aging and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.