SENATOR CARMEN F. AMATO, JR. | ASSEMBLYMAN BRIAN E. RUMPF | ASSEMBLYMAN GREG MYHRE
Senate Passes Amato-Rumpf-Myhre Bill to Create Offense of Elderly Financial Exploitation
The New Jersey Senate unanimously passed legislation, S-1887, introduced by Senator Carmen Amato, which would create a new theft offense referred to as “financial exploitation of the elderly.” Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre have introduced, A-4593, the Assembly companion legislation.
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement following passage of their legislative initiative to protect the elderly:
“Individuals who commit elder fraud and prey upon the society’s most vulnerable persons must be held accountable under the law.
“To be effectively applied by the courts, our legislation is specific in that those persons protected would include any person who is 60 years of age or older and is suffering from either a disease or infirmity associated with advanced age, or a mental disease.
“Further, our legislation’s provisions would apply to circumstances when a person in a position of trust compels or induces an ‘elderly person’ to deliver property to the person in a position of trust or to a third person by means of fraud, false promise, extortion or intimidation. Persons in a position of trust would include, but not be limited to, a person who has a fiduciary obligation to an elderly person or who receives monetary or other valuable consideration for providing care for the elderly person.
“Establishing this new offense under State law would empower law enforcement and the courts to bring to justice those found guilty of scamming vulnerable elderly persons out of their money or possessions.”
Under the delegation’s legislation, the theft offense of financial exploitation of an elderly person would be graded as a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, if the amount involved is less than $200.
When the amount involved is at least $200 but does not exceed $75,000, it would be graded as a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
A theft involving an amount over $75,000, would continue to be graded as a crime of the second degree, punishable by a fine of up to $150,000, a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, or both, as it is currently.
Presently, A-4593 is awaiting consideration by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.
Volunteer Emergency Squads Would Get Utility Assistance Under Amato, Rumpf & Myhre Proposal
Senator Carmen Amato, Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre (R-9) announced they will be introducing legislation that would require a public utility to charge a volunteer emergency service organization a residential rate for service delivered to the organization’s primary property. This would only take effect if the residential rate is lower than the commercial rate for the service at that property.
“Volunteer emergency service organization” is defined under the Delegation's legislative proposal as an organization that relies on volunteer members to provide emergency services, including, but not limited to, fire department, first aid, emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad services."
The 9th District Legislators issued the following joint statement regarding their legislative proposal:
“Volunteer emergency service squads provide critical services to our communities and therefore deserve the full backing of the State."
“Paying reduced utility bills would free up funding for squads to enhance the services that they provide."
“Notably, we want to thank Chief George Dohn of the Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company for his invaluable expertise in bringing this issue to our attention."
“Our Delegation remains committed to supporting our volunteer emergency personnel and will work to advance legislative initiatives which allow these organizations to operate more effectively and also improve their dedicated members’ quality of life.”
The 9th District Delegation has also introduced legislation (S-3806/A-4958) to exempt volunteer fire companies, emergency service providers, and veteran organizations from paying registration filing fees under the State’s “Charitable Registration and Investigation Act.”
The Delegation additionally introduced legislation (SCR-106/ACR-136) to provide a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad member who dies in the line of duty. The exemption would include the surviving spouses of both paid and volunteer firefighters and first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad members.
Amato, Rumpf and Myhre have also all joined as co-sponsors on companion legislation, S-2386 and A-3532, which would establish a refundable gross income tax credit to provide reimbursement to active members of volunteer fire departments and first aid squads for the use of their personal vehicle in the performance of active duty. The companion bills were introduced by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Margie Donlon M.D., respectively.
Amato, Rumpf & Myhre Statement on Drone Sightings in New Jersey
“Members of our Legislative Delegation attended a meeting held for state legislators during which a briefing was provided by the NJ State Police and the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness regarding the recent reports of drones flying in the state.
“Our Delegation issued a letter to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness requesting any information on the drone situation for the purpose of responding to alarmed constituents who rightfully want answers.
“While the professionalism of law enforcement agencies was on full display at the meeting this morning, regretfully no definitive answers were provided regarding the operations of the drones in question. It was emphasized that, at this time, there was no known and credible threat. The New Jersey State Police has been working around the clock on the situation for more than three weeks. It is difficult to detect a drone, and that manned aircraft have been reported as drones, inflating the number of sightings. Additionally, it is a federal crime to shoot down a drone.
“To that end, it is evident that national intelligence agencies must utilize their tremendous resources to deepen coordination with state and local enforcement. This is especially critical and timely when considering the increasing scope of drone sightings, the locations in question and sheer lack of information as to the drones’ purpose, whatever that may be. Last but not least, the state must be more responsive in addressing growing public alarm.
“Consistent with our actions to date, our Delegation will continue to work with the state and law enforcement on getting answers about the drone situation, including any actions that are taken in the interest of public safety and or national security should it be determined that the situation has risen to that level.
“Anyone with information about the drones is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov."