House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Better Protect Ohio's Seniors

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives showed bipartisan support Wednesday to Ohio’s elderly population by unanimously passing legislation to protect senior citizens from abuse or neglect by closing a loophole within Ohio's mandatory elder abuse reporting laws.

The legislation, sponsored by Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) and Representative Daniel Troy (D- Willowick), will increase the penalty up to a fourth-degree misdemeanor for mandatory reporters such as, attorneys, doctors, health care professionals, firefighters, peace officers and clergy that fail to report adult abuse. 

“The legislature takes the protection of Ohio’s senior citizens seriously,” said Seitz. “With the increase in penalties associated with this legislation our hope is to get mandatory reporters to take it seriously as well.” 

A fourth-degree misdemeanor can include a jail term of up to 30 days or a fine of no more than $250 along with potential sanctions. 

House Bill 419 will now head to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.