Wright’s bipartisan bill to protect seniors heads to Senate

INDIANAPOLIS – Yesterday, a bipartisan bill from Rep. Melanie Wright (D-Yorktown) that would protect Hoosier seniors passed the House with bipartisan support.

House Bill 1600 would require the Legislative Council to assign an interim committee to study the assignment of guardians and the protection of assets for seniors receiving care.

Wright authored the bill after hearing from her constituent, Pam Douglas, who called Wright to prevent the mismanagement of financial assets that happened to her mother by her power of attorney from happening to other seniors across Indiana.

“I’m excited that this bill gained bipartisan support, passed the House, and is headed to the Senate for consideration,” said Wright. “As our baby boomers age, we're going to have more people in these vulnerable situations. We need to take a serious look at family guardians and see what can be done to protect our seniors from people who might try to take advantage of them and their financial assets.”

Pam Douglas, a resident of House District 35 said, “I am so grateful for a representative in the Statehouse like Melanie Wright, who listens to her constituents and then takes action. From when I first called her office, Rep. Wright was engaged, thoughtful, and ready to help. I couldn’t help my mother in her situation but this gives me peace of mind that we might be able to help prevent other seniors from being misled and taken advantage of when it comes to their finances.”

The bill is co-authored by Rep. David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis), chairman of the Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee where the bill initially passed out with a vote of 12-0; Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis); and Rep. John Young (R-Franklin). The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.