Nevada Assembly Getting Tough on Elder Financial Abuse - Passes Bill Requiring Banks to Spot Elder Abuse

CARSON CITY,NEVADA The state Assembly has passed a bill that would require banks to train employees to spot elder abuse.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie sponsored the elder abuse bill, which was amended after banks protested that it could make criminals of tellers.

The bill, now moving to the Senate for final action, requires a training course for tellers, and mandates that banks appoint a manager to review suspected cases of abuse. Civil penalties are imposed if suspected abuse is not reported.

Leslie says the bill is particularly important given the sentencing last week of a Sparks man who depleted 250-thousand dollars from a 91-year-old woman's life savings.