Assembly Welcomes Senate's Passage
Of Elderly Protection Legislation

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol today welcomed the Senate's decision to pass legislation, already approved by the Assembly, to help curb predatory attacks on New York's elderly.

Citing the type of violence that was witnessed last year with the brutal beating of 101- year-old Rose Morat of Queens, the lawmakers called on the Senate to pass the Assembly's bill 9818 which would help curb predatory attacks by strengthening the penalties for those who perpetrate acts of violence against the elderly. The bill, sponsored by Silver, will increase the penalty for assaulting a person 65 years or older by someone more than 10 years younger from a class A misdemeanor to second-degree assault - a class D violent felony.

"Violent crimes against the elderly are particularly heinous acts of cowardice. I congratulate the Senate for joining the Assembly Majority in safeguarding seniors from harm and addressing the needs that arise from victimization of the elderly," said Silver. "We look forward to the Governor signing this legislation and protecting our senior population."

Unlike the bill introduced by the Senate last year, this bill raises assault against seniors from a class A misdemeanor to a class D violent felony, rather than the lesser charge of an E violent felony. Silver also noted the Senate bill only applied to those 70 years of age or older.

"Protecting vulnerable communities has always been at the top of the Assembly's agenda. I am pleased the Senate agrees that after lifetimes spent working jobs, raising families, paying taxes and serving their communities our seniors deserve all of the respect, protection and assistance this government can provide them," said Silver.

The Assembly passed an elder abuse package earlier in the month to protect the estimated 30,000 seniors in New York who are victims of some sort of abuse or exploitation each year and calls on the Senate to pass those bills as well.