Senator Anthony asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Anthony’s statement is as follows:
I rise to uplift the significance of this bill as well as the entire package to protect our most vulnerable adults and seniors. This issue is something I know we all care about and want to fight for. I’ve been sounding the alarm on this issue since the early days of my elected service in this Capitol back when I served in the House in 2018, and I wish I could say that the problem has gotten better, but unfortunately it has not.
Year after year we have heard the stories of men and women across the state, and the heartbreak continues. We hear from seniors who have spent their entire lives working hard, saving diligently, hoping for a retirement filled with peace and security, only to have their savings stolen by someone they trusted. We’ve heard from those who have devoted themselves to raising families and caring for their communities, only to be met with neglect and mistreatment when their own health begins to decline. This isn’t just about policy; it’s very personal. These are our parents and grandparents, our neighbors, and our mentors; the very people who raised us, who taught us, and built our communities. Right now, too many of them are being targeted by scams, fraud, and financial predators who seek out vulnerability as an opportunity. That’s why we’ve reintroduced this critical bill package time and time again.
Now, it’s long overdue that our state and communities have the tools they need to better protect our seniors and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It’s about creating a system that doesn’t just respond to abuse but actively prevents it. It’s more important than ever as our seniors and most vulnerable are seeing federal programs and resources slashed. This is one way we can tell our seniors, We see you, we value you, and we are fighting for you.
I urge a “yes” vote so that we can stand up for our most vulnerable populations.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 113, entitled
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending section 174a (MCL 750.174a), as amended by 2013 PA 34.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: