Senate Bill 15 aims to enhance protections for adults at risk by increasing penalties for crimes committed against them, establishing new procedures for restraining orders, and allowing courts to freeze assets of defendants charged with financial exploitation. The bill reclassifies acts of sexual misconduct against adults at risk from a Class C felony to a Class B felony, regardless of the perpetrator's knowledge of the victim's status. Additionally, it extends existing penalties for physical abuse of elder persons to include adults at risk, and allows for increased prison sentences based on the victim's status as an adult at risk.

The bill also modifies the process for obtaining restraining orders, permitting adults at risk to participate in hearings via telephone or audiovisual means, rather than requiring in-person attendance. Key legal definitions are updated to include "adult at risk," and various sections of the statutes are amended to reflect these changes. The bill emphasizes that penalties can be increased irrespective of whether the defendant was aware of the victim's status, thereby strengthening legal protections for vulnerable individuals.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 343.12(7)(c)9j, 343.12, 813.12(5b), 813.12, 813.123(6g), 813.123, 813.125(5b), 813.125, 911.01(4)(c), 911.01, 939.623(title), 939.623, 939.623(2)(intro.), 939.623(3), 940.198(title), 940.198, 940.198(1)(b), 940.198(2)(a), 940.198(2)(b)