Bill Passed By Oklahoma Legislature To Protect Elderly

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A bill offering additional protections for elderly Oklahomans is approved by the state House Tuesday and sent to the governor.<br/><br/>The measure increases the punishment for those

Tuesday, May 23rd 2006, 3:07 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A bill offering additional protections for elderly Oklahomans is approved by the state House Tuesday and sent to the governor.

The measure increases the punishment for those who victimize Oklahomans 62 years old or older.

Victimization in the bill includes theft of property, assets or funds. If the theft is of more than $100,000 it would be considered a felony and punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine upon conviction.

If the theft is for less than $100,000, the crime would still be a felony and punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The bill also allows for prosecution up to five years after the crime is discovered. It passed the state House without opposition.