House Bill 78, the Elder Protection Modernization Act, passed the House and heads to the Senate. It adds sexual assault as a crime against the elderly and expands the list of medical professionals and caregivers who must report suspected abuse to state authorities.
At the same time, the Senate voted 52-1 on Senate Bill 170 to make medical-identity theft a felony. The Senate had passed similar bills in each of the two previous terms but both picked up amendments in the House that led to their veto.
“Maybe the third time is the charm,” said sponsor Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta.








