Seniors honor Assemblywoman for championing elder issues

Group recognizes Wolk’s legislation on Elder Abuse prevention and veteran’s health care

Wolk was presented with two plaques--one for Assembly Bill 2474, the other for Assembly Joint Resolution 71—by California Senior Legislature (CSL) members representing Solano County, Senior Senator Richard Lundin and Senior Assemblywoman Sharon Monck. Founded in 1981, the CSL is a nonpartisan, volunteer organization of 120 elected members that mirrors the legislature's structure and intent. Members propose and advocate legislation important to seniors at state and federal levels.

The CSL honored Wolk, said Lundin, "because of her contribution to senior legislation and furtherance of the senior movement in California. She has that much interest in senior's interests, in the future of Californians. I thank Lois from the bottom of my heart."

Last year the State Legislature passed AJR 71 requesting the President and Congress of the United States to enact appropriate legislation to provide a guaranteed level of funding for veterans health care, and to restore medical benefits eligibility for veterans in Priority Group 8. The measure also urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to seek out eligible veterans to provide them with benefits information.

AB 2474, which failed passage in last year's session, would have required financial institutions to report financial abuse of elder and dependent adults. Banks, savings and loans, and other financial institutions teamed up with Republicans in the State Senate to kill legislation sponsored by District Attorneys that would require banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to report known or suspected cases of elder financial abuse to law enforcement.

Wolk, joined by Assembly and Senate coauthors, will be reintroducing the Elder Financial Abuse bill this session.

"It will take a concerted effort to move this bill through the Legislature," said Assemblywoman Wolk. "But our support is growing, and we look forward to working with senior advocates and law enforcement to crack down on those who take advantage of our elderly citizens."