Bill Lockyer...On the Record for Seniors

By Bill Lockyer

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After being sworn in as Attorney General in 1999, Lockyer immediately expanded the mission of the Department of Justice to include protecting the state's elderly from abuse. The Department's Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud was given the added responsibility of preventing and prosecuting elder abuse. And Lockyer secured funding for dozens of new agents to uncover and punish those who victimize the elderly.

Attorney General Lockyer filed and won the state's first-ever criminal and civil prosecutions against nursing homes who abused the elderly.

Lockyer established "Operation Guardians," a program of surprise inspections at nursing homes and residential care facilities throughout California to ensure compliance with state standards of care and safety. He also created a training curriculum for care providers who are required to report incidents of elder abuse.

While in the State Senate, Bill Lockyer recognizes elder abuse as a significant and underreported problem, and he found that the current system is wholly inadequate to meet the needs of older Californians who are in danger of physical abuse, financial exploitation, neglect or abandonment. He has a plan to protect seniors from these abuses. His bill to prevent and protect seniors from elder abuse, SB 2199, is currently under consideration in the State Legislature.

For more than 20 years in the Legislature Lockyer drafted and enacted a wide range of measures to strengthen penalties for crimes against the vulnerable in our society. In 1986, he provided sentence enhancements for crimes or attempted crimes against disabled victims. In 1990, Lockyer wrote a law that expanded the definition of elder abuse to include the use of physical or chemical restraints or psychotropic medication.

Lockyer's office has shut down and prosecuted dozens of illegal Medi-Cal fraud rings. As a result, tens of millions of dollars have been returned to the state's general fund.

California AARP gave Lockyer their top award for his work to prevent elder abuse and punish abusers.

Stopping Scams Targeting the Elderly

·Attorney General Lockyer sued Publishers Clearing House to prohibit Publishers Clearing House from sending deceptive mailings and engaging in unfair business practices that fraudulently lure Californians into buying magazines, collectibles and other goods with the mistaken belief that they are improving their chances of becoming an instant millionaire. California reached a settlement with Publishers Clearing House that required the company to refund over $16 million to certain customers and make dramatic changes in what it tells consumers about their chances of winning.

·Lockyer was the sponsor of California's landmark "Do Not Call" law, which gives consumers the power to protect their home and families from telemarketing harassment. The Department of Justice will compile the list, scheduled to be available next year.

While in the State Senate, Bill Lockyer authored and helped craft laws making it easier to prosecute and punish scam artists who prey on seniors, as well as crooks that rip off consumers or commit crimes against women and children.

Equitable Tax Relief

Lockyer worked to ensure that seniors could benefit from the 1997 tax relief law that provides capital gains tax relief when consumers sell a house and move to a home of lesser value.

Lockyer understood the impetus behind the taxpayers' revolt of 1978, which led to the passage of Proposition 13. Lockyer has been a vocal advocate for property tax adjustments by a formula less advantageous to large corporate property holders, he worked to ensure the benefits of the initiative accrued to families and small businesses.

To ensure access to essential services for the aged, blind and disabled, Senator Lockyer wrote a law guaranteeing an annual cost of living increase for recipients for SSI/SSP to protect them from erosion of their grant purchasing power.