Thursday, July 3, 2003
Gov. Minner Signs Bills to Help Disabled Delawareans and Senior Citizens
Bills Protect Seniors from Consumer Fraud and Improve Signage for Handicapped Parking
Wilmington – Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed two bills on Thursday to help senior citizens and members of the disabled community.
House Bill 168, sponsored by Sen. David Sokola and Rep. Bob Gilligan, increases the penalties for those convicted of consumer fraud when the victim is a senior citizen or disabled person. The legislation enables senior citizens and disabled persons to receive in damages three times the amount they have been defrauded.
“One of the goals I had when I began this session of the General Assembly was to better protect some of the more vulnerable members of our society from becoming the victims of consumer fraud,” Gov. Minner said.
“This is just one more tool in the box to help us make sure we’re protecting all Delawareans, especially those who could be most negatively affected by consumer fraud,” Sen. Sokola said.
Dick Johnson of the Delaware AARP, said his organization appreciated the support in protecting Delaware’s senior citizens.
“This will deter those who defraud senior citizens, who are among those who can least afford it,” Johnson said.
“We’re extremely pleased that this bill has been signed,” said Al Rose of the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council. “People with disabilities can be easy targets for fraud.”
House Bill 172, sponsored by Rep. Deborah Hudson and Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, requires counties and municipalities to adopt regulations governing signage on parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities. This legislation was designed to address concerns from the disabled community that parking spaces reserved for them be clearly marked.
“I am happy to sign into law this bill, which will keep our disabled community from worrying about whether they will be able to easily find a parking space when they go out to eat, shop or run their daily errands,” Gov. Minner said.
Rep. Hudson said the bill will be extremely helpful to members of the disabled community.
“This bill is written in such a way that it can be enforced,” she said.
