LANSING – Continuing her fight to strengthen protections for seniors, House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) voted this week to create the "Mozelle Alert" to notify the public in cases of missing seniors who are in danger, similar to the Amber Alert. The "Mozelle Alert" honors Estella Mozelle Pierce, a senior who died after wandering from her Southwest Detroit home.
"The tragic death of Estella Mozelle Pierce serves as a harsh wake-up call that Michigan needs to do more when it comes to protecting our seniors," Angerer said. "Our seniors deserve to know that the law provides safeguards when they inadvertently put themselves at risk. This legislation will allow the public to help fellow Michigan residents protect their loved ones so we can avoid more senseless tragedies."
The House bill is part of a larger effort by Angerer to strengthen consumer protections for seniors and increase penalties for those who financially exploit them. The Elder Abuse Protection Plan, which the House began moving in August, increases penalties for those who cheat or defraud seniors. It also empowers concerned citizens to file criminal complaints to stop and prevent abuses in nursing homes and elsewhere. The legislation also strengthens consumer protections by requiring financial institutions to do more to disclose the rights of seniors and create new safeguards against fraud.