LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today unanimously passed a plan sponsored by State Representatives Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) and Dian Slavens (D-Canton) that will create the "Mozelle Alert" to notify the public in cases of missing seniors, similar to the Amber Alert. The "Mozelle Alert" is named in honor of Estella Mozelle Pierce, a senior who died after wandering from her Southwest Detroit home.
"The tragic case of Estella Mozelle Pierce shows how much of a need there is for these strong protections for our seniors," said Meadows, a sponsor of the plan. "As someone who had a similar experience in my family, I know firsthand how important a program like this can be for families. More than five million Americans suffer from dementia, and with an Amber Alert-style program, we can keep our loved ones safe."
The House plan, which now heads to the Senate, is part of a larger effort 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 and empowers concerned citizens to file criminal complaints to stop and prevent abuse cases in nursing homes and elsewhere. The plan also strengthens consumer protections by requiring financial institutions to do more to disclose the rights of seniors and create new safeguards against fraud.
"Elder abuse is a heinous and underreported crime, and we need a plan to stop it," said Slavens, Vice Chair of the House Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committee. "As a health care professional for more than 20 years, I know more must be done in order to protect Michigan's seniors and keep them out of harm's way. Our seniors worked hard all of their lives to provide for their families and they deserve our support. This plan will add the new protections we need to safeguard our loved ones."