Bill allows video recording of depositions of victims of elder abuse

As Colorado’s population ages, elder abuse is a growing problem for vulnerable seniors. Law enforcement is working hard to address this issue, and I am proud of the work that District Attorney Peter Weir and his dedicated staff are putting in to help protect Jeffco’s senior population.To help law enforcement, policy makers need to equip them with the tools to go after those who exploit the elderly. Physical and financial abuse can be difficult crimes to prosecute, and I am frustrated that so many crimes go unpunished precisely because of the vulnerability of victims.That’s why I have been proud to partner with the DA’s office, along with AARP and other stakeholders, to push legislation this session to fight elder abuse. Because victims of elder abuse may not be well enough or live long enough to testify at trial, their testimony may never be heard. To address this, I am sponsoring HB16-1027, which allows a prosecuting attorney to automatically video record the deposition of victims of elder abuse in order to preserve a victim’s testimony in case they would not be able to testify at the time of trial.This is one step we can take to ensure successful prosecutions of elder abuse crimes. The passage of this bill will protect seniors and help them live safely in their homes, independently. So I am happy to report that the Colorado State House unanimously voted to send my bill to the Senate, where I hope it will also receive strong bipartisan support.If you have any concerns or ideas about how to make state government work better, please don’t hesitate to call me directly or contact my office.Jessie Danielson represents State House District 24, which includes Golden, Wheat Ridge and other areas in Jefferson County. To contact Danielson or learn more, call her cell at 720-276-3468 or visit www.jessiedanielson.com.