House tightens penalties for financial exploitation of older adults, mandates restitution

Representative Edgar Robles Rivera, the bill’s sponsor, told the House that Proyecto de la Cámara 180 closes a gap in the penal code and strengthens protections for older adults facing financial exploitation. On April 22 Robles said the measure increases penalties and requires mandatory restitution in all cases of financial exploitation of persons of advanced age.

Robles said the bill had the backing of legislative services, the Bar Association, the Office of the Advocate for Older Persons and other agencies. “This project responds to a reality that we cannot ignore; each time there are more cases of abuse, deception and fraud,” he said, arguing the measure is both punitive and protective.

Representative Vargas (co‑author) expressed support on the floor, calling the bill a deterrent and saying it recognizes the vulnerability of many older Puerto Ricans, including abuse by relatives in some reported cases.

The House approved the bill as amended; the final roll‑call tally recorded 46 votes in favor, 0 against. The measure requires restitution in addition to any custodial sentence; committee testimony and floor remarks repeatedly framed the change as filling a statutory gap and sending a message that exploitation will not be tolerated.

Ending: Proyecto de la Cámara 180 passed the House unanimously in recorded final vote and will proceed to the Senate. The House record indicates mandatory restitution will be part of sentencing for the covered offenses; further implementing details will depend on statutory drafting and future judicial sentencing practice.