The Georgia House of Representatives recently gave final passage to House Bill 221, the Uniform Power of Attorney Act, sponsored by State Representative Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula). The bill was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and will now go to Governor Nathan Deal for consideration.

“The Uniform Power of Attorney Act provides a much-needed update to Georgia’s power of attorney statute,” said Rep. Efstration. “The bill allows protections for individuals who grant the power of attorney while also giving clarification for responsible caregivers and financial institutions.”

Supporters of HB 221 include Director Vernon Keenan of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association and AARP Georgia.

“The passage of House Bill 221, Uniform Power of Attorney Act, will give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools necessary to address individuals who are using the power of attorney to exploit elderly and disabled persons,” said Keenan. “A power of attorney should not be used as a license to steal.”

“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people with dementia that we serve in Georgia, we want to thank Representative Chuck Efstration and the General Assembly for hearing our voices and passing the Uniform Power of Attorney Act,” said Leslie Gregory, CEO and president of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Georgia Chapter. “We strongly believe this policy will improve the quality of life and provide a stronger measure of safety for those with the disease, their caregivers and families.”