                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION BY AN AGENT; PENALTY (§ 18.2-178.2)

A. As used in this section:
			&#8220;Agent&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7;
64.2-1600.
			&#8220;Financial exploitation&#8221; means the illegal, unauthorized, or
fraudulent use, or deprivation of use, of the property of a vulnerable adult
with the intention of benefiting someone other than the vulnerable adult.
			&#8220;Power of attorney&#8221; means a writing or other record that grants
authority to an agent to act in the place of the principal, whether or not the
term &#8220;power of attorney&#8221; is used.
			&#8220;Principal&#8221; means an individual who grants authority to an agent
in a power of attorney.
			&#8220;Record&#8221; means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium
or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in
perceivable form.
			&#8220;Vulnerable adult&#8221; means the same as that term is defined in
&#xA7; 18.2-369.

B. An agent under a power of attorney who knowingly or intentionally engages in
financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult who is the principal of that agent
is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A violation of this section shall constitute
a separate and distinct offense. If the acts or activities violating this
section also violate another provision of law, a prosecution under this section
shall not prohibit or bar any prosecution or proceeding under such other
provision or the imposition of any penalties provided for thereby.

HISTORY: 2022, cc. 397, 654.