                                 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.