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HB 2120

Vulnerable adults; seizure of property used in connection with financial exploitation, etc.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Glass and 3 co-sponsors

Virginia now authorizes seizure and forfeiture of property used in financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, enabling faster asset recovery to protect elderly and disabled victims.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0160)
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Bill Summary · HB 2120

Legislative bill overview

HB 2120 authorizes Virginia law enforcement to seize property used in financial exploitation of vulnerable adults and allows courts to order forfeiture of such property. The bill expands civil asset forfeiture provisions to specifically address financial crimes targeting elderly and dependent individuals, creating a new tool for prosecutors to disrupt exploitation schemes.

Why is this important

Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults—including elderly individuals and those with disabilities—costs victims thousands of dollars annually and often goes unprosecuted due to difficulty proving intent or securing restitution. This law provides law enforcement an additional mechanism to recover assets and deter predatory behavior by enabling seizure before conviction in some cases, potentially returning funds to victims more quickly than traditional criminal prosecution alone.

Potential points of contention

  • Civil forfeiture concerns: Expanding civil asset forfeiture—where property can be seized without criminal conviction—raises due process concerns and risks of abuse, particularly regarding burden of proof and owner rights to challenge seizure
  • Definition of "vulnerable adults": The scope of who qualifies as vulnerable (elderly, disabled, dependent) may be broadly interpreted, potentially affecting property seizure decisions inconsistently across jurisdictions
  • Prosecutorial discretion: Without clear guardrails, prosecutors have significant discretion determining which financial exploitation cases warrant property seizure, risking selective enforcement based on case visibility or victim status

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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