10/26/2025
Shevrin Jones Bill Targets Elder Fraud After Regina Hill Scandal
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After the high-profile case of suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, accused of exploiting a 96-year-old woman and seizing control of her property and finances, Florida lawmakers are moving to crack down on elder fraud and real estate exploitation.
Sen. Shevrin Jones (D–Miami Gardens) has filed SB 116, a sweeping proposal designed to prevent the kind of elder abuse and property theft allegations that shocked Orlando and embarrassed City Hall.
Hill, who remains under multiple felony indictments, is accused of gaining access to the elderly woman’s bank accounts, using her credit cards, and transferring ownership of her home into Hill’s name while the victim was under her care. The case triggered statewide outrage — and renewed scrutiny of how easily vulnerable seniors can be defrauded through deed manipulation and financial exploitation.
Jones’ bill directly addresses these loopholes.
Under SB 116, new safeguards would make it harder for bad actors to take ownership of property or assets from elderly or vulnerable Floridians:
• Two independent witnesses would be required for any property deed transfer. They must be over 18, mentally competent, and have no financial interest in the transaction.
• A mandatory 72-hour “cooling-off” period would apply before any deed or conveyance could be officially recorded.
• Clerks of Court would be required to report suspected abuse or exploitation of vulnerable adults to the state’s abuse hotline.
The measure also allows seniors to designate a “trusted person” to be notified before a property transfer becomes final. If that person objects, another 72-hour delay is triggered, and the case is referred to a nonprofit legal aid organization to investigate whether fraud or coercion was involved.
If the legal aid group or Clerk suspects wrongdoing, they must refer the matter to the State Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, Americans over 60 reported $3.4 billion in losses due to scams in 2023 — up 11% from the previous year. Florida ranked second nationwide for total complaints and losses, with seniors here losing more than $180 million.
Jones said the goal is simple: protect seniors before the damage is done.
The legislation also mandates plain-language educational materials in every Clerk’s office by October 1, 2027, detailing how older adults can safeguard their property. Clerk employees would receive new training on identifying and reporting potential exploitation cases.
If passed, the law would take effect July 1, 2026, marking a significant step toward closing the loopholes that allowed cases like Regina Hill’s to happen in the first place.
