Gov. Jack Markell looks on as Sen. Bethany Hall-Long talks about a bill increasing criminal penalties for people who victimize senior citizens or the handicapped during a bill signing ceremony at the MOT Senior Center. Hall-Long was the lead Senate sposor of the law, which was written by House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear.

People who try to take advantage of senior citizens or the handicapped will face stiffer penalties under a new state law.

The law, sponsored by House Majority Whip Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, and Sen. Bethany Hall-Long, D-Middletown, ratchets up the criminal penalites for about 50 different crimes -- if they're committed against seniors or the handicapped. In some cases, misdemeanors become felonies and felony sentences are lengthened.

"Hopefully, those who would take advantage of someone would think twice before taking action, now that these are felonies," Hall-Long said. "In addition, I think that seniors and others who are covered by this law and are abused would be more willing to talk to the attorney general's office as they learn these tougher penalties are in place."

Attorney General Joseph "Beau" Biden III supported the lawmakers in their effort and said the new law gives him a powerful new tool to use against people who bilk and abuse the elederly and handicapped.

"We need to protect the most vulnerable among us," Biden said. "For every one case of abuse that's reported, five go unreported but this new law will help us more effectively prosecute those cases."

Sen. Bethany Hall-Long talks about Delaware's new prescription monitoring law outside the emergency department at Christiana Hospital as Dr. Nicholas Biasotto, president of the Medical Society of Delaware, looks on.

Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation that will help cut down on prescription drug abuse by people who go to multiple doctors to get prescriptions for the same drugs.

Sen. Bethany Hall-Long, D-Middletown, was one of the primary backers of the bill -- which strikes a balance between combatting the practice, better-known as "doctor shopping," and making sure that patients still have access to drugs they legitimately need to treat a variety of conditions.

"It's a very serious issue and something that, with this law, we can really start to make a dent in here in Delaware," Hall-Long said. "This program is going to be essential  to protect the public from doctor shopping and to prived increased education to physicians and nurse practioners who prescribe these medications so that, when a patient comes and there is a suspicion, they can make the right decisions."

Delaware's law is limited to tracking highly addicitive painkillers, stimulatns and depressants. It also provides strong safeguards to protect patient privacy while still ensuring medical professionals and law enforcement have access to information they need.

Delaware is the 43rd state to enact a prescription moniotring program and Gil Kerkikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the First State learned the lessons of the earlier programs to craft a well-balanced plan.

"You have the perfect blend of being able to use the public health services and the perfect blend of being able to use the enforcement side," he said. "Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of accidental death in this country and it's something that's not getting enough recognition. That's why I'm really so impressed that you are taking this on in such a marked way."

(L-R, Lt. Governor Matt Denn, Dr. MaryAnn McClane, Senator Bethany Hall-Long)

Lt. Gov Denn and Bethany present H Dr MaryAnn McClane with a Senate Tribute on January 26, 2010, recognizing her as the 75th President of the US American Clinical Technology Society. Dr. McClane is the first President from the state of Delaware and a University of Delaware Professor of Medical Technology