Ohio lawmakers and state Attorney General Mike Dewine are promoting legislation to stop the financial exploitation of older Ohioans.

The legislation's goal is to strengthen Ohio's existing adult protective services law to improve the response to cases of elder abuse and encourage more reporting of such abuse.

Dewine says financial abuse of the elderly is growing in Ohio. People like bankers, investment advisors, pharmacists, and health department workers would be required to report signs of abuse.

Experts estimate as many as two million older Americans are abused in various ways each year.