If there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching the Florida Legislature, it’s this: when a bill sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Take CS/SB 106, for example — a bill with a noble-sounding title: “Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults.” Who could oppose that? We all want to protect the elderly from scams and abuse.
But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find something far more sinister: a dangerous shift of power, a blow to civil liberties, and a new pathway to state-sanctioned exploitation — all dressed up as “protection.”
The Real Solution Already Exists
Let’s start with what actually works.
Yes, people of all ages can fall victim to scams, whether it’s a shady business deal or a manipulative relationship. But Florida already passed a common sense solution in 2024 — supportive decision-making.
This legal tool allows individuals to appoint trusted family members or friends as their power of attorney or healthcare surrogate. These advocates can step in if financial red flags arise — without the government stripping anyone of their rights.
Even Governor Ron DeSantis supported this approach to prevent unnecessary guardianships. So why is Tallahassee now pushing a law that does the opposite?
What CS/SB 106 Really Does
CS/SB 106 gives sweeping power to the last people you’d want controlling your money: bankers and probate attorneys.
Under this bill, complete strangers — not your family, not someone you chose — can freeze your assets if they suspect you’re mismanaging funds.
And here’s the kicker: they can serve legal notices through TikTok and Facebook screenshots.
Let that sink in: Social media screenshots can now be used to “notify” your family before a court takes control of your money. If your family doesn’t see the post or respond within 30 days?
Game over. Forced guardianship begins.
A Chilling Scenario
Picture this: A grandmother sends money to her grandkids in another state. A bank flags the transaction. Suddenly, she’s accused of being exploited. Her account is frozen. Her family is “notified” via a Facebook DM or TikTok message they never see. A judge is handed a few screenshots. Her assets? Seized. Her rights? Gone. Her future? Controlled by a court-appointed guardian.
And you thought your social media was just for cat videos.
A Law That Can — and Will — Be Weaponized
During debate on the bill, one brave lawmaker pointed out the obvious double standard: people of all ages get scammed.
He even shared how he was conned by a woman in his youth — so why is this law only targeting older adults?
Then he asked the question no one wanted to answer: If probate attorneys can now serve legal documents via TikTok, what’s stopping every attorney in Florida from doing the same?
The room exploded. And privately? Several lawmakers admitted: he had a point.
But they passed the bill anyway.
First Maya. Now This.
Earlier this week, we shared the heartbreaking case behind Take Care of Maya, the Netflix documentary that exposed how a Florida family was torn apart by the state’s guardianship system — a corrupt web of hospitals, attorneys, and courts that hijacked parental rights and shattered lives.
That story should have been a wake-up call for Tallahassee.
Instead, lawmakers hit snooze — and doubled down.
CS/SB 106 is not a fix. It’s a fresh coat of paint on the same broken Guardianship machine that Tallahassee uses to exploit us.
A system that says “we know what’s best” while robbing citizens of their basic freedoms — all behind closed doors.
It’s time to call it what it is: state-sanctioned abuse.
What You Can Do
If you’re over 60 — or love someone who is — now is the time to act.
📞 Call your state representative. Call the Governor’s office.
Ask them: “What the hell were you thinking?”
And more importantly: “What are you going to do to fix it?”
If they do nothing, make a note:
At election time, rally your friends — all your “elderly” friends — and make sure these lawmakers never sit at the political table again.
Florida seniors built this state. They deserve protection — not betrayal.
