RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia lawmakers will once again consider legislation targeting the financial exploitation of the elderly and mentally incapacitated.

Legislation on that issue has failed several years in a row. But the prospects are brighter in 2013 because the measure comes with the backing of the Virginia State Crime Commission.

The commission's staff reviewed the issue over the past year and is supporting a new statute addressing the problem when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

Commission chairman Del. Rob Bell says the law will make it a crime if someone knows a person is mentally incapacitated and uses that condition to take something from them. Under current law, prosecuting such behavior can be difficult if the victim has given consent for the transaction.