Yes, there is a proposed piece of legislation informally named after Katy Perry. It’s called the PERRY Act, which stands for “Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years.” This proposed law aims to safeguard seniors from potentially exploitative real estate transactions by introducing a 72-hour grace period during which individuals over the age of 75 can rescind agreements to sell their personal residences without penalty. Reddit+7Morning Brew+7House Beautiful+7House Beautiful+2Yahoo+2EW.com+2
Background of the PERRY Act
The inspiration for the PERRY Act stems from a legal dispute involving Katy Perry and her fiancé, Orlando Bloom. In 2020, they entered into a contract to purchase a $15 million mansion in Montecito, California, from Carl Westcott, the 84-year-old founder of 1-800-Flowers. Shortly after the agreement, Westcott attempted to back out, claiming he was under the influence of painkillers following spinal surgery and lacked the mental capacity to consent to the sale. EW.com
Despite Westcott’s claims, a court ruled in favor of Perry and Bloom in November 2023, stating that Westcott did not provide sufficient evidence to prove he lacked the capacity to enter into the contract. People.com
Legislative Efforts and Support
In response to this case, Westcott’s family advocated for the PERRY Act to prevent similar situations in the future. The proposed legislation has garnered bipartisan support from over 30 state and local politicians across the United States. EW.com
Conclusion
While the PERRY Act is not yet law, it represents a significant effort to protect elderly homeowners from potential financial exploitation in real estate transactions. The association of Katy Perry’s name with this proposed legislation highlights the broader implications of high-profile legal disputes and their potential to inspire policy changes.