At the request of its securities regulators, New Hampshire has enacted a
law that will take effect on Sept. 8, intended to protect vulnerable
adults from financial exploitation.
The law will allow registered representatives and investment advisers
to delay a disbursement of funds from an investment account for a
limited time if they reasonably believe it could result in the financial
exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
The state's Bureau of Securities Regulation said New Hampshire law
defines "vulnerable" to mean that the "physical, mental, or emotional
ability of a person is such that he or she cannot manage personal, home,
or financial affairs in his or her best interest, or that he or she
cannot act or cannot delegate responsibility to a responsible caretaker
or caregiver."
Regulators said that if an investment firm or its representative
delays the disbursement of client funds due to a reasonable suspicion of
financial exploitation, the firm or individual must follow certain
procedures. This includes notifying the Bureau, notifying affected
parties (except for parties believed to have engaged in the
exploitation), and reviewing the proposed disbursement.
"With New Hampshire having the second oldest average age in the country
and with the increasing numbers of baby boomers approaching or in
retirement, it is particularly important to protect an aging
population," said Barry Glennon, the state's head securities regulator.
Full Article & Source:
New Hampshire law aims to protect vulnerable elderly
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