Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed nine bills, including a measure (SB 556) that will allow banks to delay disbursing money if employees think seniors or 鈥渧ulnerable鈥� adults could be getting financially exploited.
Supporters said during this year鈥檚 legislative session that the bill was needed because of widespread scams that involve seniors withdrawing money from their bank accounts.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, includes a finding that 鈥渕any persons in this state, because of age or disability, are at increased risk of financial exploitation and loss of their assets, funds, investments, and investment accounts.
The Legislature further finds that specified adults in this state are at a statistically higher risk of being targeted for financial exploitation, regardless of diminished capacity or other disability, because of their accumulation of substantial assets and wealth compared to younger age groups.鈥�
The bill, which will take effect Jan. 1, will allow banks to delay disbursing money if certain steps are taken.
As an example, it will require banks to notify in writing all people authorized to transact business on the accounts and any 鈥渢rusted contact鈥� listed on the accounts, with the exception of people suspected of exploitation.
It will also provide legal immunity to banks if they act in 鈥済ood faith鈥� in delaying the disbursement of money.
