Council committee advances bill to broaden protections for vulnerable adults against financial scams

Councilmember Stewart, sponsor of Bill 16‑26, told the Public Safety Committee the measure "aligns our county consumer protection laws with the state law" and gives the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection additional tools to deter deceptive trade practices targeted at vulnerable residents. The bill expands the county's ability to classify certain transactions as deceptive when they involve adults identified as vulnerable or those 68 years or older and authorizes a voluntary mediation program to supplement investigative authority.

Eric Friedman of the Office of Consumer Protection and council staff described how the change would clarify jurisdiction and allow investigations in cases where the old code left uncertainty. An OCP staffer recounted an unresolved case involving a 72‑year‑old whose estate lost $450,000; the bill would remove a question about jurisdiction that previously complicated that sort of investigation. Ms. Wellens, council staff, said staff expects a minimal fiscal impact, an indeterminate economic effect, and recommended targeted outreach and education for BIPOC communities. The committee advanced the bill to full council by acclamation (reported 3‑0 in committee).