Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart introduced Expedited Bill 16-26, known as the Financial Exploitation Protection Act, which aims to strengthen the County’s ability to address deceptive trade practices, particularly those targeting older adults and vulnerable residents.
The legislation would prohibit the use of deception, intimidation, or undue influence to obtain money, property, or services from individuals age 68 and older or those defined as vulnerable adults, and would align County law with existing state statutes.
The bill would also allow the Office of Consumer Protection to establish a voluntary mediation program in addition to its investigative authority. Council President Natali Fani-González and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Dawn Luedtke, Shebra Evans, Marilyn Balcombe, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Evan Glass, Sidney Katz, Kristin Mink, and Will Jawando are listed as cosponsors. Officials said the measure is intended to enhance enforcement tools and expand protections against financial exploitation.
