Senate committee sends elder‑fraud bill to floor after broad support from banks, law enforcement

BOISE — The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee voted 7‑1 to send House Bill 323 to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation after testimony from financial institutions, law enforcement and advocates who described widespread elder financial exploitation.

Representative Jeff Ehlers, R‑Meridian, the bill sponsor, told the committee HB 323 gives banks and credit unions a tool to “pause” a transaction when the institution has a reasonable belief a financial exploitation is occurring. The bill would permit an initial hold while the institution notifies other account parties and gives the institution up to 15 days to investigate, with an option for an additional 15‑day extension.

Ehlers said the measure targets adults age 65 and older and natural persons with a mental or physical impairment who are particularly at risk. He described the proposal as…