Sec. 7. (a) A qualified individual may refuse a request for disbursement of funds from an account:

(1) owned by a financially vulnerable adult; or

(2) of which a financially vulnerable adult is a beneficiary or beneficial owner;

if the qualified individual has reason to believe that the requested disbursement may result in financial exploitation of the financially vulnerable adult.

(b) If a qualified individual refuses a request for disbursement under subsection (a), a broker-dealer or investment adviser involved in the transaction or the qualified individual shall:

(1) subject to subsection (c), make a reasonable effort to notify all parties authorized to transact business on the account:

(A) orally; or

(B) in writing by:

(i) electronic communication; or

(ii) mail postmarked;

not more than two (2) business days after the qualified individual refuses the request for disbursement; and

(2) notify the protective agencies:

(A) orally; or

(B) in writing by:

(i) electronic communication; or

(ii) mail postmarked;

not more than three (3) business days after the qualified individual refuses the request for disbursement.

(c) A broker-dealer, investment adviser, or the qualified individual described in subsection (b) is not required to contact a party authorized to transact business on the account if the broker-dealer, investment adviser, or qualified individual has reason to believe that the party has engaged in suspected or attempted financial exploitation of the financially vulnerable adult.

(d) Unless a court or the commissioner enters an order extending the refusal of disbursement or providing any other applicable protective relief, any refusal of disbursement under this section expires upon the earlier of the following:

(1) The date that the qualified individual has reason to believe that the disbursement will not result in financial exploitation of the financially vulnerable adult.

(2) Fifteen (15) business days after the date of the initial refusal of disbursement by the qualified individual. However, if a broker-dealer's or investment adviser's internal review of the facts and circumstances supports the broker-dealer's or investment adviser's reasonable belief that the financial exploitation of the financially vulnerable adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, the commissioner shall extend the refusal of disbursement for an additional fifteen (15) business days after the expiration date that would otherwise apply under this subdivision.

(e) A court with jurisdiction may enter an order that:

(1) extends a refusal of disbursement; or

(2) provides for any other protective relief.

(f) After:

(1) a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or qualified individual provides notice under subsection (b); and

(2) the refusal of disbursement has expired or a court or the commissioner has entered an order as described in subsection (d) or (e)(1);

the broker-dealer, investment adviser, or qualified individual shall notify, in writing, the protective agencies of the expiration or the order, as applicable.

As added by P.L.39-2016, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.158-2017, SEC.10.