Rep. Howard files bill in North Carolina House to protect older adults from financial exploitation

A new bill filed by State Rep. Howard seeks to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation and modernize savings bank regulations in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 754 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Fin. Exploit. Prevention/Savings Bank Updates.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates measures to protect disabled and older adults from financial exploitation and updates savings bank laws in North Carolina. It permits financial institutions to delay or refuse transactions if there is a suspected risk of exploitation, with authority expiring after 30 business days, extendable for another 30 days if necessary. Institutions and employees acting in good faith are granted immunity from liability. The bill also revises terms related to savings banks, including definitions and procedures for establishing branches and relocating offices, aiming to align more with commercial banking laws. The Commissioner of Banks is tasked with reviewing and suggesting potential updates to further modernize savings bank regulations within a year, with the act effective upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Neal Jackson proposed the most bills (32) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Howard graduated from Salem College in 2003 with a BA.

Howard, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 77th House district, replacing previous state representative Harry Warren.