Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act seeks to amend the Investor Protection and Securities Reform Act of 2010. This bill establishes a competitive grant program to provide funds to State securities commissions and insurance departments. The money is intended to help protect seniors, defined as individuals aged 62 or older, from financial fraud. These grants can be used for hiring staff, purchasing technology, providing educational materials, and enhancing State laws. The program aims to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases involving senior financial fraud.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill provides specific resources to protect seniors from financial fraud and exploitation.
- Scored +8
Would retired people be better off under this?
The bill aims to protect retirees from the financial harm caused by fraud and scams.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances protections against financial fraud and investment scams.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased protection from financial fraud: The bill provides grants that can be used to hire staff to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases of senior financial fraud (Section 3(b)(1)(A)(i)).
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Improved investigative capabilities: Funds may be used for technology, equipment, and training for regulators, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers to help them catch those committing fraud (Section 3(b)(1)(A)(ii)).
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Enhanced public awareness: The grants can fund educational materials and training to help seniors better understand and recognize senior financial fraud (Section 3(b)(1)(A)(iii)).
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Strengthened legal protections: Grant money can be used to enhance provisions of State law to provide better protection against senior financial fraud (Section s3(b)(1)(A)(v)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on fund usage: Grant funds cannot be used for indirect expenses such as rent, utilities, or other general administrative costs that are not directly related to the grant program (Section 3(b)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill aims to protect retirees from the financial harm caused by fraud and scams. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides specific resources to protect seniors from financial fraud and exploitation.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances protections against financial fraud and investment scams. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill allows grant recipients to hire staff to investigate and prosecute financial fraud.
- 9/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/17/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa