New Jersey Assembly Bill ACR124

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Urges President and Congress of United States to enact legislation requiring paper account statements be provided to elder adults.

Impact

If adopted, ACR124 is expected to impact federal banking regulations by advocating for a change that would protect elderly customers from exploitative practices associated with account statements. It aims to create a more supportive environment for elder adults, facilitating their financial management while considering their unique needs, thereby reinforcing consumer protection standards within the banking industry.

Summary

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 124 (ACR124) urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact legislation that mandates federally-regulated depository institutions to provide paper account statements to elder adults without charge. The resolution is a response to the growing trend of banks charging fees for paper statements, which disproportionately affects seniors who may not be tech-savvy and reliant on traditional banking methods. ACR124 seeks to address this issue by ensuring that depository institutions continue providing accessible financial information to older adults in a format they can manage without incurring additional costs.

Contention

Notably, while ACR124 emphasizes the importance of maintaining traditional paper statements, it also highlights the federal preemption of state laws that limit states’ abilities to enforce such mandates on federally-regulated institutions. This raises questions about the state's role in consumer protection versus the federal government's authority over banking regulations. The proponents of the resolution argue that federal legislation is essential for ensuring equitable access to essential banking services for the elderly, while opponents may contend that imposing such requirements could lead to increased operational costs for banks.