Enhancing consumer protections against financial fraud.

HB 1900 strengthens protections for vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled individuals) against suspected financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions to temporarily block suspicious transactions. If an institution reasonably suspects fraud - such as unusual account activity or a beneficiary dispute - it must notify state departments, internally flag the account, and may refuse disbursement for up to 5-10 business days. The bill also grants legal immunity to institutions acting in good faith and mandates clear notification to account holders and authorities. This directly affects vulnerable adults, financial institutions, and state agencies like the Department of Financial Institutions. The law amends existing Washington statutes to create these specific safeguards without altering broader consumer protections.