The **Financial Empowerment and Protection Act** requires a broad range of **covered companies** to allow consenting cohabitating adults to open joint accounts. These accounts are designed for managing services provided by the company and associated bills, ensuring both individuals have shared responsibility and access to account information. The bill defines "consenting cohabitating adults" generally as any adults who agree to live together, with a specific provision for custodial parents in the context of childcare providers. For any joint account, it must be established with the agreement of both adults and be in each of their names. Covered companies must provide all account-related information, including bills, correspondence, and product details, along with online portal access, to either adult upon request. Additionally, companies are mandated to issue a notice explaining what information will be shared and to provide privacy notices, as required by Regulation P, to both account holders. If a covered company fails to adhere to these requirements, any harmed cohabitating adult may initiate a civil action in court, seeking an award of up to $1,000 for each instance of non-compliance. These provisions regarding joint accounts will take effect 180 days after the bill's enactment. Separately, the bill amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to prohibit the imposition of fees for early lease termination for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in housing assisted under a covered housing program.