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States Should Not Mistake Long-Term Investing for Abandonment

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WASHINGTON, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Investment Company Institute released the following Viewpoints blog:

Millions of Americans buy mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and other securities with the intention of holding them for years. They may not log in often. They may not trade. They may not check their balances until they need the money. That is not a sign they have walked away from their investments; it is ordinary buy-and-hold investing.

But some states are making it easier to treat these investors as if they are missing. By adding a so-called “inactivity standard” to their unclaimed property laws, states can seize and liquidate securities accounts simply because the owner has not logged in, traded, contributed, or otherwise contacted the account provider for a set period of time—even though the investor is not lost and has not abandoned the account. 

The consequences of escheatment, the legal process by which a state takes custody of abandoned property, can be severe. Once a securities account escheats to a state, the state liquidates the securities. When owners try to reclaim their account, they may receive only the value of the securities when they were sold, and not the dividends, interest, or appreciation they may have earned had the investments remained intact and untouched. 

Florida and California show that states have a choice: protect long-term investors or put their savings at risk. 

Florida and the Majority of States Show a Better Way Forward

Florida recently showed why these protections matter. After the state changed its unclaimed property law in 2024 and moved from a “returned communication standard” to an inactivity standard for securities, more than $1 billion in additional assets escheated to the state, much of it prematurely. Lawmakers recognized the gravity of the problem immediately. This past June, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation strengthening protections for investors who remain reachable, even when they have not actively engaged with their account for some time. 

The new Florida standard recognizes how investors engage with their accounts today. It incorporates both a returned communication standard and a 10-year period to show an indication of interest, or activity, in an account. It also allows investors to demonstrate continued interest by securely accessing a website, engaging through a mobile app, or responding to an account notice, among other actions. 

California Should Follow Florida’s Lead

Under California law, the standard is vague, and securities may in some cases be deemed abandoned when an account provider has lost contact with the securities’ owner. That is why the standard for determining abandonment is so critical. An inactivity standard can blur the difference between an investor who is truly lost and an investor who is simply staying the course. 

California now has an important opportunity to protect long-term investors by passing AB 2031, sponsored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. This legislation would clarify California’s Unclaimed Property Law and help prevent inappropriate escheatment of securities. That means the 7.8 million California households that own mutual funds or ETFs would not be treated as missing when account communications are still being delivered by mail or electronically and are not returned as undeliverable.

Keeping Long-Term Investments in Investors’ Hands

Unclaimed property laws should not be used to take possession of securities owned by investors who are still reachable and still invested.

Florida has taken the right step, joining a majority of states in recognizing that ordinary long-term investing should not be treated as abandonment. California should follow suit by passing AB 2031 right away. Other states should then follow Florida and California and modernize their laws to protect investors from these same risks.

What Forced Liquidation Can Cost a Long-Term Investor
Imagine a long-term investor with $50,000 in mutual fund shares. She receives electronic statements, reinvests dividends, and keeps a valid address on file with the account provider. Because she is saving for the future, she does not log in or trade for several years.

Then one day she checks her account and finds her securities are gone. The state has taken custody and sold them. If she later files a claim, she may recover only the $50,000 sale-date value. Had the money remained invested and earned 7% annually, it could have grown to more than $98,000 over 10 years.

That is nearly $50,000 in potential gains lost because inactivity was mistaken for abandonment.

Contact: media@ici.org

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SOURCE Investment Company Institute

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HelloNation Article Featuring Special Needs Planning Attorney Amy Osborne Explains When Families Should Begin Long-Term Legal and Financial Planning

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July 14, 2026

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The article outlines how early preparation supports eligibility for benefits, decision-making, and continuity of care for individuals with disabilities.

CARY, N.C., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When should families begin special needs planning to protect long-term access to services and legal rights? In an article featured on HelloNation, attorney Amy Osborne of Law Offices Amy Whinery Osborne, PC, in Cary, North Carolina, explains why early planning is essential. According to Osborne, many families wait until a child with disabilities approaches adulthood to prepare, but this delay can hinder eligibility for key programs and limit decision-making options. Beginning the process well before the child reaches 18 allows for smoother transitions and the establishment of appropriate legal frameworks in advance.

The article explains that reaching age 18 marks a shift in legal status, with individuals presumed to have full decision-making capacity unless the court determines otherwise. This has direct implications for guardianship, medical consent, and financial management. Osborne details the legal avenues available to families, including formal guardianship petitions and alternatives such as supported decision-making and special needs powers of attorney. These tools must be evaluated in light of the individual’s capacity and long-term care requirements.

Equally important is the financial dimension of planning. Osborne emphasizes the role of special needs trusts in maintaining eligibility for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. These trusts must be structured to comply with strict asset rules and should be created well in advance of receiving inheritances or gifts. Early preparation also supports timely coordination with schools, state agencies, and regional centers that often have complex documentation and assessment requirements for services.

Families are encouraged to take a long-term view by developing letters of intent, housing plans, and successor guardian strategies. These elements ensure continuity in care and provide clear direction in the event of a parent’s incapacity. As Osborne notes in ” How Early Planning Supports a Child With Special Needs, ” a proactive approach helps reduce administrative delays and positions families to make thoughtful, informed decisions that support the individual’s lifelong well-being.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hellonation-article-featuring-special-needs-planning-attorney-amy-osborne-explains-when-families-should-begin-long-term-legal-and-financial-planning-302778820.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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BrightSpring Health Services Set to Join S&P MidCap 400 and Karman Holdings to Join S&P SmallCap 600

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July 14, 2026

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NEW YORK, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — S&P SmallCap 600 constituent BrightSpring Health Services Inc. (NASD: BTSG) will replace Chart Industries Inc. (NYSE: GTLS) in the S&P MidCap 400, and Karman Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KRMN) will replace BrightSpring Health Services in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Friday, July 17. S&P 500 constituent Baker Hughes Co. (NASD: BKR) is to acquire Chart Industries in a deal expected to close July 16, pending final closing conditions.

Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date:

Effective Date

Index Name 

Action

Company Name

Ticker

GICS Sector

July 17, 2026

S&P MidCap 400

Addition

BrightSpring Health Services

BTSG

Health Care

July 17, 2026

S&P MidCap 400

Deletion

Chart Industries

GTLS

Industrials

July 17, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Addition

Karman Holdings

KRMN

Industrials

July 17, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Deletion

BrightSpring Health Services

BTSG

Health Care

ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

S&P Dow Jones Indices
index_services@spglobal.com

Media Inquiries
spdji.comms@spglobal.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brightspring-health-services-set-to-join-sp-midcap-400-and-karman-holdings-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302825665.html

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices

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Sandbox VR Continues to Expand Across Colorado with a New Denver Venue

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July 14, 2026

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Sandbox VR brings the ‘best virtual reality experience on the planet’ to Denver

DENVER, July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sandbox VR, the world’s premier destination for premium location-based virtual reality experiences, has opened its newest location in Denver, Colorado. The location in the trendy ‘RiNo’ River North Art District of Denver joins Smack Entertainment LLC’s existing location in Virginia Beach, VA, and Sandbox VR’s additional Colorado location in Lone Tree. With nearly 150,000 players monthly, Sandbox VR is rapidly growing its global footprint with thriving corporate-owned locations and a robust franchising program.

Sandbox VR Now Open in Denver, Colorado’s RiNo District

Sandbox VR’s 7,490 sq ft location in the lively ‘RiNo’ River North Art District of Denver features three private rooms where groups of up to six guests suit up with headsets, haptic vests, and motion sensors for full-body immersion. This technology allows players to see and physically interact with one another, creating the feeling of living inside the action together. The premium experience extends from arrival to exit, with personalized highlight videos allowing guests to relive and share their adventures.

“We’re excited to expand our relationship with Scott Boren through an additional franchise location in a key market,” said Steve Zhao, CEO and Founder of Sandbox VR. “Scott has had success with his Virginia Beach location, which opened last year, and we’re excited to continue that momentum with this new venue.”

“As I’ve seen first-hand with our initial Sandbox VR location, there is a huge demand from consumers for more immersive entertainment,” said Scott Boren, Franchise Owner, Sandbox VR. “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with the Sandbox VR team and offer these incredible experiences to guests across Denver.”

Sandbox VR operates both corporate-owned locations and a robust franchise program, and recently hit $300M in lifetime sales while scaling to more than 85 global locations across five continents and 12 countries since launching in 2016. The company is redefining group entertainment with immersive experiences that transform any outing into lasting memories. Built by a team of veteran developers from EA, Sony, and Ubisoft, Sandbox VR delivers full-body immersion through exclusive content and original experiences, including the recently launched Stranger Things: Catalyst, in collaboration with Netflix, and the new Age of Dinosaurs experience in partnership with the Natural History Museum of London and leading dinosaur experts.

Sandbox VR provides an unparalleled entertainment experience with over 200,000 five-star reviews from guests worldwide. With 5 million lifetime tickets sold across five continents, the company has established itself as the global leader in location-based virtual reality. Sandbox VR is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, Craft, and Stanford University, along with individuals such as Kevin Durant, Justin Timberlake, and Katy Perry.

To learn more about Sandbox VR Denver, visit https://sandboxvr.com/denver.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR

Sandbox VR is the world’s premier destination for location-based virtual reality experiences. Operating across 85+ venues around the globe through a robust franchise and corporate-owned model, Sandbox VR attracts nearly 150,000 guests each month. Sandbox VR provides guests the opportunity to step out of everyday reality into unforgettable adventures through exhilarating, group-play immersive experiences. Using a proprietary full-body VR platform, the company develops original and licensed content, including exclusive experiences like Stranger Things: Catalyst and Squid Game Virtuals in collaboration with Netflix, and the Sandbox VR original Deadwood series. With over 5 million tickets sold worldwide, Sandbox VR has become the leader in immersive entertainment, combining premium technology with emotionally engaging storytelling. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies and the 129th fastest-growing company on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, Sandbox VR is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Hong Kong and Vancouver. The company has raised over $138 million from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners, and Craft, with individual backers including Justin Timberlake, Kevin Durant, and Will Smith.

Media Contact:

Media@SandboxVR.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sandbox-vr-continues-to-expand-across-colorado-with-a-new-denver-venue-302825677.html

SOURCE Sandbox VR

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