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1102thdSCoeSnsgr^ess 1| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES {fReftP.ar1t10x-864 ' ELDER ABUSE VICTIMS ACT OF 2008 — September22, 2008. Orderedtobeprinted Mr. Conyers, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the following REPORT together with ADDITIONAL VIEWS [To accompanyH.R. 5352] [Includingcost estimate ofthe CongressionalBudget Office] The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 5352) to protect seniors in the United States from elder abuse by establishing specialized elder abuse prosecution and research programs and activities to aid victims of elder abuse, to provide training to prosecutors and other law enforcement related to elder abuse prevention and protection, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. CONTENTS Page TheAmendment 1 Purpose and Summary 9 Background and Need forthe Legislati,on 9 Hearings 10 Committee Consideration 10 CommitteeVotes 10 Committee Oversight Findings 11 New BudgetAuthority andTaxExpenditures 11 Congressional Budget Office CostEstimate 11 Performance Goals and Objectives 12 ConstitutionalAuthority Statement 12 Advisoryon Earmarks 13 Section-by-SectionAnalysis 15 Changes in ExistingLaw Made bythe Bill, as Reported 17 AdditionalViews 24 — — — — — — 2 The Amendment The amendment is as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION1.SHORTTITLE. ThisActmaybe cited as the "ElderAbuseVictimsAct of2008". SEC. 2. ANALYSIS, REPORT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO ELDER JUSTICE PRO- GRAMS. — (a) In General. Subject to the availability ofappropriations to carry out this section, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, sh—all carry outthe following: (1) Study. Conduct a study oflaws and practices relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, which shallinclude (A) a comprehensive description ofState laws and practices relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (B) a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of such State laws andpractices; and (C) an examination ofState laws and practices relatingto specific elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation issues, including (i) the definition of (I) "elder"; (II) "abuse"; (III) "neglect"; (IV) "exploitation"; and (V) such related terms the Attorney General determines to be appropriate; (ii) mandatoryreportinglaws, withrespectto (I)who is a mandated reporter; (II) to whom must they report and within what time frame; and (III) anyconsequences fornotreporting; (hi) evidentiary, procedural, sentencing, choice of remedies, and data retention issues relatingto pursuing cases relatingto elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (iv) laws requiring reporting of all nursing home deaths to the countycoroner orto some otherindividual or entity; (v) fiduciary laws, including guardianship and power of attorney laws; (vi) laws that permit or encourage banks and bank employees to prevent andreport suspected elderabuse, neglect, and exploitation; (vii) laws relatingto fraud and related activities in connectionwith mail, telemarketing, orthe Internet; (viii) laws that may impede research on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (ix) practices relating to the enforcement oflaws relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and (x)practices relatin—gto other aspects ofelderjustice. (2) Development of plan. Develop objectives, priorities, policies, and a long-termplanfor elderjustice programs and activities relatingto (A) prevention and detection of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (B) intervention and treatment for victims ofelder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; (C) training, evaluation, and research related to elderjustice programs and activities; and (D) imp—rovement ofthe elderjustice systeminthe United States. (3) Report. Not later than 2 years after the date ofenactment ofthis Act, submit to the chairman and ranking member of the Special Committee on Aging ofthe Senate, and the Speaker and minority leader ofthe House ofRep- resentatives, and the Secretary ofHealth and Human Services, and make available to the States, areportthat contains (A) thefindings ofthe studyconductedunderparagraph (1); (B) a description ofthe objectives, priorities, policies, and a long-term plan developedunderparagraph (2); and (C) a list, description, and analysis ofthe best practices used by States to develop, implement, maintain, and improve elderjustice systems, based on suchfindings. — — — 3 — (b) GAO Recommendations. Not later than one year after the date ofthe enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall report to Congress any recommendations with respect to any Federal legislation, regulations, or programs de- termined by the Comptroller General to be necessary to improve elderjustice in the United States. — (c) Authorization of Appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each ofthe fiscal years 2009 through 2015. SEC.3.VICTIMADVOCACYGRANTS—. (a) Grants Authorized. The Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretary ofHealth and Human Services, may award grants to eligible entities to studythe specialneeds ofvictim—s ofelder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (b)AuthorizedAcTrvrnES. Funds awardedpursuantto subsection (a) shall be usedforpilotprograms that (1) develop programs for and provide training to health care, social, and protective services providers, law enforcement, fiduciaries (includingguardians), judges and courtpersonnel, andvictim advocates; and (2) examine special approaches designed to meet the needs of victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (c) Authorization of Appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each ofthe fiscal years 2009 through 2015. SEC.4.SUPPORTINGLOCALPROS—ECUTORSANDCOURTSINELDERJUSTICEMATTERS. (a) Grants Authorized. Subject to the availability of appropriations under this section, the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretary ofHealth and Human Services, shall award grants to provide training, technical assistance, policy development, multidisciplinary coordination, and other types of support to localprosecutors and courts handlingelderjustice-related cases, including (1) fundingspeciallydesignated elderjustice positions orunits; and (2) funding the creation ofa Center for the Prosecution ofElderAbuse, Ne- glect, and Exploitation by the American Prosecutor Research Institute of the National District Attorneys Association, or any other similarly situated entity, to advise and support local prosecutors and courts nationwide in their pursuit ofcases involvingelder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each ofthe fiscal years 2009 through 2015. SEC.5.SUPPORTINGST—ATEPROSECUTORSANDCOURTSINELDERJUSTICEMATTERS. (a) In General. Subject to the availability of appropriations under this section, the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall award grants to provide training, technical assistance, multidisciplinary coordination, policy development, and other types of support to State prosecutors and courts, employees ofState Attorneys General, and Medicaid Fraud Control Units handlingelderjustice-related matters. (b) Creating Specialized Positions.—Grants under this section may be made for (1) the establishment ofspecially designated elderjustice positions or units; and (2) the creation ofa position to coordinate elderjustice-related cases, training, technical assistance, and policy development for State prosecutors and courts, by the National Association ofAttorneys General or any other similarly situated entity. (c) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each ofthe fiscal years 2009 through 2015. SEC.6.SUPPORTINGLA—WENFORCEMENTINELDERJUSTICEMATTERS. (a) In General. Subject to the availability of appropriations under this section, the Attorney General, after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, and the Chief Postal Inspector for the United States Postal Inspection Service, shall award grants to provide training, technical assistance, multidisciplinary coordination, policy development, and other types ofsupport to police, sheriffs, detectives, public safety officers, corrections per- sonnel, and other first responders who handle elderjustice-related matters, to fund specially designated elder justice positions or units designed to support first responders in elderjustice matters. — — — 4 — (b) Authorization of Appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $8,000,000 for each ofthe fiscalyears 2009 through 2015. SEC.7.EVALUATIONS. — (a) Grants UnderTh—isAct. (1) In GENERAL. In carrying out the grant programs under this Act, the AttorneyGeneral shall (A) require each recipient ofa grant to use a portion ofthe funds made available through the grant to conduct a validated evaluation ofthe effectiveness of the activities carried out through the grant by such recipient; or (B) as the Attorney General considers appropriate, use a portion ofthe funds available under this Act for a grant program under this Act to provide assistance to an eligible entityto conduct avalidated evaluation ofthe effectiveness of the activities carried out through such grant program by eachofthe grant—recipients. (2)Applications. — (A) Submission. To be eligible to receive a grant under this Act, an entity shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General mayrequire, which shallinclude (i) a proposal for the evaluation required in accordance with paragraph (1)(A); and (ii) the amount of assistance under paragraph (1)(B) the entity is requesting, ifany. — (B) Reviewandassi—stance. (i) In general. An employee ofthe Department ofJustice, after consultation with an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services and anongovernmental memberoftheAdvisoryBoard of Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (established under title XX ofthe Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.), as amended by this Act) with expertise in evaluation methodology, shall review each application described in subparagraph (A) and determine whether the methodology described in the proposal under subparagraph (A)(i) is ade- quate to gatherm—eaningfulinformation. (ii) Denial. If the reviewing employee determines the methodology described in such proposal is inadequate, the reviewing employee shall recommend that the Attorney General deny the application for the grant, or make recommendations for how the application should be amended. — (hi) Notice to applicant. Ifthe Attorney General denies the application on the basis ofsuch proposal, the Attorney General shall inform the applicant ofthe reasons the application was denied, and offer assistance—to the applicantin modifyingthe proposal. (b) Other Grants. Subjectto the availability ofappropriations underthis section, the Attorney General shall award grants to appropriate entities to conduct validated evaluations ofgrant activities that are funded by Federal funds not pro- videdunderthisActto reduce elder abuse, neg—lect, andexploitation. (c) Authorization of Appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $7,000,000 for each ofthe fiscalyears 2009 through 2015. sec.8.elderjustice. (&) ElderJustice (1) In general.—Title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.) is amended (A) in the title heading, by inserting "AND ELDER JUSTICE" after "SOCIAL SERVICES"; (B)byinsertingbefore section 2001 the following: "PartA—BlockGrants to States for Social Services"; and (C)by adding atthe endthefollowing: "PartB—ElderJustice "SEC.2011.DEFINITIONS. "In this part: — —— — — — — 5 — "(1) ABUSE. The term 'abuse' means the knowing infliction ofphysical or psychologicalharm ortheknowingdeprivation ofgoods or services that are necessaryto meetessent—ialneeds orto avoidphysical orpsychologicalharm. "(2) Caregiver. The term 'caregiver' means an individual who has the responsibility for the care of an elder, either voluntarily, by contract, by receipt ofpayment for care, or as a result ofthe operation oflaw, and means a family member or other individual who provides (on behalfofsuch individual or of a public or private agency, organization, or institution) compensated or uncom- pensatedcare to—anelderwhoneeds supportive services in anysetting. "(3) Elder. Thete—rm 'elder'means anindividual age 60 orolder. "(4) Elderjustice. The term'elderjustice' means "(A) from a societalperspective, efforts to "(i) prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and "(ii) protectelders with diminished capacitywhile maximizingtheir autonomy; and "(B) from an individual perspective, the recognition ofan elder's rights, includingtheright—tobe free ofabuse, neglect, andexploitation. "(5) Exploitation. The term 'exploitation' means the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized, or improper act orprocess ofan individual, including a caregiver or fiduciary, that uses the resources ofan elderfor monetaryorper- sonal benefit, profit, or gain, or that results in depriving an elder ofrightful ac- cess to, oruse of, be—nefits, resources, belongings, orassets. "(6) Fiduciary. Theterm'fiduciary' "(A) means apersonorentitywiththe legal responsibility "(i) to make decisions on behalf of and for the benefit of another person; and "(ii) to actingoodfaith andwithfairness; and "(B) includes a trustee, a guardian, a conservator, an executor, an agent under a financial power ofattorney or health care power ofattorney, orarepresentative payee. "(7) Guardianship.—The term 'guardianship'means— "(A) the process by which a State court determines that an adult individual lacks capacity to make decisions about self-care and property, and appoints another individual or entity known as a guardian, as a conservator, orbya similarterm, as a surrogate decisionmaker; "(B) the manner in which the court-appointed surrogate decisionmaker carries outduties tothe individual andthe court; or "(C) the mannerinwhich the court exercises oversight ofthe surrogate decisionmaker. — "(8) Long-term care.— "(A) In general. The term 'long-term care' means supportive and health services specified by the Secretary for individuals who need assistance because the individuals have a loss ofcapacity for self-care due to illness, disability, orvulnerability. — "(B) Loss OF CAPACITY FOR SELF-CARE. For purposes ofsubparagraph (A), the term 'loss ofcapacity for self-care' means an inability to engage in 1 or more activities ofdaily living, including eating, dressing, bathing, and managemento—fone's financial affairs. "(9)Neglect. Theterm'neglect' means "(A) the failure ofa caregiver or fiduciary to provide the goods or services that are necessaryto maintain thehealth or safetyofan elder; or "(B) self-neglect.— "(10) Self-neglect. The term 'self-neglect' means an adult's inability, due to physical or mental impairment or diminished capacity, to perform essential self-care tasks including "(A) obtainingessentialfood, clothing, shelter, and medical care; "(B) obtaining goods and services necessary to maintain physical health, mentalhealth, orgeneral safety; or "(C) managingone's own financial affairs. "SEC.2012.GENERALPROVISIONS. — "(a) Protection of Privacy. In pursuing activities under this part, the Sec- retary shall ensure the protection of individual health privacy consistent with the regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 a—nd applicable State and local privacy regulations. "(b) Rule of Construction. Nothing in this part shall be construed to inter- fere with or abridge an elder's right to practice his or her religion through reliance onprayeraloneforhealingwhen this choice — — 6 "(1) is contemporaneously expressed, either orally or in writing, with respect to a specific illness or injury which the elder has at the time ofthe deci- sionby an elderwhois competent atthe time ofthe decision; "(2) is previously set forth in a living will, health care proxy, or other ad- vance directive document that is validly executed and applied under State law; or "(3) maybe unambiguouslydeducedfromthe elder's lifehistory. "SEC.2013.ELDERJUSTICECOORDINATINGCOUNCEL. — "(a) Establishment. There is establishedwithin the Office ofthe Secretary an ElderJustice Coordina—tingCouncil (inthis sectionreferredto as the 'Council'). "(b) Membership. — "(1) In general. The Council shall be composed ofthe followingmembers: "(A) The Secretary(orthe Secretary's designee). "(B)TheAttorneyGeneral (ortheAttorneyGeneral's designee). "(C) The head of each Federal department or agency or other govern- mental entityidentifiedby the Chair referred to in subsection (d) as having responsibilities, or administeringprograms, relatingto elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. — "(2) Requirement. Each member ofthe Council shall be an officer or employee ofthe Fed—eral Government. "(c) Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Council shall not affect its powers, but shallbefilledin—the same manner as the original appointmentwas made. "(d) Chair. The member described in subsection (b)(1)(A) shall be Chair ofthe Council. — "(e) Meetings. The Council shall meet at least 2 times per year, as deter- minedbythe Ch—air. "(f) Duties. — "(1) In general. The Council shall make recommendations to the Sec- retaryforthe coordination ofactivities ofthe Department ofHealth and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal, State, local, and private agencies and entities, relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation andother—crimes againstelders. "(2) Report. Not later than the date that is 2 years after the date ofenactment ofthe Elder Abuse Victims Act of2008 and every 2 years thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce ofthe House ofRepresentatives areportthat "(A) describes the activities and accomplishments of, and challenges facedby "(i) the Council; and "(ii) the entities represented onthe Council; and "(B) makes such recommendations for legislation, model laws, or other action as the Council determines to be appropriate. "(g)Powers ofthe Council.— — "(1) Information from federalagencies. Subject to the requirements of section 2012(a), the Council may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Council considers necessary to carry out this section. Upon request ofthe Chair ofthe Council, the head ofsuch department oragencyshallfurnish suc—hinformationto the Council. "(2) Postal services. The Council mayuse the United States mails inthe same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies oftheFederal Gover—nment. "(h) Travel Expenses. The members of the Council shall not receive compensation for the performance ofservices for the Council. The members shall be allowed travel expenses, includingper diem in lieu ofsubsistence, at rates authorized for employees ofagencies under subchapter I ofchapter 57 oftitle 5, United States Code, while awayfrom theirhomes or regularplaces ofbusiness in the performance ofservices for the Council. Notwithstanding section 1342 oftitle 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of the members ofthe Council. — "(i) Detail of Government Employees. Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Council without reimbursement, and such detail shall be withoutinterruption orloss ofcivil service status orprivilege. "(j) Status as Permanent Council.—Section 14 ofthe Federal Advisory Com- mitteeAct (5 U.S.C. App.) shallnot applyto the Council. "SEC.2014.ADVISORYBOARD—ONELDERABUSE,NEGLECT,ANDEXPLOITATION. "(a) Establishment. There is established a board to be known as the 'Advi- sory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation' (in this section referred to — — — — 7 as the 'Advisory Board') to create short- and long-term multidisciplinary strategic plans forthe development ofthe field ofelderjustice and to make recommendations tothe ElderJustice Co—ordinatingCouncil establishedunder section 2013. "(b) Composition. The Advisory Board shall be composed of 27 members appointed by the Secretary from among members ofthe general public who are individuals with experience and expertise in elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention, detection, treatment, interventi—on, orprosecution. "(c) Solicitation of Nominations. The Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register solicitingnominations forthe appointment ofmembers ofthe Advi- soryBoardundersubsection (b). "(d)Terms.— — "(1) In general. Each member ofthe Advisory Board shall be appointed fora term of3 years, exceptthat, ofthe members first appointed "(A) 9 shallbe appointed for aterm of3 years; "(B) 9 shallbe appointed foraterm of2years; and "(C) 9 shallbe appointedfora term of1 year. "(2)Vacancies.— — "(A) In general. Any vacancy on the Advisory Board shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointmentwas made. "(B) Filling unexpired term.—An individual chosen to fill a vacancy shallbe appointedforthe u—nexpiredterm ofthe memberreplaced. "(3) Expiration of terms. The term of any member shall not expire be- fore the date onwhichthe me—mber's successortakes office. "(e) Election of Officers. The Advisory Board shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair from amongits members. The Advisory Board shall elect its initial Chair and Vice Chairatits—initial meeting. "(f) Duties. "(1) Enhance communication on prom—oting quality of, and preventing ABUSE and NEGLECT IN, LONG-TERM CARE. The Advisory Board shall develop collaborative and innovative approaches to improve the quality of, including preventingabuse andneglectin, long-term care. "(2) COLLABORATrVE EFFORTS TO DEVELOP CONSENSUS AROUND THE MANAGE- MENTOFCERTAIN QUALITY—-RELATED FACTORS. "(A) In GENERAL. The AdvisoryBoard shall establish multidisciplinary panels to address, and develop consensus on, subjects relating to improving the quality oflong-term care. At least 1 such panel shall address, and develop consensus on, methods for managing resident-to-resident abuse in long-termcare. — "(B) Activities CONDUCTED. The multidisciplinary panels established under subparagraph (A) shall examine relevant research and data, identify best practices with respect to the subject ofthe panel, determine the best way to carry out those best practices in a practical and feasible manner, and determine an effective manner ofdistributinginformation on such subject. — "(3) Report. Not later than the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment ofthe ElderAbuse Victims Act of2008, and annually thereafter, the Advisory Board shall prepare and submit to the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, the Committee on Finance ofthe Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce ofthe House ofRep- resentatives areport containing "(A) information on the status of Federal, State, and local public and private elderjustice activities; "(B) recommendations (includingrecommendedpriorities) regarding "(i) elderjusticeprograms, research, training, services, practice, enforcement, andcoordination; "(ii) coordination between entities pursuingelderjustice efforts and those involved in related areas that may inform or overlap with elder justice efforts, such as activities to combat violence against women and child abuse andneglect; and "(iii) activities relating to adult fiduciary systems, including guardianship and otherfiduciaryarrangements; "(C) recommendations for specific modifications needed in Federal and State laws (including regulations) or for programs, research, and training to enhance prevention, detection, and treatment (including diagnosis) of, intervention in (including investigation of), and prosecution ofelder abuse, neglect, andexploitation; — — 8 "(D) recommendations on methods for the most effective coordinated national data collection with respect to elder justice, and elder abuse, neglect, andexploitation; and "(E) recommendations for a multidisciplinary strategic plan to guide the effective and efficient developmentofthe field ofelderjustice. "(g) Powers oftheAdvisoryBoard.— — "(1) Information from federalagencies. Subject to the requirements of section 2012(a), the Advisory Board may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as theAdvisory Board considers necessary to carry out this section. Upon request ofthe Chair ofthe Advisory Board, the head ofsuch department or agency shall furnish such information to the Advi- soryBoard. — "(2) Sharing of data and reports. The Advisory Board may request from any entity pursuing elderjustice activities under the Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008 or an amendment made by such Act, any data, reports, or recommendations generated inconnectionwith such activities. "(3) Postal services—The Advisory Board may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies ofthe Fede—ral Government. "(h) Travel Expenses. The members ofthe Advisory Board shall not receive compensation for the performance ofservices for the Advisory Board. The members shall be allowed travel expenses for up to 4 meetings per year, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I ofchapter 57 oftitle 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places ofbusiness in the performance ofservices for the Advisory Board. Notwithstanding section 1342 oftitle 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of the members of the Advisory Board. "(i) Detail of Government Employees.—Any Federal Government employee maybe detailedto theAdvisoryBoardwithoutreimbursement, and such detail shall bewithoutinterruption orloss ofcivil service status orprivilege. "(j) Status as Permanent Advisory Committee.—Section 14 of the Federal AdvisoryCommitteeAct (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not applyto the advisoryboard. "SEC.2015.RESEARCHPROTECTIONS. — "(a) Guidelines. The Secretary shall promulgate guidelines to assist research- ersworkinginthe area ofelder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, withissues relating tohuman subjectprotections. Regu"l(ab)tiDoenfsi.n—itFioornpoufrpLoesgeasllofytAhuethapoprliizcaetdioRnepofressuebnptarattiAveoffoprarAtp4p6liocfattiitolen4o5f, Code ofFederal Regulations, to research conducted under this chapter the term 'le- gally authorized representative' means, unless otherwise provided by law, the individual orjudicial or other body authorized under the applicable law to consent to medicaltreatment onbehalfofanotherperson. "SEC.2016.AUTHORIZATIONOFAPPROPRIATIONS. "There are authorizedto be appropriatedto carryoutthis chapter "(1) forfiscalyear 2009, $6,500,000; and "(2) for each offiscalyears 2010 through 2012, $7,000,000.". SEC. 9. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE MISSING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PATIENT ALERT PRO- GRAM. Section 240001 ofthe Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 14181) is amended— (1)bya—mendingsubsection (a) toread as follows: "(a) Grant. Subject to the availability ofappropriations to carry out this section, the Attorney General, through the Bureau of Justice Assistance and in con- sultationwiththe SecretaryofHealth andHuman Services, shall award competitive grants to States, units of local government, and nonprofit organizations to assist such States, units, and organizations, respectively, in paying for the costs ofplan- ning, designing, establishing, and operating locally based, proactive programs to protect and locate missing patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and othermissingelderlyindividuals."; (2) in subsection (b) (A) byinserting"competitive" after"to receive a"; and (B) by adding at the end the following new sentence: "The Attorney General shall periodically solicit applications for grants under this section by publishing a request for applications in the Federal Register and by postingsuch arequest onthewebsite ofthe DepartmentofJustice."; (3) by amendingsubsection (c) toread as follows: — — 9 — "(c) Preference. In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Attorney Gen- eral shall give preference to nonprofit organizations that have a direct link to patients, and families of patients, with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias."; and (4)byamendingsubsection (d) toread—as follows: "(d) Authorization of Appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each ofthe fiscal years 2009 through 2015.". SEC.10.DEFINITIONS. InthisAct: — (1) Elder. Thete—rm"elder"means an individual age 60 orolder. (2) Elderjustice. The term"elderjustice"means (A)from a societalperspective, efforts to (i) prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, andexploitation; and (ii) protect elders with diminished capacity while maximizing their autonomy; and (B) from an individual perspective, the recognition ofan elder's rights, includingtherightto be free ofabuse, neglect, and exploitation. Purpose and Summary The Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008 addresses the problem of elder abuse. It requires the Attorney General to research State laws and practices relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; develop objectives, priorities, policies, and a long-term plan for elder justice programs and activities; and report its findings. It requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress any recommendations regarding Federal legislation, regulations, and programs. The Act authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to provide training, assistance, and other support to local and State prosecutors and courts, police, and other first responders in matters relating to elderjustice. It amends Title XX ofthe Social Secu- rity Act to add a new subpart on Elder Justice, establishing a national Elder Justice Coordinating Council and an Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation. It also reauthorizes the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, and directs the Attorney General to award competitive grants to States, units of local government, and nonprofit organizations for establishing and operating locally based programs to protect and locate missing patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Background and Need for the Legislation H.R. 5352 addresses two significant problems affecting elderly Americans. One is when they are abused at the hands oftheir care- takers and others. The other is when they go missing, suffering from Alzheimers or dementia, foul play, or other unusual circumstances. Each year in the United States, between one-half million to five million elders are abused, neglected or exploited. Experts agree that most cases are never reported. Data collected on the problem is minimal, and there has been no comprehensive national approach to solving the problem. In fact, prior to the hearing on this bill, the House had held only one hearing on elder abuse, more than 16 years ago, in 1991. These problems will likely increase over the next 30 years, as 76 million baby boomers approach retirement. Elder abuse is not always easy to detect. Abuse includes not only physical abuse, but also sexual and emotional abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment. Training and education are 10 critically needed to help those who live or work with elderly individuals, so they can recognize the symptoms of elder abuse and A meaningfully address the problem. national response to elder abuse also is needed, as many aspects of elder abuse are national in scope or can benefit from a national enforcement and remedial approach. In addition, thousands ofvulnerable older adults go missing each year as a result of dementia, diminished capacity, foul play, or other unusual circumstances. The Alzheimer's Foundation ofAmer- ica estimates that over five million Americans suffer from Alz- heimer's disease, and that sixty percent of these are likely to wan- der from their homes. Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related illnesses often leave their victims disoriented and confused and unable to find their way home. According to the Alzheimer's Association, up to 50% of wanderers risk serious illness, injury, or death ifnot found within 24 hours.1 The Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, admin- istered by the Department of Justice, is the only Federal program that currently provides grant funding to locate vulnerable elderly individuals who go missing. Authorization for this program ceased in 1998, though Congress has continued to appropriate some mon- ies for it through fiscal year 2008, when it appropriated $940,000.2 Hearings The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security held 1 day of hearings on H.R. 5352, and the related bill, H.R. 1783, the Elder Justice Act, on April 17, 2008. Testimony was re- ceived from the Honorable Rahm Emanuel; the Honorable Joe Sestak; Robert Blancato, Elder Justice Coalition; Sherry Fried- lander, A Child is Missing Alert and Recovery Center; and Vernon Keenan, Georgia Bureau of Investigation; with additional material submitted by the National Center for State Courts, the National Association of Local Long Term Care Ombudsmen, and the Amer- ican Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. Committee Consideration On May 13, 2008, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security met in open session and ordered the bill, H.R. 5352, favorably reported, without amendment, by voice vote, a quorum being present. On June 11, 2008, the Committee met in open session and ordered the bill, H.R. 5352, favorably reported with an amendment, by voice vote, a quorum being present. Committee Votes In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that there were no recorded votes during the Committee's consideration of H.R. 5352. 1Alzheimer's Association, "Issue Kit: Public Policy Response to Wandering Behavior," Wash- ingtonPublicPolicyOffice,Alzheimer'sAssociation, Sept. 2006. 2H. Rept. 107-278 (FY 2002); H. Rept. 108-10 (FY 2003); H. Rept. 108-401 (FY 2004); H. Rept. 108-792 (FY2005); H. Rept. 109-272 (FY2006); P.L. 110-5 (FY2007); U.S. House, Com- mitteeonAppropriations,JointExplanatoryStatementtoAccompanyFY2008ConsolidatedAp- propriationsAmendmenttoH.R. 2764(P.L. 110-161),DivisionB(FY2008).