Prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation

In order to be eligible to receive an allotment under section 3058b of this title from funds appropriated under section 3058a of this title and made available to carry out this subpart, a State agency shall, in accordance with this section, and in consultation with area agencies on aging, develop and enhance programs to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The State agency shall use an allotment made under subsection (a) to carry out, through the programs described in subsection (a), activities to develop, strengthen, and carry out programs for the prevention, detection, assessment, and treatment of, intervention in, investigation of, and response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including— promoting the development of an elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation system— under which a State agency— that includes, throughout the State, in connection with the enforcement of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation laws and with the reporting of suspected instances of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation— that includes a State clearinghouse for dissemination of information to the general public with respect to— supporting multidisciplinary elder justice activities, such as— addressing underserved populations of older individuals, such as— In developing and enhancing programs under subsection (a), the State agency shall use a comprehensive approach, in consultation with area agencies on aging, to identify and assist older individuals who are subject to abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including older individuals who live in State licensed facilities, unlicensed facilities, or domestic or community-based settings. In developing and enhancing programs under subsection (a), the State agency shall coordinate the programs with other State and local programs and services for the protection of vulnerable adults, particularly vulnerable older individuals, including programs and services such as— In developing and enhancing programs under subsection (a), the State agency shall— require that all information gathered in the course of receiving a report described in subsection (b)(10)(B)(i), and making a referral described in subsection (b)(10)(B)(ii), shall remain confidential except— The State agency may designate a State entity to carry out the programs and activities described in this subpart. The Secretary, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the Attorney General of the United States, State attorneys general, and tribal and local prosecutors, shall conduct a study of the nature and extent of financial exploitation of older individuals. The purpose of this study would be to define and describe the scope of the problem of financial exploitation of the elderly and to provide an estimate of the number and type of financial transactions considered to constitute financial exploitation faced by older individuals. The study shall also examine the adequacy of current Federal and State legal protections to prevent such exploitation. Not later than 18 months after November 13, 2000, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report, which shall include— The Assistant Secretary shall develop accountability measures to ensure the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this section. The Assistant Secretary shall evaluate the activities carried out under this section, using funds made available under section 3017(h) of this title. In order to receive funds made available to carry out this section, an entity shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.