§1397k Elder Justice Coordinating Council

Summary

Creates an Elder Justice Coordinating Council inside the Office of the Secretary. The Secretary (or a designee) is the Chair. The Attorney General (or a designee) and heads of federal departments or agencies the Chair names that have duties about elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation are members. Members must be federal officers or employees. Vacancies do not stop the Council and are filled the same way as the original appointments. The Chair schedules at least two meetings a year. The Council must give the Secretary recommendations to coordinate HHS, the Department of Justice, and other federal, state, local, and private groups working on elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other crimes against older people. Not later than 2 years after March 23, 2010, and every 2 years after that, the Council must send a report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees describing its work, achievements, challenges, and any recommended laws or actions. Under section 1397j–1(a), the Council can request information from federal agencies and may use the U.S. mail. Members are not paid for Council work but may get travel and per diem at standard federal rates, and the Secretary may accept voluntary unpaid services. Federal employees may be detailed to the Council without reimbursement and without losing civil service status. Section 1013 of title 5 does not apply. Funds as needed may be appropriated.