[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1070 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1070

To amend the Social Security Act to enhance the social security of the 
   Nation by ensuring adequate public-private infrastructure and to 
 resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder 
       abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 29, 2007

    Mr. Hatch (for himself, Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Kohl) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
                          Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Social Security Act to enhance the social security of the 
   Nation by ensuring adequate public-private infrastructure and to 
 resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder 
       abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Elder Justice 
Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Elder Justice.
                      ``Subtitle 2--Elder Justice

        ``Sec. 2011. Definitions.
        ``Sec. 2012. General provisions.
    ``Part A--National Coordination of Elder Justice Activities and 
 ``subpart 1--elder justice coordinating council and advisory board on 
                 elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation
        ``Sec. 2021. Elder Justice Coordinating Council.
        ``Sec. 2022. Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and 
                            Exploitation.
        ``Sec. 2023. Research protections.
  ``subpart 2--elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation forensic centers
        ``Sec. 2031. Establishment and support of elder abuse, neglect, 
                            and Exploitation forensic Centers.
              ``Part B--Programs To Promote Elder Justice

        ``Sec. 2041. Enhancement of long-term care.
        ``Sec. 2042. Adult protective services functions and grant 
                            programs.
        ``Sec. 2043. Long-term care ombudsman program grants and 
                            training.
        ``Sec. 2044. Provision of information regarding, and 
                            evaluations of, elder justice programs.
        ``Sec. 2045. Report.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The proportion of the United States population age 60 
        years or older will drastically increase in the next 30 years 
        as more than 76,000,000 baby boomers approach retirement and 
        old age.
            (2) Each year, anywhere between 500,000 and 5,000,000 
        elders in the United States are abused, neglected, or 
        exploited.
            (3) Elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation have no 
        boundaries, and cross all racial, social class, gender, and 
        geographic lines.
            (4) Victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation are 
        not only subject to injury from mistreatment and neglect, they 
        are also 3.1 times more likely than elders who were not victims 
        of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation to die at an earlier 
        age than expected.
            (5) There is a general dearth of data as to the nature and 
        scope of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. In recognition 
        of the need to improve data collection efforts with respect to 
        elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, Congress required the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study by 
        the end of 2008 on establishing a uniform national database on 
        elder abuse under section 405 of title IV of Division C of the 
        Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-432).
            (6) Despite the dearth of data in the field, experts agree 
        that most cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation are 
        never reported and that abuse, neglect, and exploitation 
        shorten a victim's life, often triggering a downward spiral of 
        an otherwise productive, self-sufficient elder's life. Programs 
        addressing other difficult issues such as domestic violence and 
        child abuse and neglect have demonstrated the need for a 
        multifaceted law, combining public health, social service, and 
        law enforcement approaches.
            (7) For over 20 years, Congress has been presented with 
        facts and testimony calling for a coordinated Federal effort to 
        combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
            (8) The Federal Government has been slow to respond to the 
        needs of victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation or 
        to undertake prevention efforts.
            (9) No Federal law has been enacted that adequately and 
        comprehensively addresses the issues of elder abuse, neglect, 
        and exploitation and there are very limited resources available 
        to those in the field that directly deal with the issues.
            (10) Differences in State laws and practices in the areas 
        of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation lead to significant 
        disparities in prevention, protective and social services, 
        treatment systems, and law enforcement, and lead to other 
        inequities.
            (11) The Federal Government has played an important role in 
        promoting research, training, public safety, and data 
        collection, and the identification, development, and 
        dissemination of promising health care, social, and protective 
        services, and law enforcement practices, relating to child 
        abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and violence against 
        women. The Federal Government should promote similar efforts 
        and protections relating to elder abuse, neglect, and 
        exploitation.
            (12) The Federal Government should provide leadership and 
        assist States and communities in their efforts to protect 
        elders in the United States by--
                    (A) promoting coordinated planning among all levels 
                of government;
                    (B) generating and sharing knowledge relevant to 
                protecting elders;
                    (C) providing leadership to combat the abuse, 
                neglect, and exploitation of the Nation's elders; and
                    (D) providing resources to States and communities 
                to promote elder justice.
            (13) The problem of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation 
        requires a comprehensive approach that--
                    (A) integrates the work of health, legal, and 
                social service agencies and organizations;
                    (B) emphasizes the need for prevention, reporting, 
                investigation, assessment, treatment, and prosecution 
                of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation at all levels 
                of government;
                    (C) ensures that sufficient numbers of properly 
                trained personnel with specialized knowledge are in 
                place to--
                            (i) treat, assess, and provide services 
                        relating to elder abuse, neglect, and 
                        exploitation; and
                            (ii) carry out elder protection duties;
                    (D) is sensitive to ethnic and cultural diversity;
                    (E) recognizes the role of mental health, 
                disability, dementia, substance abuse, medication 
                mismanagement, and family dysfunction problems in 
                increasing and exacerbating elder abuse, neglect, and 
                exploitation; and
                    (F) balances elders' right to self-determination 
                with society's responsibility to protect elders.
            (14) The human, social, and economic cost of elder abuse, 
        neglect, and exploitation is high and includes unnecessary 
        expenditures of funds from many public programs.
            (15) The failure to coordinate activities relating to, and 
        comprehensively prevent and treat, elder abuse, neglect, and 
        exploitation threatens the future and well-being of millions of 
        elders in the United States.
            (16) All elements of society in the United States have a 
        shared responsibility in responding to a national problem of 
        elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To enhance the social security of the Nation by 
        ensuring adequate public-private infrastructure and resolving 
        to prevent, detect, treat, understand, and intervene in, and 
        where appropriate, aid in the prosecution of, elder abuse, 
        neglect, and exploitation.
            (2) To bring a comprehensive approach to preventing and 
        combating elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, a long 
        invisible problem that afflicts the most vulnerable among the 
        aging population of the United States.
            (3) To raise the issue of elder abuse, neglect, and 
        exploitation to national attention, and to create the 
        infrastructure at the Federal, State, and local levels, to 
        ensure that individuals and organizations on the front lines, 
        who are fighting elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation with 
        scarce resources and fragmented systems, have the resources and 
        information needed to carry out their fight.
            (4) To bring a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to 
        elder justice.
            (5) To set in motion research and data collection to fill 
        gaps in knowledge about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
            (6) To supplement the activities of service providers and 
        programs, to enhance training, and to leverage scarce resources 
        efficiently, in order to ensure that elder justice receives the 
        attention it deserves as the Nation's population ages.
            (7) To recognize and address the role of mental health, 
        disability, dementia, substance abuse, medication 
        mismanagement, and family dysfunction problems in increasing 
        and exacerbating elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
            (8) To create short- and long-term strategic plans for the 
        development and coordination of elder justice research, 
        programs, studies, training, and other efforts nationwide.
            (9) To promote collaborative efforts and diminish overlap 
        and gaps in efforts in developing the important field of elder 
        justice.
            (10) To honor and respect the right of all individuals with 
        diminished capacity to decisionmaking autonomy, self-
        determination, and dignity of choice.
            (11) To respect the wishes of individuals with diminished 
        capacity and their family members in providing supportive 
        services and care plans intended to protect elders from abuse, 
        neglect (including self-neglect), and exploitation.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    Except as otherwise specifically provided, any term that is defined 
in section 2011 of the Social Security Act (as added by section 5(a)) 
and is used in this Act has the meaning given such term by such 
section.

SEC. 5. ELDER JUSTICE.

    (a) Elder Justice.--
            (1) In general.--Title XX of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1397 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) in the heading, by inserting ``AND ELDER 
                JUSTICE'' after ``SOCIAL SERVICES'';
                    (B) by inserting before section 2001 the following:

      ``Subtitle 1--Block Grants to States for Social Services'';

                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:

                      ``Subtitle 2--Elder Justice

``SEC. 2011. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subtitle:
            ``(1) Abuse.--The term `abuse' means the knowing infliction 
        of physical or psychological harm or the knowing deprivation of 
        goods or services that are necessary to meet essential needs or 
        to avoid physical or psychological harm.
            ``(2) Adult protective services.--The term `adult 
        protective services' means such services provided to adults as 
        the Secretary may specify and includes services such as--
                    ``(A) disseminating reports of adult abuse, 
                neglect, or exploitation;
                    ``(B) investigating the reports described in 
                subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) case planning, monitoring, evaluation, and 
                other case work and services; and
                    ``(D) providing, arranging for, or facilitating the 
                provision of medical, social service, economic, legal, 
                housing, law enforcement, or other protective, 
                emergency, or support services.
            ``(3) Caregiver.--The term `caregiver' means an individual 
        who has the responsibility for the care of an elder, either 
        voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for care, or as 
        a result of the operation of law, and means a family member or 
        other individual who provides (on behalf of such individual or 
        of a public or private agency, organization, or institution) 
        compensated or uncompensated care to an elder who needs 
        supportive services in any setting.
            ``(4) Direct care.--The term `direct care' means care by an 
        employee or contractor who provides assistance or long-term 
        care services to a recipient.
            ``(5) Elder.--The term `elder' means an individual age 60 
        or older.
            ``(6) Elder justice.--The term `elder justice' means--
                    ``(A) from a societal perspective, efforts to--
                            ``(i) prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, 
                        and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and 
                        exploitation; and
                            ``(ii) protect elders with diminished 
                        capacity while maximizing their autonomy; and
                    ``(B) from an individual perspective, the 
                recognition of an elder's rights, including the right 
                to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
            ``(7) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
        State or local government agency, Indian tribe or tribal 
        organization, or any other public or private entity that is 
        engaged in and has expertise in issues relating to elder 
        justice or in a field necessary to promote elder justice 
        efforts.
            ``(8) Exploitation.--The term `exploitation' means the 
        fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized, or improper act 
        or process of an individual, including a caregiver or 
        fiduciary, that uses the resources of an elder for monetary or 
        personal benefit, profit, or gain, or that results in depriving 
        an elder of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, 
        belongings, or assets.
            ``(9) Fiduciary.--The term `fiduciary'--
                    ``(A) means a person or entity with the legal 
                responsibility--
                            ``(i) to make decisions on behalf of and 
                        for the benefit of another person; and
                            ``(ii) to act in good faith and with 
                        fairness; and
                    ``(B) includes a trustee, a guardian, a 
                conservator, an executor, an agent under a financial 
                power of attorney or health care power of attorney, or 
                a representative payee.
            ``(10) Grant.--The term `grant' includes a contract, 
        cooperative agreement, or other mechanism for providing 
        financial assistance.
            ``(11) 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, or by a similar term, as a surrogate 
                decisionmaker;
                    ``(B) the manner in which the court-appointed 
                surrogate decisionmaker carries out duties to the 
                individual and the court; or
                    ``(C) the manner in which the court exercises 
                oversight of the surrogate decisionmaker.
            ``(12) Indian tribe.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
                meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian 
                Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
                U.S.C. 450b).
                    ``(B) Inclusion of pueblo and rancheria.--The term 
                `Indian tribe' includes any Pueblo or Rancheria.
            ``(13) Law enforcement.--The term `law enforcement' means 
        the full range of potential responders to elder abuse, neglect, 
        and exploitation including--
                    ``(A) police, sheriffs, detectives, public safety 
                officers, and corrections personnel;
                    ``(B) prosecutors;
                    ``(C) medical examiners;
                    ``(D) investigators; and
                    ``(E) coroners.
            ``(14) 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 of capacity for self-care 
                due to illness, disability, or vulnerability.
                    ``(B) Loss of capacity for self-care.--For purposes 
                of subparagraph (A), the term `loss of capacity for 
                self-care' means an inability to engage in 1 or more 
                activities of daily living, including eating, dressing, 
                bathing, and management of one's financial affairs.
            ``(15) Long-term care facility.--The term `long-term care 
        facility' means a residential care provider that arranges for, 
        or directly provides, long-term care.
            ``(16) Neglect.--The term `neglect' means--
                    ``(A) the failure of a caregiver or fiduciary to 
                provide the goods or services that are necessary to 
                maintain the health or safety of an elder; or
                    ``(B) self-neglect.
            ``(17) Nursing facility.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `nursing facility' has 
                the meaning given such term under section 1919(a).
                    ``(B) Inclusion of skilled nursing facility.--The 
                term `nursing facility' includes a skilled nursing 
                facility (as defined in section 1819(a)).
            ``(18) 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) obtaining essential food, clothing, shelter, 
                and medical care;
                    ``(B) obtaining goods and services necessary to 
                maintain physical health, mental health, or general 
                safety; or
                    ``(C) managing one's own financial affairs.
            ``(19) Serious bodily injury.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `serious bodily injury' 
                means an injury--
                            ``(i) involving extreme physical pain;
                            ``(ii) involving substantial risk of death;
                            ``(iii) involving protracted loss or 
                        impairment of the function of a bodily member, 
                        organ, or mental faculty; or
                            ``(iv) requiring medical intervention such 
                        as surgery, hospitalization, or physical 
                        rehabilitation.
                    ``(B) Criminal sexual abuse.--Serious bodily injury 
                shall be considered to have occurred if the conduct 
                causing the injury is conduct described in section 2241 
                (relating to aggravated sexual abuse) or 2242 (relating 
                to sexual abuse) of title 18, United States Code, or 
                any similar offense under State law.
            ``(20) Social.--The term `social', when used with respect 
        to a service, includes adult protective services.
            ``(21) State legal assistance developer.--The term `State 
        legal assistance developer' means an individual described in 
        section 731 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.
            ``(22) State long-term care ombudsman.--The term `State 
        Long-Term Care Ombudsman' means the State Long-Term Care 
        Ombudsman described in section 712(a)(2) of the Older Americans 
        Act of 1965.

``SEC. 2012. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    ``(a) Protection of Privacy.--In pursuing activities under this 
subtitle, the Secretary 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 and applicable State and local privacy regulations.
    ``(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subtitle shall be 
construed to interfere with or abridge an elder's right to practice his 
or her religion through reliance on prayer alone for healing when this 
choice--
            ``(1) is contemporaneously expressed, either orally or in 
        writing, with respect to a specific illness or injury which the 
        elder has at the time of the decision by an elder who is 
        competent at the time of the decision;
            ``(2) is previously set forth in a living will, health care 
        proxy, or other advance directive document that is validly 
        executed and applied under State law; or
            ``(3) may be unambiguously deduced from the elder's life 
        history.

    ``PART A--NATIONAL COORDINATION OF ELDER JUSTICE ACTIVITIES AND 
                                RESEARCH

 ``Subpart 1--Elder Justice Coordinating Council and Advisory Board on 
                 Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

``SEC. 2021. ELDER JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Office of the 
Secretary an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (in this section 
referred to as the `Council').
    ``(b) Membership.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Council shall be composed of the 
        following members:
                    ``(A) The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee).
                    ``(B) The Attorney General (or the Attorney 
                General's designee).
                    ``(C) The head of each Federal department or agency 
                or other governmental entity identified by the Chair 
                referred to in subsection (d) as having 
                responsibilities, or administering programs, relating 
                to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
            ``(2) Requirement.--Each member of the Council shall be an 
        officer or employee of the Federal Government.
    ``(c) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Council shall not affect its 
powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment was made.
    ``(d) Chair.--The member described in subsection (b)(1)(A) shall be 
Chair of the Council.
    ``(e) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at least 2 times per year, 
as determined by the Chair.
    ``(f) Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Council shall make recommendations 
        to the Secretary for the coordination of activities of the 
        Department of Health 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 and other crimes against elders.
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than the date that is 2 years 
        after the date of enactment of the Elder Justice Act 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 of the House of 
        Representatives a report that--
                    ``(A) describes the activities and accomplishments 
                of, and challenges faced by--
                            ``(i) the Council; and
                            ``(ii) the entities represented on the 
                        Council; and
                    ``(B) makes such recommendations for legislation, 
                model laws, or other action as the Council determines 
                to be appropriate.
    ``(g) Powers of the Council.--
            ``(1) Information from federal agencies.--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 of the Chair of the Council, the head of such 
        department or agency shall furnish such information to the 
        Council.
            ``(2) Postal services.--The Council may use the United 
        States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
        as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
    ``(h) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Council shall not 
receive compensation for the performance of services for the Council. 
The members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 
away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance 
of services for the Council. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 
United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and 
uncompensated services of the members of the Council.
    ``(i) Detail of Government Employees.--Any Federal Government 
employee may be detailed to the Council without reimbursement, and such 
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or 
privilege.
    ``(j) Status as Permanent Council.--Section 14 of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.

``SEC. 2022. ADVISORY BOARD ON ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established a board to be known as 
the `Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation' (in this 
section referred to as the `Advisory Board') to create short- and long-
term multidisciplinary strategic plans for the development of the field 
of elder justice and to make recommendations to the Elder Justice 
Coordinating Council established under section 2021.
    ``(b) Composition.--The Advisory Board shall be composed of 27 
members appointed by the Secretary from among members of the general 
public who are individuals with experience and expertise in elder 
abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention, detection, treatment, 
intervention, or prosecution.
    ``(c) Solicitation of Nominations.--The Secretary shall publish a 
notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for the 
appointment of members of the Advisory Board under subsection (b).
    ``(d) Terms.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each member of the Advisory Board shall 
        be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that, of the members 
        first appointed--
                    ``(A) 9 shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;
                    ``(B) 9 shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; 
                and
                    ``(C) 9 shall be appointed for a term of 1 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 appointment was 
                made.
                    ``(B) Filling unexpired term.--An individual chosen 
                to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired 
                term of the member replaced.
            ``(3) Expiration of terms.--The term of any member shall 
        not expire before the date on which the member's successor 
        takes office.
    ``(e) Election of Officers.--The Advisory Board shall elect a Chair 
and Vice Chair from among its members. The Advisory Board shall elect 
its initial Chair and Vice Chair at its initial meeting.
    ``(f) Duties.--
            ``(1) Enhance communication on promoting 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 preventing abuse and neglect 
        in, long-term care.
            ``(2) Collaborative efforts to develop consensus around the 
        management of certain quality-related factors.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall 
                establish multidisciplinary panels to address, and 
                develop consensus on, subjects relating to improving 
                the quality of long-term care. At least 1 such panel 
                shall address, and develop consensus on, methods for 
                managing resident-to-resident abuse in long-term care.
                    ``(B) Activities conducted.--The multidisciplinary 
                panels established under subparagraph (A) shall examine 
                relevant research and data, identify best practices 
                with respect to the subject of the panel, determine the 
                best way to carry out those best practices in a 
                practical and feasible manner, and determine an 
                effective manner of distributing information on such 
                subject.
            ``(3) Report.--Not later than the date that is 18 months 
        after the date of enactment of the Elder Justice Act, and 
        annually thereafter, the Advisory Board shall prepare and 
        submit to the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, the Committee 
        on Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Ways and Means 
        and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives a report containing--
                    ``(A) information on the status of Federal, State, 
                and local public and private elder justice activities;
                    ``(B) recommendations (including recommended 
                priorities) regarding--
                            ``(i) elder justice programs, research, 
                        training, services, practice, enforcement, and 
                        coordination;
                            ``(ii) coordination between entities 
                        pursuing elder justice 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 and neglect; and
                            ``(iii) activities relating to adult 
                        fiduciary systems, including guardianship and 
                        other fiduciary arrangements;
                    ``(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 of elder abuse, neglect, and 
                exploitation;
                    ``(D) recommendations on methods for the most 
                effective coordinated national data collection with 
                respect to elder justice, and elder abuse, neglect, and 
                exploitation; and
                    ``(E) recommendations for a multidisciplinary 
                strategic plan to guide the effective and efficient 
                development of the field of elder justice.
    ``(g) Powers of the Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Information from federal agencies.--Subject to the 
        requirements of section 2012(a), the Advisory Board may secure 
        directly from any Federal department or agency such information 
        as the Advisory Board considers necessary to carry out this 
        section. Upon request of the Chair of the Advisory Board, the 
        head of such department or agency shall furnish such 
        information to the Advisory Board.
            ``(2) Sharing of data and reports.--The Advisory Board may 
        request from any entity pursuing elder justice activities under 
        the Elder Justice Act or an amendment made by that Act, any 
        data, reports, or recommendations generated in connection with 
        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 of the Federal 
        Government.
    ``(h) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Advisory Board shall not 
receive compensation for the performance of services 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 of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular 
places of business in the performance of services for the Advisory 
Board. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 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 may be detailed to the Advisory Board without reimbursement, 
and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service 
status or privilege.
    ``(j) Status as Permanent Advisory Committee.--Section 14 of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
advisory board.

``SEC. 2023. RESEARCH PROTECTIONS.

    ``(a) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall promulgate guidelines to 
assist researchers working in the area of elder abuse, neglect, and 
exploitation, with issues relating to human subject protections.
    ``(b) Definition of Legally Authorized Representative for 
Application of Regulations.--For purposes of the application of subpart 
A of part 46 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, to research 
conducted under this subpart, the term `legally authorized 
representative' means, unless otherwise provided by law, the individual 
or judicial or other body authorized under the applicable law to 
consent to medical treatment on behalf of another person.

``SEC. 2024. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subpart--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2008, $6,500,000; and
            ``(2) for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011, 
        $7,000,000.

  ``Subpart 2--Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Forensic Centers

``SEC. 2031. ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT OF ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND 
              EXPLOITATION FORENSIC CENTERS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney 
General, shall make grants to eligible entities to establish and 
operate stationary and mobile forensic centers, to develop forensic 
expertise regarding, and provide services relating to, elder abuse, 
neglect, and exploitation.
    ``(b) Stationary Forensic Centers.--The Secretary shall make 4 of 
the grants described in subsection (a) to institutions of higher 
education with demonstrated expertise in forensics or commitment to 
preventing or treating elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, to 
establish and operate stationary forensic centers.
    ``(c) Mobile Centers.--The Secretary shall make 6 of the grants 
described in subsection (a) to appropriate entities to establish and 
operate mobile forensic centers.
    ``(d) Authorized Activities.--
            ``(1) Development of forensic markers and methodologies.--
        An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section 
        shall use funds made available through the grant to assist in 
        determining whether abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred 
        and whether a crime was committed and to conduct research to 
        describe and disseminate information on--
                    ``(A) forensic markers that indicate a case in 
                which elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation may have 
                occurred; and
                    ``(B) methodologies for determining, in such a 
                case, when and how health care, emergency service, 
                social and protective services, and legal service 
                providers should intervene and when the providers 
                should report the case to law enforcement authorities.
            ``(2) Development of forensic expertise.--An eligible 
        entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds 
        made available through the grant to develop forensic expertise 
        regarding elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in order to 
        provide medical and forensic evaluation, therapeutic 
        intervention, victim support and advocacy, case review, and 
        case tracking.
            ``(3) Collection of evidence.--The Secretary, in 
        coordination with the Attorney General, shall use data made 
        available by grant recipients under this section to develop the 
        capacity of geriatric health care professionals and law 
        enforcement to collect forensic evidence, including collecting 
        forensic evidence relating to a potential determination of 
        elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
    ``(e) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2008, $4,000,000;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2009, $6,000,000; and
            ``(3) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, $8,000,000.

              ``PART B--PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE ELDER JUSTICE

``SEC. 2041. ENHANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM CARE.

    ``(a) Grants and Incentives for Long-Term Care Staffing.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out 
        activities, including activities described in paragraphs (2) 
        and (3), to provide incentives for individuals to train for, 
        seek, and maintain employment providing direct care in a long-
        term care facility.
            ``(2) Specific programs to enhance training, recruitment, 
        and retention of staff.--
                    ``(A) Coordination with secretary of labor to 
                recruit and train long-term care staff.--The Secretary 
                shall coordinate activities under this subsection with 
                the Secretary of Labor in order to provide incentives 
                for individuals to train for and seek employment 
                providing direct care in a long-term care facility.
                    ``(B) Career ladders and wage or benefit increases 
                to increase staffing in long-term care facilities.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall make 
                        grants to long-term care facilities to carry 
                        out programs through which the facilities--
                                    ``(I) offer, to employees who 
                                provide direct care to residents of a 
                                long-term care facility, continuing 
                                training and varying levels of 
                                certification, based on observed 
                                clinical care practices and the amount 
                                of time the employees spend providing 
                                direct care; and
                                    ``(II) provide, or make 
                                arrangements to provide, bonuses or 
                                other increased compensation or 
                                benefits to employees who achieve 
                                certification under such a program.
                            ``(ii) Application.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a grant under this subparagraph, a 
                        long-term care facility shall submit an 
                        application to the Secretary at such time, in 
                        such manner, and containing such information as 
                        the Secretary may require (which may include 
                        evidence of consultation with the State in 
                        which the long-term care facility is located 
                        with respect to carrying out activities funded 
                        under the grant).
                            ``(iii) Authority to limit number of 
                        applicants.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall 
                        be construed as prohibiting the Secretary from 
                        limiting the number of applicants for a grant 
                        under this subparagraph.
            ``(3) Specific programs to improve management practices.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants 
                to long-term care facilities to enable the facilities 
                to provide training and technical assistance to 
                eligible employees.
                    ``(B) Authorized activities.--A long-term care 
                facility that receives a grant under subparagraph (A) 
                shall use funds made available through the grant to 
                provide training and technical assistance to eligible 
                employees regarding management practices using methods 
                that are demonstrated to promote retention of 
                individuals who provide direct care to residents of the 
                long-term care facility, such as--
                            ``(i) the establishment of standard human 
                        resource policies that reward high performance, 
                        including policies that provide for improved 
                        wages and benefits on the basis of job reviews;
                            ``(ii) the establishment of motivational 
                        and thoughtful work organization practices;
                            ``(iii) the creation of a workplace culture 
                        that respects and values caregivers and their 
                        needs;
                            ``(iv) the promotion of a workplace culture 
                        that respects the rights of residents of a 
                        long-term care facility and results in improved 
                        care for the residents; and
                            ``(v) the establishment of other programs 
                        that promote the provision of high quality 
                        care, such as a continuing education program 
                        that provides additional hours of training, 
                        including on-the-job training, for employees 
                        who are certified nurse aides.
                    ``(C) Application.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant under this paragraph, a long-term care facility 
                shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Secretary may require (which may include 
                evidence of consultation with the State in which the 
                long-term care facility is located with respect to 
                carrying out activities funded under the grant).
                    ``(D) Authority to limit number of applicants.--
                Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as 
                prohibiting the Secretary from limiting the number of 
                applicants for a grant under this paragraph.
                    ``(E) Eligible employee defined.--In this 
                paragraph, the term `eligible employee' means an 
                individual who establishes or implements management 
                practices applicable with respect to individuals who 
                provide direct care to residents of a long-term care 
                facility and includes administrators, directors of 
                nursing, staff developers, and charge nurses.
            ``(4) Accountability measures.--The Secretary shall develop 
        accountability measures to ensure that the activities conducted 
        using funds made available under this subsection benefit 
        eligible employees and increase the stability of the long-term 
        care workforce.
    ``(b) Informatics Systems Grant Program.--
            ``(1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        make grants to long-term care facilities for the purpose of 
        assisting such entities in offsetting the costs related to 
        purchasing, leasing, developing, and implementing standardized 
        clinical health care informatics systems designed to improve 
        patient safety and reduce adverse events and health care 
        complications resulting from medication errors.
            ``(2) Use of grant funds.--Funds provided under grants 
        under this subsection may be used for any of the following:
                    ``(A) Purchasing, leasing, and installing computer 
                software and hardware, including handheld computer 
                technologies.
                    ``(B) Making improvements to existing computer 
                software and hardware.
                    ``(C) Making upgrades and other improvements to 
                existing computer software and hardware to enable e-
                prescribing.
                    ``(D) Providing education and training to eligible 
                long-term care facility staff on the use of technology 
                to implement the electronic transmission of 
                prescription and patient information.
            ``(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, a long-term care facility shall submit an 
        application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Secretary may require (which 
        may include evidence of consultation with the State in which 
        the long-term care facility is located with respect to carrying 
        out activities funded under the grant).
            ``(4) Authority to limit number of applicants.--Nothing in 
        this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the Secretary 
        from limiting the number of applicants for a grant under this 
        subsection.
            ``(5) Accountability measures.--The Secretary shall develop 
        accountability measures to ensure that the activities conducted 
        using funds made available under this subsection help improve 
        patient safety and reduce adverse events and health care 
        complications resulting from medication errors.
    ``(c) Inclusion of Adjudicated Crimes on Nursing Home Compare 
Website.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 
Elder Justice Act, the Secretary shall ensure that the Department of 
Health and Human Services includes, as part of the information provided 
for comparison of nursing facilities on the official Internet website 
of the Federal Government for Medicare beneficiaries (commonly referred 
to as the `Nursing Home Compare' Medicare website), the number of 
adjudicated instances of criminal violations by a nursing facility or 
crimes committed by an employee of a nursing facility--
            ``(1) that were committed inside of the facility; and
            ``(2) with respect to such instances of violations or 
        crimes committed outside of the facility, that were the 
        violations or crimes of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, 
        criminal sexual abuse of an elder, or other violations or 
        crimes that resulted in the serious bodily injury of an elder.
    ``(d) Development of Consumer Rights Information Page on Nursing 
Home Compare Website.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Elder Justice Act, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
Department of Health and Human Services, as part of the information 
provided for comparison of nursing facilities on the Nursing Home 
Compare Medicare website develops and includes a consumer rights 
information page that contains links to descriptions of, and 
information with respect to, the following:
            ``(1) The documentation on nursing facilities that is 
        available to the public.
            ``(2) General information and tips on choosing a nursing 
        facility that meets the needs of the individual.
            ``(3) General information on consumer rights with respect 
        to nursing facilities.
            ``(4) The nursing facility survey process (on a national 
        and State-specific basis).
            ``(5) On a State-specific basis, the services available 
        through the State long-term care ombudsman for such State.
    ``(e) Development and Adoption of Standards for Transactions 
Involving Clinical Data by Long-Term Care Facilities.--
            ``(1) Standards.--The Secretary shall develop and adopt 
        uniform open electronic standards for transactions involving 
        clinical data by long-term care facilities. Such standards 
        shall include messaging and nomenclature standards.
            ``(2) Compatibility with other standards.--The standards 
        developed and adopted under paragraph (1) shall be compatible 
        with standards established under part C of title XI, standards 
        established under subsections (b)(2)(B)(i) and (e)(4) of 
        section 1860D-4, and with general health information technology 
        standards.
            ``(3) Electronic submission of data to the secretary.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 10 years after 
                the date of enactment of the Elder Justice Act, the 
                Secretary shall have procedures in place to accept the 
                optional electronic submission of clinical data by 
                long-term care facilities pursuant to the standards 
                developed and adopted under paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
                subsection shall be construed to require a long-term 
                care facility to submit clinical data electronically to 
                the Secretary.
    ``(f) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to 
carry out subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section. Such 
regulations shall require a State, as a condition of the receipt of 
funds under this part, to conduct such data collection and reporting as 
the Secretary determines are necessary to satisfy the requirements of 
such subsections.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2008, $20,000,000;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2009, $17,500,000; and
            ``(3) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, $15,000,000.

``SEC. 2042. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES FUNCTIONS AND GRANT PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Secretarial Responsibilities.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
        Department of Health and Human Services--
                    ``(A) provides funding authorized by this part to 
                State and local adult protective services offices that 
                investigate reports of the abuse, neglect, and 
                exploitation of elders;
                    ``(B) collects and disseminates data annually 
                relating to the abuse, exploitation, and neglect of 
                elders in coordination with the Department of Justice;
                    ``(C) develops and disseminates information on best 
                practices regarding, and provides training on, carrying 
                out adult protective services;
                    ``(D) conducts research related to the provision of 
                adult protective services; and
                    ``(E) provides technical assistance to States and 
                other entities that provide or fund the provision of 
                adult protective services, including through grants 
                made under subsections (b) and (c).
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, 
        $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $4,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2009 through 2011.
    ``(b) Grants To Enhance the Provision of Adult Protective 
Services.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established an adult 
        protective services grant program under which the Secretary 
        shall annually award grants to States in the amounts calculated 
        under paragraph (2) for the purposes of enhancing adult 
        protective services provided by States and local units of 
        government.
            ``(2) Amount of payment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
                appropriations and subparagraphs (B) and (C), the 
                amount paid to a State for a fiscal year under the 
                program under this subsection shall equal the amount 
                appropriated for that year to carry out this subsection 
                multiplied by the percentage of the total number of 
                elders who reside in the United States who reside in 
                that State.
                    ``(B) Guaranteed minimum payment amount.--
                            ``(i) 50 states.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        if the amount determined under subparagraph (A) 
                        for a State for a fiscal year is less than 0.75 
                        percent of the amount appropriated for such 
                        year, the Secretary shall increase such 
                        determined amount so that the total amount paid 
                        under this subsection to the State for the year 
                        is equal to 0.75 percent of the amount so 
                        appropriated.
                            ``(ii) Territories.--In the case of a State 
                        other than 1 of the 50 States, clause (i) shall 
                        be applied as if each reference to `0.75' were 
                        a reference to `0.1'.
                    ``(C) Pro rata reductions.--The Secretary shall 
                make such pro rata reductions to the amounts described 
                in subparagraph (A) as are necessary to comply with the 
                requirements of subparagraph (B).
            ``(3) Authorized activities.--
                    ``(A) Adult protective services.--Funds made 
                available pursuant to this subsection may only be used 
                by States and local units of government to provide 
                adult protective services and may not be used for any 
                other purpose.
                    ``(B) Use by agency.--Each State receiving funds 
                pursuant to this subsection shall provide such funds to 
                the agency or unit of State government having legal 
                responsibility for providing adult protective services 
                within the State.
                    ``(C) Supplement not supplant.--Each State or local 
                unit of government shall use funds made available 
                pursuant to this subsection to supplement and not 
                supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds 
                expended to provide adult protective services in the 
                State.
            ``(4) State reports.--Each State receiving funds under this 
        subsection shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in 
        such manner as the Secretary may require, a report on the 
        number of elders served by the grants awarded under this 
        subsection.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, 
        $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.
    ``(c) State Demonstration Programs.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
        States for the purposes of conducting demonstration programs in 
        accordance with paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Demonstration programs.--Funds made available 
        pursuant to this subsection may be used by States and local 
        units of government to conduct demonstration programs that 
        test--
                    ``(A) training modules developed for the purpose of 
                detecting or preventing elder abuse;
                    ``(B) methods to detect or prevent financial 
                exploitation of elders;
                    ``(C) methods to detect elder abuse;
                    ``(D) whether training on elder abuse forensics 
                enhances the detection of elder abuse by employees of 
                the State or local unit of government; or
                    ``(E) other matters relating to the detection or 
                prevention of elder abuse.
            ``(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, a State shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(4) State reports.--Each State that receives funds under 
        this subsection shall submit a report to the Secretary at such 
        time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require on the results of the demonstration 
        program conducted by the State using funds made available under 
        this subsection.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, 
        $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

``SEC. 2043. LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM GRANTS AND TRAINING.

    ``(a) Grants To Support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to 
        eligible entities with relevant expertise and experience in 
        abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities or long-term 
        care ombudsman programs and responsibilities, for the purpose 
        of--
                    ``(A) improving the capacity of State long-term 
                care ombudsman programs to respond to and resolve 
                complaints about abuse and neglect;
                    ``(B) conducting pilot programs with State long-
                term care ombudsman offices or local ombudsman 
                entities; and
                    ``(C) providing support for such State long-term 
                care ombudsman programs and such pilot programs (such 
                as through the establishment of a national long-term 
                care ombudsman resource center).
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
                    ``(A) for fiscal year 2008, $5,000,000;
                    ``(B) for fiscal year 2009, $7,500,000; and
                    ``(C) for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011, 
                $10,000,000.
    ``(b) Ombudsman Training Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish programs 
        to provide and improve ombudsman training with respect to elder 
        abuse, neglect, and exploitation for national organizations and 
        State long-term care ombudsman programs.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, for 
        each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, $10,000,000.

``SEC. 2044. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING, AND EVALUATIONS OF, 
              ELDER JUSTICE PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Provision of Information.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this part, an applicant shall agree--
            ``(1) except as provided in paragraph (2), to provide the 
        eligible entity conducting an evaluation under subsection (b) 
        of the activities funded through the grant with such 
        information as the eligible entity may require in order to 
        conduct such evaluation; or
            ``(2) in the case of an applicant for a grant under section 
        2041(b), to provide the Secretary with such information as the 
        Secretary may require to conduct an evaluation or audit under 
        subsection (c).
    ``(b) Use of Eligible Entities To Conduct Evaluations.--
            ``(1) Evaluations required.--Except as provided in 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) reserve a portion (not less than 2 percent) 
                of the funds appropriated with respect to each program 
                carried out under this part; and
                    ``(B) use the funds reserved under subparagraph (A) 
                to provide assistance to eligible entities to conduct 
                evaluations of the activities funded under each program 
                carried out under this part.
            ``(2) Informatics systems grant program not included.--The 
        provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the 
        informatics systems grant program under section 2041(b).
            ``(3) Authorized activities.--A recipient of assistance 
        described in paragraph (1)(B) shall use the funds made 
        available through the assistance to conduct a validated 
        evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities funded under 
        a program carried out under this part.
            ``(4) Applications.--To be eligible to receive assistance 
        under paragraph (1)(B), an entity shall submit an application 
        to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing 
        such information as the Secretary may require, including a 
        proposal for the evaluation.
            ``(5) Reports.--Not later than a date specified by the 
        Secretary, an eligible entity receiving assistance under 
        paragraph (1)(B) shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee 
        on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
        the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Finance of 
        the Senate a report containing the results of the evaluation 
        conducted using such assistance together with such 
        recommendations as the entity determines to be appropriate.
    ``(c) Evaluations and Audits of Informatics Systems Grant Program 
by the Secretary.--
            ``(1) Evaluations.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
        evaluation of the activities funded under the informatics 
        systems grant program under section 2041(b). Such evaluation 
        shall include an evaluation of whether the funding provided 
        under the grant is expended only for the purposes for which it 
        is made.
            ``(2) Audits.--The Secretary shall conduct appropriate 
        audits of grants made under section 2041(b).

``SEC. 2045. REPORT.

    ``Not later than October 1, 2011, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Elder Justice Coordinating Council, the Committee on Ways and Means and 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report--
            ``(1) compiling, summarizing, and analyzing the information 
        contained in the State reports submitted under subsections 
        (b)(4) and (c)(4) of section 2042; and
            ``(2) containing such recommendations for legislative or 
        administrative action as the Secretary determines to be 
        appropriate.''.
            (2) Option for state plan under program for temporary 
        assistance for needy families.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 402(a)(1)(B) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(B)) is amended by 
                adding at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(v) The document shall indicate whether 
                        the State intends to assist individuals to 
                        train for, seek, and maintain employment--
                                    ``(I) providing direct care in a 
                                long-term care facility (as such terms 
                                are defined under section 2011); or
                                    ``(II) in other occupations related 
                                to elder care determined appropriate by 
                                the State for which the State 
                                identifies an unmet need for service 
                                personnel,
                        and, if so, shall include an overview of such 
                        assistance.''.
                    (B) Effective date.--The amendment made by 
                subparagraph (A) shall take effect on October 1, 2008.
    (b) Protecting Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities.--
            (1) National training institute for surveyors.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services shall enter into a contract with an entity for 
                the purpose of establishing and operating a National 
                Training Institute for Federal and State surveyors. 
                Such Institute shall provide and improve the training 
                of surveyors with respect to investigating allegations 
                of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property in 
                programs and long-term care facilities that receive 
                payments under title XVIII or XIX of the Social 
                Security Act.
                    (B) Activities carried out by the institute.--The 
                contract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall 
                require the Institute established and operated under 
                such contract to carry out the following activities:
                            (i) Assess the extent to which State 
                        agencies use specialized surveyors for the 
                        investigation of reported allegations of abuse, 
                        neglect, and misappropriation of property in 
                        such programs and long-term care facilities.
                            (ii) Evaluate how the competencies of 
                        surveyors may be improved to more effectively 
                        investigate reported allegations of such abuse, 
                        neglect, and misappropriation of property, and 
                        provide feedback to Federal and State agencies 
                        on the evaluations conducted.
                            (iii) Provide a national program of 
                        training, tools, and technical assistance to 
                        Federal and State surveyors on investigating 
                        reports of such abuse, neglect, and 
                        misappropriation of property.
                            (iv) Develop and disseminate information on 
                        best practices for the investigation of such 
                        abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of 
                        property.
                            (v) Assess the performance of State 
                        complaint intake systems, in order to ensure 
                        that the intake of complaints occurs 24 hours 
                        per day, 7 days a week (including holidays).
                            (vi) To the extent approved by the 
                        Secretary of Health and Human Services, provide 
                        a national 24 hours per day, 7 days a week 
                        (including holidays), back-up system to State 
                        complaint intake systems in order to ensure 
                        optimum national responsiveness to complaints 
                        of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of 
                        property.
                            (vii) Analyze and report annually on the 
                        following:
                                    (I) The total number and sources of 
                                complaints of such abuse, neglect, and 
                                misappropriation of property.
                                    (II) The extent to which such 
                                complaints are referred to law 
                                enforcement agencies.
                                    (III) General results of Federal 
                                and State investigations of such 
                                complaints.
                            (viii) Conduct a national study of the cost 
                        to State agencies of conducting complaint 
                        investigations of skilled nursing facilities 
                        and nursing facilities under sections 1819 and 
                        1919, respectively, of the Social Security Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1395i-3; 1396r), and making 
                        recommendations to the Secretary of Health and 
                        Human Services with respect to options to 
                        increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness 
                        of such investigations.
                    (C) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
                appropriated to carry out this paragraph, for the 
                period of fiscal years 2008 through 2011, $12,000,000.
            (2) Grants to state survey agencies.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services shall make grants to State agencies that 
                perform surveys of skilled nursing facilities or 
                nursing facilities under sections 1819 or 1919, 
                respectively, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1395i-3; 1395r).
                    (B) Use of funds.--A grant awarded under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be used for the purpose of 
                designing and implementing complaint investigations 
                systems that--
                            (i) promptly prioritize complaints in order 
                        to ensure a rapid response to the most serious 
                        and urgent complaints;
                            (ii) respond to complaints with optimum 
                        effectiveness and timeliness; and
                            (iii) optimize the collaboration between 
                        local authorities, consumers, and providers, 
                        including--
                                    (I) such State agency;
                                    (II) the State Long-Term Care 
                                Ombudsman;
                                    (III) local law enforcement 
                                agencies;
                                    (IV) advocacy and consumer 
                                organizations;
                                    (V) State aging units;
                                    (VI) Area Agencies on Aging; and
                                    (VII) other appropriate entities.
                    (C) Authorization.--There are authorized to be 
                appropriated to carry out this paragraph, for each of 
                fiscal years 2008 through 2011, $5,000,000.
            (3) Reporting of crimes and ensuring safety of residents 
        when federally funded long-term care facilities close.--Part A 
        of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) 
        is amended by adding at the end the following new sections:

``reporting to law enforcement of crimes occurring in federally funded 
                       long-term care facilities

    ``Sec. 1150A.  (a) Determination and Notification.--
            ``(1) Determination.--The owner or operator of each long-
        term care facility that receives Federal funds under this Act 
        shall annually determine whether the facility received at least 
        $10,000 in such Federal funds during the preceding year.
            ``(2) Notification.--If the owner or operator determines 
        under paragraph (1) that the facility received at least $10,000 
        in such Federal funds during the preceding year, such owner or 
        operator shall annually notify each covered individual (as 
        defined in paragraph (3)) of that individual's obligation to 
        comply with the reporting requirements described in subsection 
        (b).
            ``(3) Covered individual defined.--In this section, the 
        term `covered individual' means each individual who is an 
        owner, operator, employee, manager, agent, or contractor of a 
        long-term care facility that is the subject of a determination 
        described in paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Reporting Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each covered individual shall report to 
        the Secretary and 1 or more law enforcement entities for the 
        political subdivision in which the facility is located any 
        reasonable suspicion of a crime (as defined by the law of the 
        applicable political subdivision) against any individual who is 
        a resident of, or is receiving care from, the facility.
            ``(2) Timing.--If the events that cause the suspicion--
                    ``(A) result in serious bodily injury, the 
                individual shall report the suspicion immediately, but 
                not later than 2 hours after forming the suspicion; and
                    ``(B) do not result in serious bodily injury, the 
                individual shall report the suspicion not later than 24 
                hours after forming the suspicion.
    ``(c) Penalties.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a covered individual violates 
        subsection (b)--
                    ``(A) the covered individual shall be subject to a 
                civil money penalty of not more than $200,000; or
                    ``(B) the Secretary shall classify the covered 
                individual as an excluded individual, for a period of 
                not more than 3 years.
            ``(2) Increased harm.--If a covered individual violates 
        subsection (b) and the violation exacerbates the harm to the 
        victim of the crime or results in harm to another individual--
                    ``(A) the covered individual shall be subject to a 
                civil money penalty of not more than $300,000; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary shall classify the covered 
                individual as an excluded individual, for a period of 
                not more than 3 years.
            ``(3) Excluded individual.--During any period for which a 
        covered individual is classified as an excluded individual 
        under paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B), a long-term care facility 
        that employs such individual shall be ineligible to receive 
        Federal funds under this Act.
            ``(4) Extenuating circumstances.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may take into 
                account the financial burden on providers with 
                underserved populations in determining any penalty to 
                be imposed under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Underserved population defined.--In this 
                paragraph, the term `underserved population' means the 
                population of an area designated by the Secretary as an 
                area with a shortage of elder justice programs or a 
                population group designated by the Secretary as having 
                a shortage of such programs. Such areas or groups 
                designated by the Secretary may include--
                            ``(i) areas or groups that are 
                        geographically isolated (such as isolated in a 
                        rural area);
                            ``(ii) racial and ethnic minority 
                        populations; and
                            ``(iii) populations underserved because of 
                        special needs (such as language barriers, 
                        disabilities, alien status, or age).
    ``(d) Additional Penalties for Retaliation.--
            ``(1) In general.--A long-term care facility may not--
                    ``(A) discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, 
                or deny a promotion or other employment-related benefit 
                to an employee, or in any other manner discriminate 
                against an employee in the terms and conditions of 
                employment because of lawful acts done by the employee; 
                or
                    ``(B) file a complaint or a report against a nurse 
                or other employee with the appropriate State 
                professional disciplinary agency because of lawful acts 
                done by the nurse or employee,
        for making a report, causing a report to be made, or for taking 
        steps in furtherance of making a report pursuant to subsection 
        (b)(1).
            ``(2) Penalties for retaliation.--If a long-term care 
        facility violates subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) the 
        facility shall be subject to a civil money penalty of not more 
        than $200,000 or the Secretary may classify the entity as an 
        excluded entity for a period of 2 years pursuant to section 
        1128(b), or both.
            ``(3) Requirement to post notice.--Each long-term care 
        facility shall post conspicuously in an appropriate location a 
        sign (in a form specified by the Secretary) specifying the 
        rights of employees under this section. Such sign shall include 
        a statement that an employee may file a complaint with the 
        Secretary against a long-term care facility that violates the 
        provisions of this subsection and information with respect to 
        the manner of filing such a complaint.
    ``(e) Procedure.--The provisions of section 1128A (other than 
subsections (a) and (b) and the second sentence of subsection (f)) 
shall apply to a civil money penalty under this section in the same 
manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under 
section 1128A(a).
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `elder justice', 
`long-term care facility', and `law enforcement' have the meanings 
given those terms in section 2011.

  ``ensuring safety of residents when federally funded long-term care 
                            facilities close

    ``Sec. 1150B.  (a) In General.--
            ``(1) Notification of facility closure.--Subject to 
        paragraph (2), if the owner or operator determines under 
        section 1150A(a)(1) that a long-term care facility received at 
        least $10,000 in Federal funds under this Act during the 
        preceding year, the owner or operator of the facility shall--
                    ``(A) submit to the Secretary and the appropriate 
                State regulatory agency written notification of an 
                impending closure not later than the date that is 60 
                days prior to the date of such closure;
                    ``(B) include in the notice a plan for the transfer 
                and adequate relocation of the residents of the 
                facility prior to closure, including assurances that 
                the residents will be transferred to the most 
                appropriate facility in terms of quality, services, and 
                location; and
                    ``(C) not later than 10 days after the facility 
                closure, submit to the Secretary and the appropriate 
                State agency information identifying where residents of 
                the closed facility were transferred and on what date.
            ``(2) Exception where the secretary has issued a 
        termination notice.--In the case of a long-term care facility 
        described in paragraph (1) for which the Secretary has issued a 
        termination notice for the facility to close by not later than 
        15 days after the issuance of such notice, the Secretary shall 
        establish requirements for the notification, transfer, and 
        adequate relocation of residents within an appropriate 
        timeframe.
    ``(b) Sanctions.--Any person owning or operating a long-term care 
facility that fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) 
shall be subject to--
            ``(1) a civil monetary penalty of up to $1,000,000;
            ``(2) exclusion from participation in the programs under 
        this Act (in accordance with the procedures of section 1128); 
        and
            ``(3) any other applicable civil monetary penalties and 
        assessments.
    ``(c) Procedure.--The provisions of section 1128A (other than 
subsections (a) and (b) and the second sentence of subsection (f)) 
shall apply to a civil money penalty or assessment under this section 
in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding 
under section 1128A(a).
    ``(d) Definition.--In this section, the term `long-term care 
facility' has the meaning given that term in section 2011.''.
            (4) Report to congress on pilot program for national and 
        state background checks on direct patient access employees of 
        long-term care facilities or providers.--Not later than the 
        date that is 6 months after the completion of the pilot program 
        for national and State background checks on direct patient 
        access employees of long-term care facilities or providers 
        established under section 307 of the Medicare Prescription 
        Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (42 U.S.C. 
        1395aa note), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and 
        the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives a report containing the results of the 
        evaluation required under subsection (e) of such section of 
        such Act, together with recommendations for such legislation 
        and administrative action as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) National Nurse Aide Registry.--
            (1) Definition of nurse aide.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``nurse aide'' has the meaning given that term in sections 
        1819(b)(5)(F) and 1919(b)(5)(F) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1395i-3(b)(5)(F); 1396r(b)(5)(F)).
            (2) Study and report.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation 
                with appropriate government agencies and private sector 
                organizations, shall conduct a study on establishing a 
                national nurse aide registry.
                    (B) Areas evaluated.--The study conducted under 
                this subsection shall include an evaluation of--
                            (i) who should be included in the registry;
                            (ii) how such a registry would comply with 
                        Federal and State privacy laws and regulations;
                            (iii) how data would be collected for the 
                        registry;
                            (iv) what entities and individuals would 
                        have access to the data collected;
                            (v) how the registry would provide 
                        appropriate information regarding violations of 
                        Federal and State law by individuals included 
                        in the registry;
                            (vi) how the functions of a national nurse 
                        aide registry would be coordinated with the 
                        pilot program for national and State background 
                        checks on direct patient access employees of 
                        long-term care facilities or providers 
                        established under section 307 of the Medicare 
                        Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
                        Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173); 
                        and
                            (vii) how the information included in State 
                        nurse aide registries developed and maintained 
                        under sections 1819(e)(2) and 1919(e)(2) of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-3(e)(2); 
                        1396r(e)(2)(2)) would be provided as part of a 
                        national nurse aide registry.
                    (C) Considerations.--In conducting the study and 
                preparing the report required under this subsection, 
                the Secretary shall take into consideration the 
                findings and conclusions of relevant reports and other 
                relevant resources, including the following:
                            (i) The Department of Health and Human 
                        Services Office of Inspector General Report, 
                        Nurse Aide Registries: State Compliance and 
                        Practices (February 2005).
                            (ii) The General Accounting Office (now 
                        known as the Government Accountability Office) 
                        Report, Nursing Homes: More Can Be Done to 
                        Protect Residents from Abuse (March 2002).
                            (iii) The Department of Health and Human 
                        Services Office of the Inspector General 
                        Report, Nurse Aide Registries: Long-Term Care 
                        Facility Compliance and Practices (July 2005).
                            (iv) The Department of Health and Human 
                        Services Health Resources and Services 
                        Administration Report, Nursing Aides, Home 
                        Health Aides, and Related Health Care 
                        Occupations--National and Local Workforce 
                        Shortages and Associated Data Needs (2004)(in 
                        particular with respect to chapter 7 and 
                        appendix F).
                            (v) The 2001 Report to CMS from the School 
                        of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 
                        Preventing Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes: 
                        The Role of Nurse Aide Registries.
                            (vi) Information included in State nurse 
                        aide registries developed and maintained under 
                        sections 1819(e)(2) and 1919(e)(2) of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-3(e)(2); 
                        1396r(e)(2)(2)).
                    (D) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                submit a report to the Elder Justice Coordinating 
                Council, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and 
                the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on 
                Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives 
                containing the findings and recommendations of the 
                study conducted under this paragraph.
                    (E) Funding limitation.--Funding for the study 
                conducted under this subsection shall not exceed 
                $500,000.
            (3) Congressional action.--After receiving the report 
        submitted by the Secretary under paragraph (2)(D), the 
        Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways 
        and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
        of Representatives shall, as they deem appropriate, take action 
        based on the recommendations contained in the report.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the purpose 
        of carrying out this subsection.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Title xx.--Title XX of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1397 et seq.), as amended by section 5(a), is amended--
                    (A) in the heading of section 2001, by striking 
                ``title'' and inserting ``subtitle''; and
                    (B) in subtitle 1, by striking ``this title'' each 
                place it appears and inserting ``this subtitle''.
            (2) Title iv.--Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) in section 404(d)--
                            (i) in paragraphs (1)(A), (2)(A), and 
                        (3)(B), by inserting ``subtitle 1 of'' before 
                        ``title XX'' each place it appears;
                            (ii) in the heading of paragraph (2), by 
                        inserting ``subtitle 1 of'' before ``title 
                        xx''; and
                            (iii) in the heading of paragraph (3)(B), 
                        by inserting ``subtitle 1 of'' before ``title 
                        xx''; and
                    (B) in sections 422(b), 471(a)(4), 472(h)(1), and 
                473(b)(2), by inserting ``subtitle 1 of'' before 
                ``title XX'' each place it appears.
            (3) Title xi.--Title XI of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) in section 1128(h)(3)--
                            (i) by inserting ``subtitle 1 of'' before 
                        ``title XX''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``such title'' and 
                        inserting ``such subtitle''; and
                    (B) in section 1128A(i)(1), by inserting ``subtitle 
                1 of'' before ``title XX''.
                                 <all>