Robert Matava Exploitation Protection for Elder Adults Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3598
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2012-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aging
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Evidence and witnesses
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Lawyers and legal services
Marketing and advertising
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: 
Robert Matava Exploitation Protection for Elder Adults Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) expand the prohibition against telemarketing fraud to cover e-mail marketing fraud; (2) include within the definition of &quot;telemarketing or e-mail marketing&quot; any plan to induce investment for financial profit, participation in a business opportunity, commitment to a loan, or participation in a fraudulent medical study, research study, or pilot study; and (3) apply enhanced penalties to telemarketing or e-mail marketing in connection with health care fraud offenses.
 
Directs the Attorney General to annually: (1) collect from law enforcement agencies and prosecutor offices statistical data relating to the incidence of elder abuse, (2) identify common data points that would permit the collection of uniform national data, (3) publish a summary of the data collected, (4) identify the types of data that should be collected and what entity is most capable of collecting it, and (5) develop recommendations for collecting additional data.
 
Requires the Attorney General to: (1) provide information, training, and technical assistance to assist states and local governments in investigating, prosecuting, preventing, and mitigating the impact of elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect; (2) carry out other specified duties in connection with enhancing the understanding, prevention, detection, and response to elder abuse; and (3) in cooperation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Legal Services Corporation, to establish a demonstration program to provide grants annually to not more than six civil legal services entities that could prevent or provide remedies for abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and collaborate with other organizations seeking to prevent, detect, and respond to elder abuse.
 
Grants congressional consent to any two or more states to enter into agreements or compacts for cooperative effort and mutual assistance in: (1) promoting the safety and well-being of elders, and (2) enforcing their respective laws and policies to promote such safety and well-being.
 
Directs the Executive Director of the State Justice Institute to submit legislative proposals relating to the facilitation of interstate agreements and compacts. 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to publish a report reviewing any findings on the financial cost to the federal government from the abuse and exploitation of elders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate