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AR 119

Urges Congress to fully fund programs and activities under federal Elder Justice Act.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carol Murphy and 1 co-sponsor

Urges Congress to fully fund all Elder Justice Act programs, boosting elder abuse prevention and protection via federal grants to key programs.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
#memorializat #srcitizens
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Bill Summary · AR 119

Summary of Assembly Resolution AR 119 (New Jersey)

Overview

  • Bill Number & Title: AR 119 — Urges Congress to fully fund programs and activities under the federal Elder Justice Act.
  • Type: Assembly resolution (non-binding memorialization).
  • Introduced: March 7, 2024.
  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.
  • Subject: Memorialization of senior citizens; elder justice.

Purpose and Intent

  • To urge the United States Congress to fully appropriate funds authorized under the federal Elder Justice Act for all of the Act’s activities and programs.
  • The resolution frames funding as essential to advance elder abuse prevention, protection, and justice.

Key Provisions (What the bill would do)

  • Urge federal funding: The core provision asks Congress to provide full funding for all programs and activities authorized by the Elder Justice Act.
  • Transmission mechanism: Requires duly authenticated copies of the resolution to be transmitted to:
    • Senate Majority and Minority Leaders,
    • House Speaker and Majority/Minority Leaders,
    • All U.S. Congress members elected from New Jersey.
  • As a resolution, it does not create or modify state law or funding; it expresses the General Assembly’s stance and requests federal action.

Background and Context

  • The Elder Justice Act was enacted in 2010 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148).
  • It was the first federal law to authorize a dedicated funding source to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • Provisions include:
    • Grants to improve state Adult Protective Services and long-term care ombudsman programs.
    • Grants for federal and state survey agencies for long-term care facilities.
    • Grants for forensic centers to develop expertise on elder abuse issues.
    • Establishment of the Advisory Board on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation.
    • Mandatory immediate reporting of elder abuse in long-term care facilities to law enforcement.
  • A Congressional Research Service report (June 15, 2020) noted that many authorizations expired in September 2014 and that most programs have not been funded at authorized levels since enactment.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • Introduced: March 7, 2024.
  • Committee: Referred to the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.
  • No further actions are noted in the provided information; as a memorialization, action depends on consideration by the committee and potential floor passage.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Impact if adopted by Congress: Potential restoration or expansion of federal funding for elder justice programs (adult protective services enhancements, long-term care ombudsman programs, facility surveys, forensic centers, and advisory activities).
  • Limitations: The resolution is non-binding and does not alter New Jersey law or create new state funding obligations; it serves as a formal request/influence on federal funding decisions.
  • Policy relevance: Highlights ongoing concern about elder abuse, protection, and systemic support through federal resources.

Who is Affected

  • While the resolution concerns federal funding, the impact would mainly concern federal agencies and programs related to elder justice, as well as state and local agencies (e.g., Adult Protective Services, long-term care ombudsman programs) that depend on federal grant funding. In New Jersey, this resolution signals state-level advocacy and alignment with federal funding priorities.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize specific programs within the Elder Justice Act or compare it with related New Jersey or federal actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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