Sponsors (31)
Last progress June 6, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 6, 2025 by Josh S. Gottheimer
Creates a Department of Justice task force to study, prevent, and coordinate responses to elder abuse that targets LGBTQI+ people. The DOJ must form the ELDER Task Force within 90 days, draw members from the Elder Justice Initiative and the Civil Rights Division, develop best practices and educational materials, coordinate law enforcement responses, and report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within one year. Defines key terms used in the Act, including a broad definition of "LGBTQI+ individual" and a definition of "elder abuse" for people aged 60 and older that lists physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, neglect (failure to meet basic needs), and financial abuse.
Attorney General shall establish a task force known as the Elder LGBTQI+ Defense and Enhance Resources (ELDER) Task Force.
The Task Force must be established not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
The Task Force shall consist of members appointed by the Attorney General from both the Elder Justice Initiative and the Division of Civil Rights of the Department of Justice.
The Task Force shall study the increased incidence of elder abuse perpetrated against LGBTQI+ individuals.
The Task Force shall develop best practices for a national approach to combat elder abuse of LGBTQI+ individuals.
Primary beneficiaries are LGBTQI+ older adults (people who are age 60 and older and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or other sexual/gender minorities). The Task Force aims to improve detection, prevention, and response by producing best practices and educational materials for law enforcement, prosecutors, social-service and health providers, caregivers, and community advocacy groups. Law enforcement and federal civil-rights enforcement may receive model practices and coordination mechanisms to respond more effectively to targeted elder abuse. Service providers and advocacy organizations may get guidance and training materials to better identify and respond to abuse and neglect. The legislation places administrative responsibilities on DOJ components (Elder Justice Initiative and Civil Rights Division) but does not appropriate new funds; as a result, the scale and speed of implementation will depend on DOJ’s existing budgets and priorities. Because the measure is limited to study, coordination, and reporting, it creates tools and a policy framework rather than new entitlement or enforcement mechanisms. Potential downsides include limited impact if no dedicated funding or follow-up action is provided and a short reporting window (one year) that may constrain longer-term program development.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.