---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 15004"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "15004"
heading: "Responsibilities of the Secretary"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/15004"
units:
  - "Chapter 144 — Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights"
  - "Subchapter I — Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
---

# §15004. Responsibilities of the Secretary

- (a) **Program accountability—**
  - (1) **In general—** In order to monitor entities that received funds under this chapter to carry out activities under parts B, C, and D and determine the extent to which the entities have been responsive to the purpose of this subchapter and have taken actions consistent with the policy described in [section 15001(c) of this title](/usc/42/15001.md?p=c), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall develop and implement an accountability process as described in this subsection, with respect to activities conducted after October 1, 2001.
  - (2) **Areas of emphasis—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall develop a process for identifying and reporting (pursuant to [section 15005 of this title](/usc/42/15005.md)) on progress achieved through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities, undertaken by the entities described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1), that resulted in individuals with [developmental disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A) and their [families](/usc/42/15092.md?p=a-2-A) participating in the design of and having access to needed community services, [individualized supports](/usc/42/15002.md?p=16), and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, [independence](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=1-B), [productivity](/usc/42/15002.md?p=21), and [integration](/usc/42/15002.md?p=17) and [inclusion](/usc/42/15002.md?p=15) in all facets of community life. Specifically, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall develop a process for identifying and reporting on progress achieved, through advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities, by the entities in the [areas of emphasis](/usc/42/15002.md?p=2).
  - (3) **Indicators of progress—**
    - (A) **In general—** In identifying progress made by the entities described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) in the [areas of emphasis](/usc/42/15002.md?p=2), the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26), in consultation with the Commissioner of the Administration on [Developmental Disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A) and the entities, shall develop indicators for each area of emphasis.
    - (B) **Proposed indicators—** Not later than 180 days after October 30, 2000, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall develop and publish in the Federal Register for public comment proposed indicators of progress for monitoring how entities described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) have addressed the [areas of emphasis](/usc/42/15002.md?p=2) described in [paragraph (2)](#a-2) in a manner that is responsive to the purpose of this subchapter and consistent with the policy described in [section 15001(c) of this title](/usc/42/15001.md?p=c).
    - (C) **Final indicators—** Not later than October 1, 2001, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall revise the proposed indicators of progress, to the extent necessary based on public comment, and publish final indicators of progress in the Federal Register.
    - (D) **Specific measures—** At a minimum, the indicators of progress shall be used to describe and measure—
      - (i) the satisfaction of individuals with [developmental disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A) with the advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities provided under parts B, C, and D;
      - (ii) the extent to which the advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities provided through parts B, C, and D result in improvements in—
        - (I) the ability of individuals with [developmental disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A) to make choices and exert control over the type, intensity, and timing of services, supports, and assistance that the individuals have used;
        - (II) the ability of individuals with [developmental disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A) to participate in the full range of community life with persons of the individuals’ choice; and
        - (III) the ability of individuals with [developmental disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A) to access services, supports, and assistance in a manner that ensures that such an individual is free from abuse, neglect, sexual and financial exploitation, [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of legal and human rights, and the inappropriate use of restraints and seclusion; and
      - (iii) the extent to which the entities described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) collaborate with each other to achieve the purpose of this subchapter and the policy described in [section 15001(c) of this title](/usc/42/15001.md?p=c).
  - (4) **Time line for compliance with indicators of progress—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall require entities described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) to meet the indicators of progress described in [paragraph (3)](#a-3). For fiscal year 2002 and each year thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall apply the indicators in monitoring entities described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1), with respect to activities conducted after October 1, 2001.
- (b) **Time line for regulations—** Except as otherwise expressly provided in this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26), not later than 1 year after October 30, 2000, shall promulgate such regulations as may be required for the implementation of this subchapter.
- (c) **Interagency committee—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) shall maintain the interagency committee authorized in [section 6007 of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(/us/usc/t42/s6007)) as in effect on the day before October 30, 2000, except as otherwise provided in this subsection.
  - (2) **Composition—** The interagency committee shall be composed of representatives of—
    - (A) the Administration on [Developmental Disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A), the Administration on Children, Youth, and [Families](/usc/42/15092.md?p=a-2-A), the Administration on Aging, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
    - (B) such other Federal departments and [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) as the [Secretary](/usc/42/15002.md?p=26) of Health and Human Services considers to be appropriate.
  - (3) **Duties—** Such interagency committee shall meet regularly to coordinate and plan activities conducted by Federal departments and [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for individuals with [developmental disabilities](/usc/42/15002.md?p=8-A).
  - (4) **Meetings—** Each meeting of the interagency committee (except for any meetings of any subcommittees of the committee) shall be open to the public. Notice of each meeting, and a statement of the agenda for the meeting, shall be published in the Federal Register not later than 14 days before the date on which the meeting is to occur.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–402, title I, § 104, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1688.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 106–402, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1677, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15001 of this title and Tables.

Section 6007 of this title, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was repealed by Pub. L. 106–402, title IV, § 401(a), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1737.