---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3058i"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3058i"
heading: "Prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3058i"
units:
  - "Chapter 35 — Programs for Older Americans"
  - "Subchapter XI — Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities"
  - "Part A — State Provisions"
  - "Subpart iii — programs for prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation"
---

# §3058i. Prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation

- (a) **Establishment—** In order to be eligible to receive an allotment under [section 3058b of this title](/usc/42/3058b.md) from funds appropriated under [section 3058a of this title](/usc/42/3058a.md) and made available to carry out this subpart, a [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) shall, in accordance with this section, and in consultation with area [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) on aging, develop and enhance [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) to address [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16).
- (b) **Use of allotments—** The [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) shall use an allotment made under [subsection (a)](#a) to carry out, through the [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) described in [subsection (a)](#a), activities to develop, strengthen, and carry out [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) for the prevention, detection, assessment, and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of, intervention in, investigation of, and response to [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16), including—
  - (1) providing for public education and outreach to identify and prevent [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16);
  - (2) providing for public education and outreach to promote financial literacy and prevent identity theft and [financial exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A) of [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40);
  - (3) ensuring the coordination of services provided by area [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) on aging with services instituted under the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) adult protection service [program](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4), [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) and local law enforcement systems, and courts of competent jurisdiction;
  - (4) promoting the development of information and data systems, including [elder abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=15) reporting systems, to quantify the extent of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) in the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51);
  - (5) promoting the submission of data on [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) for the appropriate database of the [Administration](/usc/42/3002.md?p=2) or another database specified by the [Assistant Secretary](/usc/42/3002.md?p=7);
  - (6) conducting analyses of [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) information concerning [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) and identifying unmet service, enforcement, or intervention needs;
  - (7) conducting training for individuals, including [caregivers](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-B) described in part E of subchapter III, professionals, and paraprofessionals, in relevant fields on the identification, prevention, and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16), with particular focus on prevention and enhancement of self-determination and autonomy;
  - (8) providing technical assistance to [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) that provide or have the potential to provide services for victims of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) and for family members of the victims;
  - (9) conducting special and on-going training, for individuals involved in serving victims of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16), on the topics of self-determination, individual rights, [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) and Federal requirements concerning confidentiality, and other topics determined by a [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) to be appropriate;
  - (10) promoting the development of an [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) system—
    - (A) that includes a [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) law that includes provisions for immunity, for persons reporting instances of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16), from prosecution arising out of such reporting, under any [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) or local law;
    - (B) under which a [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52)—
      - (i) on receipt of a report of known or suspected instances of [elder abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=15), [neglect](/usc/42/3002.md?p=38), or [exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A), shall promptly initiate an investigation to substantiate the accuracy of the report; and
      - (ii) on a finding of [elder abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=15), [neglect](/usc/42/3002.md?p=38), or [exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A), shall take steps, including appropriate referral, to protect the health and welfare of the abused, neglected, or exploited [older individual](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40);
    - (C) that includes, throughout the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51), in connection with the enforcement of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) laws and with the reporting of suspected instances of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16)—
      - (i) such administrative procedures;
      - (ii) such personnel, such as forensic specialists, trained in the special problems of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) prevention and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11);
      - (iii) such training procedures;
      - (iv) such institutional and other facilities (public and private); and
      - (v) such related multidisciplinary [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) and services, including [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) and arrangements that protect against [financial exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A),

      as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) will deal effectively with [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16) cases in the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51);

    - (D) that preserves the confidentiality of records in order to protect the rights of [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40);
    - (E) that provides for the cooperation of law enforcement officials, courts of competent jurisdiction, and [State agencies](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) providing human services with respect to special problems of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16);
    - (F) that enables an [older individual](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) to participate in decisions regarding the welfare of the [older individual](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40), and makes the least restrictive alternatives available to an [older individual](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) who is abused, neglected, or exploited; and
    - (G) that includes a [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) clearinghouse for dissemination of information to the general public with respect to—
      - (i) the problems of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16);
      - (ii) the facilities described in [subparagraph (C)(iv)](#b-10-C-iv); and
      - (iii) prevention and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) methods available to combat instances of [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16);
  - (11) examining various types of shelters serving [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) (in this paragraph referred to as “safe havens”), and testing various safe haven models for establishing safe havens (at home or elsewhere), that recognize autonomy and self-determination, and fully protect the due process rights of [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40);
  - (12) supporting multidisciplinary [elder justice](/usc/42/3002.md?p=17) activities, such as—
    - (A) supporting and studying team approaches for bringing a coordinated multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary response to [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16), including a response from individuals in social service, health care, public safety, and legal disciplines;
    - (B) establishing a [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) coordinating council, which shall identify the individual [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51)’s needs and provide the [Assistant Secretary](/usc/42/3002.md?p=7) with information and recommendations relating to efforts by the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) to combat [elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=16);
    - (C) providing training, technical assistance, community outreach and education, and other methods of support to groups carrying out multidisciplinary efforts at the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) (referred to in some [States](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) as “[State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) Working Groups”);
    - (D) broadening and studying various models for elder fatality and serious injury review teams, to make recommendations about their composition, protocols, functions, timing, roles, and responsibilities, with a goal of producing models and information that will allow for replication based on the needs of [States](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) and communities (other than the ones in which the review teams were used);
    - (E) developing best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), for use in [long-term care facilities](/usc/42/3002.md?p=35), that reduce the risk of [elder abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=15) for [residents](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=6), including the risk of [resident](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=6)-to-[resident](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=6) [abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=1); and
    - (F) supporting and implementing innovative [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19), [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4), and materials in communities to develop partnerships across disciplines for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of [abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=1), [neglect](/usc/42/3002.md?p=38), and [exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A); and
  - (13) addressing underserved populations of [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40), such as—
    - (A) [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) living in rural locations;
    - (B) [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) in minority populations; or
    - (C) low-[income](/usc/42/3056p.md?p=a-4) [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40).
- (c) **Approach—** In developing and enhancing [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) under [subsection (a)](#a), the [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) shall use a comprehensive approach, in consultation with area [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) on aging, to identify and assist [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) who are subject to [abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=1), [neglect](/usc/42/3002.md?p=38), and [exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A), including [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40) who live in [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) licensed facilities, unlicensed facilities, or domestic or community-based settings.
- (d) **Coordination—** In developing and enhancing [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) under [subsection (a)](#a), the [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) shall coordinate the [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) with other [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) and local [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) and services for the protection of vulnerable adults, particularly vulnerable [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40), including [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) and services such as—
  - (1) [area agency on aging](/usc/42/3002.md?p=6) [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4);
  - (2) adult protective service [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4);
  - (3) the [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) [Long-Term Care](/usc/42/3002.md?p=34) [Ombudsman](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=2) [program](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) established in subpart II of this part;
  - (4) protection and advocacy [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4);
  - (5) facility and [long-term care](/usc/42/3002.md?p=34) provider licensure and certification [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4);
  - (6) medicaid fraud and [abuse](/usc/42/3002.md?p=1) services, including services provided by a [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) medicaid fraud control unit, as defined in [section 1396b(q) of this title](/usc/42/1396b.md?p=q);
  - (7) victim assistance [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4); and
  - (8) consumer protection and [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) and local law enforcement [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4), as well as other [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) and local [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) that identify and assist vulnerable [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40), and services provided by [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and courts of competent jurisdiction.
- (e) **Requirements—** In developing and enhancing [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) under [subsection (a)](#a), the [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) shall—
  - (1) not permit involuntary or coerced participation in such [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) by alleged victims, abusers, or members of their households;
  - (2) require that all information gathered in the course of receiving a report described in [subsection (b)(10)(B)(i)](#b-10-B-i), and making a referral described in [subsection (b)(10)(B)(ii)](#b-10-B-ii), shall remain confidential except—
    - (A) if all parties to such complaint or report consent in writing to the release of such information;
    - (B) if the release of such information is to a law enforcement [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), public protective service [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), licensing or certification [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), [ombudsman](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=2) [program](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4), or protection or advocacy system; or
    - (C) upon court order; and
  - (3) make all reasonable efforts to resolve any conflicts with other [public agencies](/usc/42/11851.md?p=8) with respect to confidentiality of the information described in [paragraph (2)](#e-2) by entering into memoranda of understanding that narrowly limit disclosure of information, consistent with the requirement described in [paragraph (2)](#e-2).
- (f) **Designation—** The [State agency](/usc/42/3002.md?p=52) may designate a [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) entity to carry out the [programs](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=4) and activities described in this subpart.
- (g) **Study and report—**
  - (1) **Study—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3002.md?p=46), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the Attorney General of the United States, [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) attorneys general, and tribal and local prosecutors, shall conduct a study of the nature and extent of [financial exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A) of [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40). The purpose of this study would be to define and describe the scope of the problem of [financial exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A) of the elderly and to provide an estimate of the number and type of financial transactions considered to constitute [financial exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A) faced by [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40). The study shall also examine the adequacy of current Federal and [State](/usc/42/3002.md?p=51) legal protections to prevent such [exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A).
  - (2) **Report—** Not later than 18 months after November 13, 2000, the [Secretary](/usc/42/3002.md?p=46) shall submit to Congress a report, which shall include—
    - (A) the results of the study conducted under this subsection; and
    - (B) recommendations for future actions to combat the [financial exploitation](/usc/42/3002.md?p=18-A) of [older individuals](/usc/42/3002.md?p=40).
- (h) **Accountability measures—** The [Assistant Secretary](/usc/42/3002.md?p=7) shall develop accountability measures to ensure the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this section.
- (i) **Evaluating programs—** The [Assistant Secretary](/usc/42/3002.md?p=7) shall evaluate the activities carried out under this section, using funds made available under [section 3017(h) of this title](/usc/42/3017.md?p=h).
- (j) **Compliance with applicable laws—** In order to receive funds made available to carry out this section, an entity shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–73, title VII, § 721, as added Pub. L. 102–375, title VII, § 703(b), Sept. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 1282; amended Pub. L. 106–501, title VII, § 705, title VIII, § 801(e)(3), Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2290, 2293; Pub. L. 109–365, title VII, § 702, Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2591; Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e), Apr. 19, 2016, 130 Stat. 351; Pub. L. 116–131, title VI, § 603, title VII, § 701(12), Mar. 25, 2020, 134 Stat. 269, 272.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2020—Subsec. (b)(12)(C). Pub. L. 116–131, § 603(1), inserted “community outreach and education,” after “technical assistance,”.

Subsec. (b)(12)(F). Pub. L. 116–131, § 603(2), substituted “implementing” for “studying” and inserted “, programs, and materials” after “practices”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 116–131, § 701(12), substituted “3017(h) of this title” for “3017(g) of this title”.

2016—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(A), struck out “(including financial exploitation)” after “and exploitation” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(5) to (10). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(B), (C), added par. (5) and redesignated former pars. (5) to (9) as (6) to (10), respectively. Former par. (10) redesignated (11).

Subsec. (b)(10)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(D)(i), inserted “, such as forensic specialists,” after “such personnel”.

Subsec. (b)(10)(C)(v). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(D)(ii), inserted before comma at end “, including programs and arrangements that protect against financial exploitation”.

Subsec. (b)(11), (12). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(B), redesignated pars. (10) and (11) as (11) and (12), respectively. Former par. (12) redesignated (13).

Subsec. (b)(12)(F). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(E), added subpar. (F).

Subsec. (b)(13). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(1)(B), redesignated par. (12) as (13).

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 114–144, § 8(e)(2), substituted “subsection (b)(10)(B)(i)” for “subsection (b)(9)(B)(i)” and “subsection (b)(10)(B)(ii)” for “subsection (b)(9)(B)(ii)” in introductory provisions.

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–365, § 702(1), substituted “programs to address” for “programs for the prevention of”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–365, § 702(2)(A), substituted “programs for the prevention, detection, assessment, and treatment of, intervention in, investigation of, and response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (including financial exploitation), including—” for “programs for the prevention and treatment of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (including financial exploitation), including—” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(2) to (9). Pub. L. 109–365, § 702(2)(B), (C), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (8) as (3) to (9), respectively.

Subsec. (b)(10) to (12). Pub. L. 109–365, § 702(2)(D)–(F), added pars. (10) to (12).

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 109–365, § 702(3), substituted “subsection (b)(9)(B)(i)” for “subsection (b)(8)(B)(i)” and “subsection (b)(9)(B)(ii)” for “subsection (b)(8)(B)(ii)”.

Subsecs. (h) to (j). Pub. L. 109–365, § 702(4), added subsecs. (h) to (j).

2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–501, § 801(e)(3), substituted “section 3058a of this title and made available to carry out this subpart” for “section 3058a(b) of this title”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–501, § 705(1)(A), in introductory provisions, inserted “(including financial exploitation)” after “exploitation”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106–501, § 705(1)(B), inserted “, State and local law enforcement systems, and courts of competent jurisdiction” after “service program”.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 106–501, § 705(1)(C), inserted “including caregivers described in part E of subchapter III,” after “individuals,”.

Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 106–501, § 705(2), inserted “State and local” before “law enforcement programs” and “, and services provided by agencies and courts of competent jurisdiction” before period at end.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–501, § 705(3), added subsec. (g).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section inapplicable with respect to fiscal year 1992, see section 905(b)(6) of Pub. L. 102–375, set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 3001 of this title.

### Declaration of Purpose

Pub. L. 102–375, title VII, § 703(a), Sept. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 1282, provided that: “The purpose of this section [enacting this subpart] is to assist States in the design, development, and coordination of comprehensive services of the State and local levels to prevent, treat, and remedy elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.”