# The STOP Act: Funding Better Training for Police on Elder Abuse

The STOP Act (Senior abuse Training and Offense Prevention Act) is designed to give police departments, sheriff's offices, and other law enforcement agencies money to better handle cases involving abuse and exploitation of older adults. The federal government, through the Attorney General, would provide grants to local police, sheriffs, and other first responders so they can create specialized training programs, set up dedicated elder abuse units, and develop better ways to work together when dealing with crimes against seniors.

The bill recognizes that elder abuse—which includes physical abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation—requires specialized knowledge and skills that many first responders don't currently have. So the money would go toward training officers specifically on how to recognize, investigate, and prosecute these crimes. It could also fund positions for detectives or officers who focus exclusively on elder justice cases, or help different agencies coordinate better when handling these sensitive situations. The bill defines "elders" as people age 60 and older and covers everything from preventing abuse to protecting seniors' rights and autonomy.

To make sure the money actually works, the bill requires that grant recipients evaluate whether their programs are actually effective at reducing elder abuse and improving how cases are handled. The Attorney General would work with the Department of Health and Human Services to review these evaluation plans before approving grants, ensuring that taxpayer money is spent on programs that genuinely help. If a police department or organization applies for a grant, they'd need to explain how they'll measure success and show that their approach makes sense.

Essentially, this bill aims to fill a gap in law enforcement training and resources by giving communities the tools they need to better protect vulnerable older adults from abuse and exploitation.

STOP Act

Emmer, Tom

Senior abuse Training and Offense Prevention Act or the STOP Act This bill directs the Department of Justice to award competitive grants to state or local governments, Indian tribes, or other entities to support law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and other first responders in elder justice matters.