STOP Scams Against Seniors Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4821
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T21:51:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to expand the allowable uses of federal grant funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to support the creation and operation of elder justice task forces focused on combating financial scams and fraud targeting individuals aged 60 and older.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 501(a)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add a new permitted use of funds for establishing, operating, and implementing elder justice task forces.
- These task forces may coordinate with state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, adult protective services, and federal agencies including the FBI, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, and U.S. Secret Service.
- Adds a new Section 510 requiring grant recipients using funds for this purpose to report specific data, such as the number of cases initiated and concluded, victims supported, types of scams involved, and any signs of organized or transnational criminal activity.
- Requires the Attorney General to submit an annual summary report of this information to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces a new authorized purpose for Byrne JAG grants, which previously focused on general criminal justice activities, by explicitly including elder justice task forces. It also creates new mandatory reporting obligations for recipients and the Attorney General that do not currently exist for this grant program.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Enables state, local, and federal entities to allocate existing grant resources toward specialized task forces, potentially improving coordination on elder fraud cases.
- On citizens: May increase resources available to investigate and respond to scams affecting older adults, potentially leading to more victim support and restitution.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified, though reporting on transnational criminal indicators could indirectly inform broader enforcement efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and local governments and law enforcement agencies receiving Byrne JAG grants.
- Older adults (age 60+) who may be victims of financial exploitation.
- Federal agencies such as the FBI, FTC, DOJ, and U.S. Secret Service.
- Prosecutors and adult protective services professionals.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress’s spending authority and does not appear to raise constitutional concerns related to federalism or individual rights. It expands grant flexibility without mandating new spending or creating new regulatory requirements beyond reporting.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Task forces to Oppose Predatory Scams Against Seniors Act — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (3 pages)