H.R. 2719House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2019

Introduced May 14, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC

The Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2019 requires the U.S. Postal Service to create and sell a special semipostal stamp that raises awareness of elder abuse. Money raised from the stamp is divided equally between the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to fund programs that prevent, investigate, and support victims of elder abuse. The stamp must be offered to the public for at least two years, beginning no later than one year after the law takes effect, and the agencies may use federal funds to promote its sale.

Key Provisions

  • The Postal Service must issue a "Stamp Out Elder Abuse" semipostal stamp and make it available for a minimum of two years, starting within one year of enactment.
  • Half of the proceeds from stamp sales go to the Department of Justice for elder‑abuse prevention, education, investigations, data collection, victim services, and related costs.
  • The other half of the proceeds go to the Department of Health and Human Services for elder‑justice activities authorized under the Social Security Act.
  • Transfers of the funds to each agency must occur at least twice a year under an agreement with the Postal Service.
  • Proceeds from the stamp cannot be counted against any appropriations decisions for the two agencies and are exempt from certain statutory limits on semipostal stamps.
  • Both agencies may use federal money to promote the stamp, including creating and distributing informational materials.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

June 26, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 14, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

May 14, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

May 15, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

June 26, 2019

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 14, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2719

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 14, 2019

Mr. King of New York (for himself, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Ms. Schakowsky, and Ms. Bonamici) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To provide for the issuance of a Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2019.

2.

Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp

(a)

Definitions

In this section—

(1)

the term elder justice has the meaning given that term in section 2011 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397j);

(2)

the term elder abuse has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (34 U.S.C. 21701);

(3)

the term Postal Service means the United States Postal Service;

(4)

the term semipostal stamp has the meaning given the term semipostal in section 416(a)(1) of title 39, United States Code; and

(5)

the term Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp means the semipostal stamp issued under subsection (b).

(b)

Issuance

In order to afford a convenient way for members of the public to contribute to raising awareness of and combatting elder abuse and to funding for elder justice activities, the Postal Service shall issue a semipostal stamp in accordance with subsection (c).

(c)

Terms and conditions

(1)

In general

Except as provided in this subsection, the issuance and sale of, and the determination of amounts becoming available from the sale of, the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp shall be governed by section 416 of title 39, United States Code, and regulations issued under that section.

(2)

Duration

The Postal Service shall make available to the public the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp for a period of not less than 2 years, beginning not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

(3)

Disposition of proceeds

(A)

Department of Justice

Half of the amounts becoming available from the sale of the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp shall be transferred to the Department of Justice, to remain available until expended, for the purposes of—

(i)

prevention of and education regarding elder abuse;

(ii)

investigation, prosecution, and litigation expenses relating to elder abuse;

(iii)

data collection regarding elder abuse;

(iv)

elder abuse victim services; and

(v)

any other expense of the Department of Justice relating to elder abuse.

(B)

Administration for Community Living

Half of the amounts becoming available from the sale of the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp shall be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services, to remain available until expended, for the purposes of elder justice activities authorized under subtitle B of title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397j et seq.).

(C)

Administration of transfers

Transfers under this paragraph shall be made to the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services not less frequently than 2 times a year and under such other arrangements as the Postal Service shall by mutual agreement with the applicable agency establish in order to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(D)

Proceeds not to be offset

In accordance with section 416(d)(4) of title 39, United States Code, amounts becoming available from the sale of the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp shall not be taken into account in any decision relating to the level of appropriations or other Federal funding to be furnished in any year to the Department of Justice or the Department of Health and Human Services.

(4)

Limitation

The Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp shall not be subject to, or taken into account for purposes of applying, any limitation under section 416(e)(1)(C) of title 39, United States Code.

(5)

Promotion

The Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services may use Federal funds to promote the sale of the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp, which may include the preparation and dissemination of reports, brochures, or other appropriate materials to be made available to the public that describe elder justice issues and the benefits of the sale of the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp.