42 U.S.C. § 5000 — Statement of purpose

Page 6270 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 5000 SUBCHAPTER II—NATIONAL SENIOR SERVICE CORPS Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Pub. L. 111–13, title II, § 2141, Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1584, substituted ‘‘SERVICE’’ for ‘‘VOLUNTEER’’ in heading. § 5000. Statement of purpose It is the purpose of this subchapter to pro- vide— (1) opportunities for senior service to meet unmet local, State, and national needs in the areas of education, public safety, emergency and disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery, health and human needs, and the environment; (2) for the National Senior Service Corps, comprised of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program, and dem- onstration and other programs, to empower people 55 years of age or older to contribute to their communities through service, enhance the lives of those who serve and those whom they serve, and provide communities with val- uable services; (3) opportunities for people 55 years of age or older, through the Retired and Senior Volun- teer Program, to share their knowledge, expe- riences, abilities, and skills for the betterment of their communities and themselves; (4) opportunities for low-income people 55 years of age or older, through the Foster Grandparents Program, to have a positive im- pact on the lives of children in need; and (5) opportunities for low-income people 55 years of age or older, through the Senior Com- panion Program, to provide support services and companionship to other older individuals through volunteer service. (Pub. L. 93–113, title II, § 200, as added Pub. L. 101–204, title V, § 501, Dec. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 1815; amended Pub. L. 103–82, title III, §§ 341(b)(1), 342(b), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 904; Pub. L. 111–13, title II, § 2142, Apr. 21, 2009, 123 Stat. 1584.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 2009—Pub. L. 111–13 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section set forth a statement of pur- poses regarding the National Senior Volunteer Corps. 1993—Par. (1). Pub. L. 103–82, §§ 341(b)(1), 342(b), sub- stituted ‘‘National Senior Volunteer Corps’’ for ‘‘Older American Volunteer Programs’’ and ‘‘Retired and Sen- ior Volunteer Program’’ for ‘‘retired senior volunteer program’’. Par. (2). Pub. L. 103–82, § 342(b), substituted ‘‘Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’’ for ‘‘retired senior vol- unteer program’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111–13 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 6101(a) of Pub. L. 111–13, set out as a note under section 4950 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103–82 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 392 of Pub. L. 103–82, set out as a note under section 4951 of this title. PART A—RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM § 5001. Grants and contracts for volunteer serv- ice projects (a) Approval of projects; rules and regulations In order to help retired individuals and work- ing older individuals to share their experiences, abilities, and skills to improve their commu- nities and themselves through service in their communities, the Director is authorized to make grants to State agencies (established or designated pursuant to section 3025(a)(1) of this title) or grants to or contracts with other public and nonprofit private agencies and organiza- tions to pay part or all of the costs for the devel- opment or operation, or both, of volunteer serv- ice projects under this section, if the Director determines, in accordance with regulations the Director shall prescribe, that— (1) volunteers will not be reimbursed for other than transportation, meals, and other out-of-pocket expenses incident to the provi- sion of services under this part; (2) only individuals 55 years of age or older will be enrolled as volunteers to provide serv- ices under this part (except for administrative purposes), and such services will be performed in the community where such individuals re- side or in nearby communities either (A) on publicly owned and operated facilities or projects, or (B) on local projects sponsored by private nonprofit organizations (other than political parties), other than projects involv- ing the construction, operation, or mainte- nance of so much of any facility used or to be used for sectarian instruction or as a place for religious worship; (3) the project includes such short-term training as may be necessary to make the most effective use of the skills and talents of participating volunteers and individuals, and provide for the payment of the reasonable ex- penses of such volunteers while undergoing such training; and (4) the project is being designed and imple- mented with the advice of persons competent in the field of service to be provided, as well as persons who have expertise in the manage- ment of volunteers and the needs of older indi- viduals. (b) Proportion of required local contribution; ex- ceptions In no event shall the required proportion of the local contribution (including in-kind con- tributions) for a grant or contract made under this section be more than 10 per centum in the first year of assistance under this section, 20 per centum in the second such year, and 30 per cen- tum in any subsequent such years: Provided, however, That the Director may make excep- tions in cases of demonstrated need, determined (in accordance with regulations which the Direc- tor shall prescribe) on the basis of the financial capability of a particular recipient of assistance under this section, to permit a lesser local con- tribution proportion than any required contribu- tion proportion established by the Director in generally applicable regulations.