Altoona Times

Apr. 10, 2024 - HARRISBURG – In an effort to ensure accountability and transparency in the provision of services to senior citizens, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Altoona) has announced a new bill aimed at holding Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) accountable for meeting state requirements.

The bill, to be introduced by Schmitt, will mandate the Department of Aging to publish a list of non-compliant AAAs and their corrective action plans on its website. Speaking about the importance of this initiative, Schmitt emphasized, "Providing transparency and accountability is imperative, to not only policymakers, but also our constituents who use and fund these services through AAAs."

Schmitt highlighted the significance of providing information to clients about consumer protections and safeguards for the well-being of older adults, stating, “Providing publicly accessible information to clients regarding consumer protections and safeguards that protect the well-being and interests of older adults is essential.”

The new legislation is part of the broader "Back to Basics" government reform bills introduced during a recent press conference. Schmitt's proposal stems from feedback and observations gathered from state agencies during the 2024 budget hearings.

Expressing concern over the current scenario, Schmitt pointed out, “It is unacceptable that there are entities that continue to receive state dollars to provide protective services to our most vulnerable population and have been found non-compliant.”

The bill comes in response to the revelation that as of February 2024, seven out of 52 AAAs in the state were deemed non-compliant, with the information not being readily available on a publicly accessible platform.

Representative Lou Schmitt from the 79th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is driving this initiative. For media inquiries, contact Greg Gross at 717.260.6374 or ggross@pahousegop.com. More information can be found on RepLouSchmitt.com and Facebook.com/RepSchmitt."