Representative pitches independent Office of Older Adult Advocate to centralize senior services

Representative Steve Altrino described why he filed House Bill 796 to create an independent Office of the Older Adult Advocate to help seniors navigate fragmented services.

Altrino told the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs that constituent calls about seniors commonly involve multiple agencies and complex benefits. He said the proposed advocate would be independent of existing secretariats to avoid conflicts and to coordinate across health, housing and labor departments.

"There could be no more complicated call that you get than helping a member who's a senior citizen," Altrino said, adding that the office would not be tied to a secretariat and would provide transparency and accountability similar to the state's veterans' advocate.

Committee members asked about funding and the secretary's role. Altrino said details of staffing and appropriations would need to be worked into the bill and offered to coordinate with the committee and leadership to determine scope and cost. He emphasized the office would provide policy recommendations when fragmentation or duplication is identified.

No committee vote or funding decision was taken at the hearing; sponsors asked the committee to "report favorably" and pledged to work with chairs on drafting and budgets.

Why it matters: Witnesses and legislators said an independent advocate could reduce inefficiency in constituent services, surface recurring problems to policymakers and help families navigate housing, benefits and health care systems.

What happened next: The bill was presented and discussed; the committee asked technical and funding questions but recorded no final action.