Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 4.djvu/171

 PUBLIC LAW 106-501—NOV. 13, 2000 114 STAT. 2233 "(I) makes recommendations to the Administration, the Department of Labor and other Federal, State, and local agencies concerning issues for older individuals related to pension and other retirement benefits; and "(J) establishes or continues an outreach program to provide information, counseling, referral and assistance regarding pension and other retirement benefits, with particular emphasis on outreach to women, minorities, older individuals residing in rural areas and low income retirees; and "(2) an assurance that staff members (including volunteer staff members) have no conflict of interest in providing the services described in the plan described in paragraph (1). "(f) CRITERIA. —The Assistant Secretsiry shall consider the following criteria in awarding grants under this section: "(1) Evidence of a commitment by the entity to carry out a proposed pension counseling and information program. "(2) The ability of the entity to perform effective outreach to affected populations, particularly populations that are identified in need of special outreach. "(3) Reliable information that the population to be served by the entity has a demonstrable need for the services proposed to be provided under the program. "(4) The ability of the entity to provide services under the program on a statewide or regional basis. "(g) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. — "(1) IN GENERAL. —The Assistant Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to establish training and technical assistance programs that shall provide information and technical assistance to the staffs of entities operating pension counseling and information programs described in subsection (b), and general assistance to such entities, including assistance in the design of program evaluation tools. "(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— Entities that are eligible to receive a grant under this subsection include nonprofit private organizations with a record of providing national information, referral, and advocacy in matters related to pension and other retirement benefits. "(3) APPLICATION. — To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the Assistant Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may require. " (h) PENSION ASSISTANCE HOTLIISTE AND INTRAGENCY COORDINA- TION. — "(1) HOTLINE.— The Assistant Secretary shall enter into Contracts. agreements with other Federal agencies to establish and administer a national telephone hotline that shall provide information regarding pension and other retirement benefits, and rights related to such benefits. "(2) CONTENT. —Such hotline described in paragraph (1) shall provide information for individuals seeldng outreach, information, counseling, referral, and assistance regarding pension and other retirement benefits, and rights related to such benefits.

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