[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4776 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 505
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4776
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations
for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 25, 2024
Mr. Sanders (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Casey, Ms. Collins, Mr.
Kaine, Mr. Mullin, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which
was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions
September 12, 2024
Reported by Mr. Sanders, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations
for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Older Americans Act
Reauthorization Act of 2024''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title.
<DELETED>Sec. 2. Table of contents.
<DELETED>Sec. 3. References.
<DELETED>Sec. 4. Definitions.
<DELETED>TITLE I--STRENGTHENING THE AGING NETWORK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
OLDER INDIVIDUALS
<DELETED>Sec. 101. Declaration of objectives.
<DELETED>Sec. 102. Addressing mental health and substance use disorders
and cognitive impairments of older
individuals.
<DELETED>Sec. 103. List of national resource centers.
<DELETED>Sec. 104. Awareness of relevant Federal programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 105. Evaluations and surveys.
<DELETED>Sec. 106. Contracting and grant authority.
<DELETED>Sec. 107. Guidance on transfers of funding between area
agencies on aging.
<DELETED>Sec. 108. Right to first refusal.
<DELETED>Sec. 109. Area agency on aging capabilities.
<DELETED>Sec. 110. Supporting older individuals with disabilities
through improved coordination.
<DELETED>Sec. 111. Business acumen, fiscal training, and technical
assistance.
<DELETED>Sec. 112. Enhancing access to assistive technology.
<DELETED>Sec. 113. White House Conference on Aging.
<DELETED>TITLE II--IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES AND ENCOURAGING
INDEPENDENCE FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS
<DELETED>Sec. 201. Disease prevention and health promotion services.
<DELETED>Sec. 202. Improving health outcomes.
<DELETED>Sec. 203. Evidence-informed practices.
<DELETED>Sec. 204. Enhancing multipurpose senior centers.
<DELETED>Sec. 205. Addressing home modifications.
<DELETED>Sec. 206. Multigenerational and civic engagement activities.
<DELETED>Sec. 207. GAO study and report on access to housing for older
individuals.
<DELETED>Sec. 208. Report relating to health outcomes for older
individuals living with or near family
members.
<DELETED>Sec. 209. Improving broadband coordination and reducing social
isolation.
<DELETED>TITLE III--ENHANCING INNOVATION AND FLEXIBILITY IN NUTRITION
SERVICES
<DELETED>Sec. 301. Medically tailored meals.
<DELETED>Sec. 302. Nutrition service providers.
<DELETED>Sec. 303. Grab-and-go meals.
<DELETED>Sec. 304. Nutrition Services Incentive Program innovation.
<DELETED>Sec. 305. GAO study on Nutrition Services Incentive Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 306. Innovations in nutrition programs and services.
<DELETED>TITLE IV--SUPPORTING FAMILY CAREGIVERS
<DELETED>Sec. 401. Improving the National Family Caregiver Support
Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 402. Emphasizing respite care.
<DELETED>Sec. 403. Clarifying supportive services.
<DELETED>Sec. 404. Direct care workforce resource center.
<DELETED>Sec. 405. Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act.
<DELETED>Sec. 406. RAISE Family Caregivers Act.
<DELETED>TITLE V--COMMUNITY SERVICE SENIOR OPPORTUNITIES ACT
<DELETED>Sec. 501. Improving the Community Service Employment Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 502. GAO report on alignment within the Community Service
Employment Program.
<DELETED>TITLE VI--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR NATIVE ELDERS
<DELETED>Sec. 601. Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee.
<DELETED>Sec. 602. Supportive services; set aside.
<DELETED>Sec. 603. GAO report on Tribal services.
<DELETED>TITLE VII--STRENGTHENING THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAMS
AND ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION
<DELETED>Sec. 701. Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 702. Legal assistance training resources relating to
elder abuse prevention.
<DELETED>Sec. 703. Improving training of volunteers under the State
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
<DELETED>Sec. 704. Reporting on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Programs.
<DELETED>Sec. 705. Study on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs.
<DELETED>TITLE VIII--AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS
<DELETED>Sec. 801. Administration on Aging.
<DELETED>Sec. 802. Grants for State and community programs on aging.
<DELETED>Sec. 803. Activities for health, independence, and longevity.
<DELETED>Sec. 804. Community Service Senior Opportunities Act.
<DELETED>Sec. 805. Grants for Native Americans.
<DELETED>Sec. 806. Allotments for elder rights protection activities.
<DELETED>SEC. 3. REFERENCES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act,
wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to that section or other
provision of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et
seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act, the terms ``area agency on aging'',
``Assistant Secretary'', ``older individual'', and ``Secretary'' have
the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Older Americans Act
of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).</DELETED>
<DELETED>TITLE I--STRENGTHENING THE AGING NETWORK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
OLDER INDIVIDUALS</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 101. DECLARATION OF OBJECTIVES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 101 (42 U.S.C. 3001) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``of the following objectives:'' and inserting ``of
the objectives of--'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in each of paragraphs (1) through (10), by
amending the first word so that it begins with a lowercase
letter;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in each of paragraphs (1) through (8), by
striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in each of paragraphs (9) and (10), by
striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
and'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``to improve
health outcomes and reduce health care expenditures'' after
``economic status'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (10)
as subparagraphs (A) through (J), respectively, and adjusting
the margins accordingly;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as
so redesignated), by striking ``our democratic society, the
older people'' and inserting the following: ``our democratic
society--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) the older people''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the families of older individuals and
community-based organizations, including faith-based
organizations, also play a vital role in supporting and
honoring older individuals and their happiness, dignity, and
independence.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 102. ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS OF OLDER INDIVIDUALS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 201(f) (42 U.S.C. 3011(f)) is amended to read as
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f)(1) The Assistant Secretary may designate an officer
or employee who shall be responsible for the administration of services
for mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairments
authorized under this Act and serve as an effective and visible
advocate for the related needs of older individuals within the
Department of Health and Human Services, including by ensuring that
relevant information disseminated and research conducted or supported
by the Department takes into consideration such services.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary,
acting through the individual designated under paragraph (1), and in
consultation with the heads of relevant agencies within the Department
of Health and Human Services, including the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, to develop objectives, priorities, and
a long-term plan for supporting State and local efforts under this Act
involving education about and prevention, detection, and treatment of
mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairment,
including age-related dementia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease and
related neurological disorders with neurological and organic brain
dysfunction.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Assistant
Secretary shall report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate, the Special Committee on Aging of the
Senate, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House
of Representatives on the activities of the officer or employee
designated under paragraph (1) in carrying out the requirements under
this subsection, including any activities to identify and reduce
duplication and gaps across the Department in such information
disseminated and research conducted or supported by the
Department.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 103. LIST OF NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 202 (42 U.S.C. 3012) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``Resource
Center on Elder Abuse'' and inserting ``Center''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h)(1) The Assistant Secretary shall publish online in a
publicly accessible format, on an annual basis, a list of national
resource centers and demonstration projects authorized, or
administratively established through funds provided under, this
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) The Assistant Secretary shall ensure that the list
published pursuant to paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) includes--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) a description of each such center
and demonstration project, including the projected
goals and activities of each such center and
demonstration project;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) a citation to the statutory
authorization of each such center and demonstration
project, or a citation to the statutory authority that
the Assistant Secretary relied upon to administratively
establish each such center and demonstration
project;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) the award amount for each such
center and demonstration project; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) a summary of any evaluations
required under this Act for each such center, including
a description of any measures of effectiveness;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) is directly provided to State agencies, area
agencies on aging, and the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on Aging of the
Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 104. AWARENESS OF RELEVANT FEDERAL PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Title II (42 U.S.C. 3011 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 203A (42 U.S.C. 3013a) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 203B. AWARENESS OF RELEVANT FEDERAL PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``In carrying out section 203(a)(1), the Assistant
Secretary shall coordinate with the heads of relevant Federal
departments and agencies to ensure that the aging network and
individuals served under this Act are aware of, and, subject to
applicable eligibility criteria, have access to, Federal programs that
may advance the objectives of this Act, including programs described in
section 203(b) and other programs to meet housing, health care, and
other supportive service needs to help such individuals age in
place.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 105. EVALUATIONS AND SURVEYS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 206 (42 U.S.C. 3017) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d)(1) In carrying out evaluations under this section,
the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) award grants to, or enter into contracts
with, public or nonprofit private organizations or academic or
research institutions to survey State agencies, area agencies
on aging, and other program and project participants about the
strengths and weaknesses of the programs and projects;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) conduct, where appropriate, evaluations that
compare the effectiveness of related programs in achieving
common objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) The surveys and evaluations under paragraph (1)
shall include information on programs, services, use and sources of
funding (including any transfer of funding between area agencies on
aging), identified unmet need for services and related indicators, and
any other challenges faced by State agencies and area agencies on aging
in carrying out the activities of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The Secretary shall, in carrying out the evaluations
under paragraph (1), consult with organizations concerned with older
individuals, including organizations that represent minority
individuals, older individuals residing in rural areas, and older
individuals with disabilities.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (g), by striking ``him'' and
inserting ``the Secretary''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 106. CONTRACTING AND GRANT AUTHORITY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 212 (42 U.S.C. 3020c) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), this Act
shall not be construed to prevent a recipient of a grant or a contract
under this Act (other than title V) from entering into an agreement
with a profitmaking organization for the recipient to provide services
to individuals or entities not otherwise receiving services under this
Act, provided that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) in the case funds provided under this Act
are used in developing or carrying out the agreement--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) such agreement guarantees that the
cost is reimbursed to the recipient;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) if such agreement provides for the
provision of 1 or more services, of the type provided
under this Act by or on behalf of such recipient, to an
individual or entity seeking to receive such services--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the individuals and entities
may only purchase such services at their fair
market rate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) all costs incurred by the
recipient in providing such services (and not
otherwise reimbursed under subparagraph (A)),
are reimbursed to such recipient; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) except in the case of an
agreement with a health plan or health care
provider, the recipient reports the rates for
providing such services under such agreement in
accordance with subsection (c) and the rates
are consistent with the prevailing market rate
for provision of such services in the relevant
geographic area as determined by the State
agency or area agency on aging (as applicable);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) any amount of payment to the
recipient under the agreement that exceeds
reimbursement under this subsection of the recipient's
costs is used to provide, or support the provision of,
services under this Act; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) subject to subsection (e), in the case no
funds provided under this Act are used in developing or
carrying out the agreement--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) not later than 45 days after the
agreement first goes into effect, and annually
thereafter until the termination of su