The first section of the bill states the official short title, which is "Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024."

The table of contents lists the various sections and titles of the Act, which covers objectives and initiatives related to supporting older individuals, such as strengthening aging networks, improving health outcomes, enhancing nutrition services, supporting family caregivers, providing community service opportunities, and improving services for native elders. It also addresses long-term care ombudsman programs, elder abuse prevention, and authorizations of appropriations.

In this section, any changes or deletions mentioned in the Act should be understood as referring to the Older Americans Act of 1965.

In this Act, the terms "area agency on aging," "Assistant Secretary," "older individual," and "Secretary" are defined the same way they are in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.

The changes to Section 101 aim to clarify and update the objectives, making adjustments to punctuation and structure, such as modifying capitalization and replacing periods with semicolons. Additionally, the section now recognizes the role of families and community-based organizations in supporting older individuals.

The updated section of the law establishes that an officer or employee will be in charge of managing mental health, substance use disorders, and cognitive impairment services for older people within the Department of Health and Human Services. It requires a plan for education, prevention, detection, and treatment efforts, with a report to be submitted in two years on the actions taken and any efforts to reduce overlaps in research and information.

The section amends the law to require the Assistant Secretary to annually publish an online list of national resource centers and projects funded by the Act, including detailed descriptions, funding amounts, statutory references, and any evaluations of effectiveness. This list must also be provided to various relevant agencies and committees.

The section added by the amendment requires the Assistant Secretary to work with leaders of relevant federal departments and agencies to make sure that the aging network and eligible individuals know about and can access federal programs that support the goals of the Act, such as housing, healthcare, and other services to help them live independently.

The Assistant Secretary is required to work with leaders of federal departments and agencies to make sure that the aging community and individuals served by the Act know about and can access federal programs that support the goals of the Act, including those related to housing, healthcare, and other services that help people remain in their homes as they age.

The amendment to Section 206 authorizes the Secretary to award grants or contracts to organizations to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of programs for older adults. It also mandates gathering information on program operations and challenges, with input from organizations representing diverse older populations. Additionally, the term "him" is replaced with "the Secretary."

The amendment to Section 212 of the bill addresses how grant or contract recipients can engage in business agreements with profit-making organizations, ensuring that any use of funds is properly reimbursed and reported. It also establishes guidelines for monitoring such agreements to ensure they do not negatively impact services for older individuals, and outlines confidentiality standards for agreements involving non-disclosure terms.

The section mandates that the Assistant Secretary must issue guidance within one year on when funds intended for area agencies on aging in a state can be reallocated within that state, with the condition that the reallocation is approved by the state agency and the involved area agencies on aging. The guidance may take into account the factors affecting how these funds are spent.

The text amends the Older Americans Act to require that when a state agency appoints a new area agency on aging, it must first offer the position to a local government unit if that unit meets certain criteria, such as having experience serving older individuals and having boundaries that align with the area served.

The amendments to sections 305(c) and 306(f)(1) of the United States Code enhance the responsibilities of area agencies on aging. Specifically, they must now ensure the capability to develop and oversee area plans that align with federal and state laws and any conditions tied to awards. Additionally, if these agencies fail to meet requirements for two consecutive years, they may be required to submit a compliance plan.

The text outlines changes to improve how services for older individuals with disabilities are coordinated, mainly by fostering partnerships between aging and disability networks such as centers for independent living. It also amends definitions in the law to be consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and mandates that guidance and technical assistance be provided to strengthen these collaborative efforts.

The amendment to Section 307(a) emphasizes that state agencies should, whenever possible and appropriate, offer technical assistance to local agencies on aging. This assistance is meant to help them develop smart business skills, good financial management, and other strategies to grow and maintain their ability to effectively serve older adults and caregivers.

Section 112 modifies section 307(a) of the law to ensure that states will work together with agencies responsible for assistive technology programs and agencies on aging to help older people, especially those with disabilities, access the assistive technology they need.

The White House Conference on Aging is authorized to be convened by the President in 2025 to discuss and make recommendations on policies and programs important to older individuals and their communities. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, along with various government officials, is responsible for organizing the conference, ensuring fair representation and independent judgment among participants, and publishing reports to guide future actions.

The section authorizes the President to convene the White House Conference on Aging in 2025 to discuss and recommend policies that benefit older individuals. It will involve various government officials, professionals, and members of the public to evaluate existing programs and suggest improvements, ensuring a diverse representation of ideas on aging-related issues.

The text outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary in organizing a conference about aging, which includes consulting with various stakeholders, preparing materials, and ensuring a balanced representation of viewpoints. It allows the Secretary to accept gifts to fund the event, requires transparency regarding these gifts, and ensures access to relevant data.

The section outlines that within 100 days after a Conference ends, the Secretary must release a preliminary report for States to review and comment on. A final report with recommendations for the President and Congress must be submitted within 180 days, including proposals for any necessary administrative or legislative actions.

In this section, several terms are defined for use in the bill: "Conference" refers to the White House Conference on Aging, "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and "State" includes all U.S. states, D.C., territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and others.

The section outlines technical amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965, updating references and terminology, such as replacing committee names in the House of Representatives and Senate, and changing terms like "chairman" to "chairperson" for consistency.

The section amends the definition of disease prevention and health promotion services by adding information about heart rate and respiratory function, along with including details on testing and treating infectious diseases, especially for older individuals. It also reorganizes some subparagraphs for clarity.

The section focuses on improving health outcomes through various measures. It involves updating and enhancing research and evaluation activities, funding and supporting falls prevention programs for older individuals, and fostering community strategies to reduce social isolation, particularly across generations.

The Assistant Secretary can offer technical help to state or area aging agencies about the requirements for evidence-based programs under the Older Americans Act. They may also consider using practices based on the latest science to improve health outcomes.

The bill section aims to improve multipurpose senior centers by adding access to these centers as a key consideration in certain federal and state plans related to senior services. It also requires evaluations of these services to be made public if feasible.

The section of the bill focuses on improving home conditions for older individuals by amending laws related to indoor air quality and weatherization. It allows for renovations and repairs to help older people stay in their homes safely and healthily, emphasizing that weatherization assistance should not duplicate existing federal aid.

The section updates existing law to direct the National Resource Center to offer training, resources, and best practices to support individuals who work with older adults.

The amendment to Section 417 of the Older Americans Act focuses on enhancing multigenerational activities by promoting mentorship opportunities for older individuals to work with younger generations, allowing these activities in various facilities, updating reporting requirements to congressional committees, and broadening programs to include senior centers and other residential facilities for older adults.

The section requires the Secretary to create a report on the health outcomes of older individuals living with or near family members. This report will compare the physical and mental health of these individuals to those who do not live in such settings, assess how living in these settings affects social isolation, and discuss the different types of living arrangements and their impacts. The report must be submitted to various Senate and House committees within two years of the Act's enactment.

The section mandates that the Assistant Secretary coordinates with relevant authorities to ensure that programs for digital literacy and broadband adoption are accessible to the aging population, helping them age in place. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary must submit a report on these coordination efforts to several Congressional committees within 90 days of the Act's enactment.

The proposed legislative changes emphasize incorporating medically tailored meals into existing nutrition services. These amendments highlight the importance of using innovative strategies and personalized meal plans to meet individuals' medical and nutritional needs.

The amendment allows a State to use up to 25% of certain federal funds to provide meals that older individuals can take away from community meal sites. The State must ensure these meals complement other meal services and inform the Assistant Secretary about this plan and the details of the funds used.

The Comptroller General is required to conduct a study on the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, examining how states and tribal organizations use the program's funds, particularly focusing on the purchase of local and regional food products. The study should also identify challenges and may include recommendations for improving the program's effectiveness. A report detailing the study's findings must be submitted to specific Congressional committees within 18 months of the Act's enactment.

The section describes a program aimed at reducing hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition among older individuals by providing grants for innovative nutrition projects. It prioritizes projects in rural areas, allows some flexibility with current rules to improve food services, and requires reports on the effectiveness of these innovations, with authority expiring in 2029.

The section proposes a program where grants are provided to eligible entities, like state agencies or nonprofit organizations, to try out new ways to improve food programs aimed at reducing hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition among older individuals. Priority is given to projects in rural areas, and regular reports are required to evaluate and recommend successful approaches for future use.

The section aims to improve the National Family Caregiver Support Program by updating various requirements and definitions related to caregivers, including recognizing the unique needs of older relatives caring for children or youth affected by issues like substance use disorder. It mandates improvements in caregiver assessments, enhances support services, and ensures regular program evaluation and technical assistance.

Section 402 amends the existing law to emphasize the inclusion of respite care services for family members and others who volunteer to care for older individuals, including those with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's disease. These services aim to support caregivers by providing temporary relief through various care models.

In this section, the law changes the wording from referring to “mentally impaired older individuals” to “older individuals with cognitive, physical, or mental impairments,” aiming for more inclusive language in supportive services.

The amendment to Section 411(a)(13) of the United States Code focuses on creating a national resource center. This center aims to support and professionalize the direct care workforce by offering training, technical assistance, and promoting strategies for recruitment and retention, all to better serve older individuals and those with disabilities.

The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act is amended to update definitions, advisory council membership, and responsibilities. It includes provisions for adding the Assistant Secretary for Health to the advisory council, sets a limit on non-federal members, emphasizes support for families affected by substance use disorders, adjusts reporting timelines, and extends the council's termination date to September 30, 2029.

The amendments to the RAISE Family Caregivers Act make some clarifications, such as allowing the Secretary or their designee to perform certain actions, ensuring caregiver programs are made publicly available, and changing references to advisory committee laws. Additionally, the termination date for certain provisions of the Act is extended to September 30, 2029.

The section outlines amendments to the Community Service Employment Program for older Americans, enhancing performance assessments and reporting. It stipulates adjustments for grantees who do not meet performance targets and updates definitions of services offered to assist with employment, ensuring clarity in services like job training, literacy programs, and career planning.

The Comptroller General of the United States must review how the older American community service employment program, under the Older Americans Act, is similar to or different from programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. They will also analyze how effectively these programs help older people find community service jobs and suggest improvements. The results of this review will be reported to Congress within 180 days after completion.

The section amends the Older Americans Act to create the Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee. This committee, made up of both voting and non-voting members with expertise in Native American issues, will provide advice to the Assistant Secretary on the needs of older Native Americans, meet at least twice a year, and coordinate with other related committees. They will also create an annual report detailing their activities and recommendations.

The amendment to Section 636 requires that programs offer supportive services as much as possible, changing the wording from "may" to "shall, as practicable," and updates the term "in-home assistance" to "in-home services." Additionally, a new subsection is added in Section 644 mandating a report within one year regarding the use of funds for supportive services, specifying the amount allocated, recipients of awards, and a summary of services provided.

The section requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress within 18 months on the challenges that Indian Tribes and organizations serving Native Hawaiians face in accessing certain Native American programs under the Older Americans Act. The report should also estimate the number of unserved Native Americans, identify states and agencies supporting these Tribes, detail required funding, and explain how funds are being used to assist older Native Americans.

The amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 change the terms "Indian tribe" and "tribal organization" to "Indian Tribe" and "Tribal organization" throughout the document. Additionally, the references to congressional committees are updated to reflect their current names.

The amendment to Section 201(d)(2)(A) of the U.S. Code specifies that the Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs must work on a full-time basis.

The section amends a law to support elder abuse prevention by creating an information center that shares best practices and resources for training and technical assistance. This includes providing training resources for paralegals or law students supervised by attorneys to help various programs and services protect the elderly from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The amendment to Section 712 aims to improve the training of unpaid volunteer representatives under the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program by considering the specific training needs for different types of volunteers and reducing unnecessary requirements. It mandates that the Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs regularly reviews and updates training standards to ensure they are suitable for each volunteer type.

The amendment requires the Assistant Secretary to submit an annual report to certain Senate and House committees. This report must compile all yearly reports from State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs and provide a summary of the findings, which will also be made publicly available.

Each year, the Assistant Secretary must deliver a report to specific Senate and House Committees and make it available to the public. This report should include all the reports from section 712(h) and summarize their findings.

The Assistant Secretary aims to partner with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study how well the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, established under the Older Americans Act, are working, highlighting any challenges and suggesting improvements. The findings will be released in a report by the National Academies within 18 months of starting the study.

The section amends funding amounts for the Administration on Aging, increasing the allocated funds for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. It specifies new funding levels for four different subsections, ensuring a gradual increase in financial resources over this period.

The document outlines proposed increases in funding for state and community programs on aging, including grants and nutrition services, from fiscal year 2025 through 2029. These amendments update the financial allocations for various subsections, aiming to enhance the support for elderly services each year during this period.

The bill changes the funding amounts for activities related to health, independence, and longevity in Section 411(b) of the U.S. Code. It increases the funding for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2029, specifying new amounts for these years.

The amendment changes the funding for the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act, increasing the amounts from previous allocations to new figures starting at $540.3 million for the fiscal year 2025, and rising each year to reach approximately $647.4 million for the fiscal year 2029.

The grants for Native Americans have been increased, with the new funding amounts set at $47,028,435 for 2025 and gradually growing to $56,346,220 by 2029 in paragraph (1), and at $13,584,151 for 2025, reaching $16,275,591 by 2029 in paragraph (2).

The section amends the existing law to increase the funding amounts for elder rights protection activities. It adjusts the allocations for the years 2025 to 2029, with specified increments each year for specified sections of the legislation.