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

This text provides a detailed table of contents for a congressional act focused on improving services and support for older individuals. It outlines various titles and sections, covering aspects like mental health, health outcomes, nutrition services, family caregiving support, community service opportunities, services for Native elders, long-term care, elder abuse prevention, and funding authorizations.

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 section updates the objectives in a law by rephrasing and reorganizing its provisions. It emphasizes improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs and acknowledges the role of families and community organizations in supporting older adults.

The section amends the Older Americans Act to allow the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services to appoint someone to focus on mental health and substance use issues among older people, ensuring these needs are a priority. This appointed person will collaborate with other health agencies to develop strategies and report on progress, aiming to improve services and reduce any gaps or overlaps in care.

The amendment to Section 202 (42 U.S.C. 3012) removes certain wording and adds a requirement for the Assistant Secretary to publish an online list of national resource centers and demonstration projects each year. This list will provide details like descriptions, goals, and funding for each center, and it will be shared with relevant state agencies and congressional committees.

The amendment to Title II requires the Assistant Secretary to work with other federal departments and agencies to make sure the aging network and individuals they serve know about and can access federal programs, like those for housing and healthcare, that help them age in place.

The Assistant Secretary must work with leaders of relevant Federal departments to ensure that the people supported by the Act know about and can access Federal programs. These programs should help meet their housing, healthcare, and support needs so they can continue living independently 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."

In this section of the bill, it outlines that recipients of grants or contracts can make agreements with for-profit organizations to provide services, as long as the costs are reimbursed, fair market rates are charged, and excess funds support services under the Act. Agreements must not undermine duties or services provided, and any conflicts of interest must be addressed, with compliance overseen by State agencies.

The Assistant Secretary is required to provide guidance within one year on how funds from certain parts of the Older Americans Act can be transferred between area agencies on aging. This transfer can happen during a budget year if approved by the state agency and agreed upon by the involved area agencies.

The updated law requires that when a state agency appoints a new area agency on aging, it must first offer this role to a local government unit if they can meet certain conditions, like meeting requirements, having experience in helping older people, or if no other suitable organization is available in the area. Additionally, the boundaries of this unit should closely match the service area's boundaries.

The proposed amendments to the existing law ensure that area agencies on aging have the necessary capabilities and oversight to develop and implement an area plan according to federal and state laws. Additionally, if an agency fails to comply with the requirements for two consecutive years, the state may require it to submit a corrective plan for a one-year period until it meets the necessary standards.

The bill section focuses on enhancing support for older individuals with disabilities by fostering better coordination between aging and disability service networks. It tasks the Administrator from the Administration for Community Living with identifying ways to improve these relationships, learning from disability networks, and providing guidance and technical assistance to ensure effective implementation of services under the Older Americans Act.

The amended section of the bill requires that the State agency offer technical assistance to area agencies on aging. This assistance focuses on enhancing business skills, solid financial practices, and capacity building to better support older individuals and their caregivers through funded activities.

The section ensures that states will work with designated agencies to provide assistive technology to older adults, including those with disabilities, by coordinating with state programs and local aging agencies.

The White House Conference on Aging is authorized to take place in 2025 with the aim of developing policy recommendations to improve programs for older Americans. It will involve various government representatives, experts in the aging field, and the general public, and will be directed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who will also handle its administration, reporting, and acceptance of gifts to support it.

The President is authorized to hold a White House Conference on Aging between January 21, 2025, and December 31, 2025, to discuss and recommend policies for older individuals and their families. The conference will bring together government representatives, professionals, volunteers, and public members to evaluate and develop strategies for improving federal support on issues like retirement, health care, and social challenges for older adults.

In this section, the Secretary is responsible for organizing a conference on aging, which involves consulting with experts, planning an agenda, and ensuring fair representation. The section also allows the Secretary to accept donations and keep track of them while providing necessary data and resources to conference delegates.

The section mandates that the Secretary must release a preliminary report about a Conference within 100 days after it ends, with the opportunity for comments, and a final report with recommendations to the President and Congress within 180 days.

The section provides definitions for specific terms used in the title, including “Conference,” which refers to the White House Conference on Aging, “Secretary,” meaning the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and “State,” which includes U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and certain U.S. territories.

The bill updates a part of the law related to health services by adding heart rate and respiratory function to health screenings and emphasizing the need for information about infectious diseases that older people might be more likely to experience. It also rearranges some of the subparagraphs to make space for these additions.

The section outlines amendments aimed at enhancing health outcomes through research adjustments, expanding falls prevention programs for older adults, and coordinating efforts to create age-friendly communities. It includes specific changes to improve evaluation processes, broaden program reach, and incorporate strategies for tackling social isolation among different generations.

The section updates various parts of the law to include "evidence-informed practices" alongside "evidence-based" services for disease prevention and health promotion, focusing on improving health outcomes. It also requires the Assistant Secretary to provide guidance and maintain a list of these practices and to collaborate with health organizations like the CDC and the National Institute on Aging.

This section of the bill makes changes to existing laws to enhance multipurpose senior centers. It updates rules related to the establishment and maintenance of these centers, ensures that services provided there are included in area agency plans, and encourages states to publicize evaluations of these services.

The proposed changes to the bill focus on improving conditions for older individuals by enhancing indoor air quality standards in places where they gather or live and by supporting housing projects. This includes assisting with necessary home repairs and weatherization to help them maintain their homes while meeting safety and health standards.

The section amends certain provisions of U.S. law to emphasize engaging both younger and older generations through multigenerational activities. It includes changes to promote volunteerism, like allowing older people to mentor younger ones, and expands the types of facilities that can host these activities to include senior centers and long-term care facilities.

The text mandates that within two years, the U.S. Comptroller General must conduct a study and report to Congress on housing programs for older people. This includes examining the effectiveness of government coordination, any overlaps or gaps in services, and recommending ways to improve housing availability and affordability for older adults under the Older Americans Act.

The Secretary is tasked with creating a report about the health outcomes of older individuals living close to family members. This report will compare the physical and mental health of those living near family with those who do not, assess how these living arrangements affect social isolation and loneliness, and describe the different types of living situations. The report is to be submitted to Congress within two years of the law's enactment.

The section directs the Assistant Secretary to work with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to make sure that groups helping older people know about and can access federal programs for digital literacy and broadband. Within 90 days of the law's enactment, the Assistant Secretary must report to several congressional committees about these coordination efforts.

The bill amends several sections of existing law to incorporate "medically tailored meals" into nutrition-related services and education. It emphasizes innovative approaches to delivering nutrition services and adapting services to meet individual medical and nutritional needs.

The section amends existing law to add that when choosing local nutrition providers, preference may be given to community-based organizations that meet specific requirements and can deliver nutrition services in the area.

A new amendment allows states to use up to 25% of certain federal funds to provide meals at community locations for older adults to eat outside of congregate meal sites. This use of funds must not replace but rather add to services already provided, and the state must inform the Assistant Secretary of their decision, detailing the amount and percentage of funds used for these meals.

The Nutrition Services Incentive Program section has been updated to allow state agencies or title VI grantees to try new ways of improving meal services for older people by focusing on quality, delivery, and efficiency. These agencies can request approval to skip certain rules if they hinder innovation, and they may use extra funds for these activities, provided that new funds exceed those allocated in fiscal year 2024. This authority will end in 2029, and a report on these innovations is due in 2028.

The section requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study, within 18 months, on the Nutrition Services Incentive Program to see how States and Tribal organizations use its funds, especially for buying local food, and to identify any challenges, along with possible recommendations for improvement.

The bill introduces a program where the Assistant Secretary can give grants to various public or nonprofit entities to develop innovative ways to improve nutrition programs. These entities must apply with a plan detailing their approach and how they will evaluate its success, and the Assistant Secretary must report on these activities annually to Congress.

The section establishes that the Assistant Secretary can give grants to eligible entities to create and test new ways to improve nutrition programs. These entities must apply showing their innovative approach, have a plan to measure its success, and share their findings. The Assistant Secretary must also report on these activities every year and set aside a small portion of available funds for this purpose.

The text describes amendments to the National Family Caregiver Support Program, focusing on improving caregiver assessments by considering cultural and language differences, ease of access, and quality of support. It broadens the definition of "child or youth," includes trauma-informed services, and requires regular updates and technical assistance to enhance caregiver support, particularly addressing unique needs related to substance use disorders.

Section 402 focuses on improving respite care services. It updates a law to ensure that family members and others who provide voluntary care to older adults, especially those with memory and neurological issues, receive support through different respite care options.

The text amends Section 321(a)(18) of a U.S. legal code to update language, replacing "mentally impaired older individuals" with "older individuals with cognitive, physical, or mental impairments" to clarify supportive services.

The amendment to Section 411(a)(13) establishes a national resource center focused on supporting the direct care workforce, particularly for older individuals and those with disabilities. It aims to provide training and assistance to both care workers and family caregivers, and promote strategies for improving recruitment and career advancement in this field.

The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act has been updated to redefine terms and reorganize sections. Key changes include additions to the advisory council and adjustments to its limitations, emphasis on addressing the specific needs of children and grandparents affected by substance use disorders, and modifications to reporting deadlines and termination dates.

The amendments to the RAISE Family Caregivers Act include allowing the Secretary's designee to oversee caregiver programs and making the program details publicly available. It also updates the reference to the Federal Advisory Committee Act and extends the sunset date of the act to September 30, 2029.

The Community Service Employment Program is being updated to improve its performance and accountability. It includes changes in reporting requirements, sets stricter conditions for grant competition, and modifies definitions to include services like literacy tutoring and legal assistance.

The section mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States conduct a review comparing different employment programs for older Americans and evaluate their effectiveness. The results of this review are to be reported to specific Congressional committees within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

The section adds a new advisory committee called the Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee to provide guidance on programs for older Native Americans. This committee will have 11 voting members with expertise in Native American issues, including at least one Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian, and will include non-voting federal representatives. It will meet at least twice a year and submit an annual report with activities and recommendations.

The bill amends sections related to supportive services for older Americans by requiring them to provide in-home services more consistently and mandates a report, due one year after the 2024 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, on the use of funds for services that promote healthy aging and independence.

The section requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to Congress within 18 months, evaluating how Indian Tribes and organizations serving Native Hawaiians access certain programs for older Americans and detailing how these are coordinated with other programs, as well as the necessary funding estimates. Additionally, it asks for details on how funds from another program are used to support older Native Americans.

The bill updates a part of the law related to the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. It requires the director to work full-time by adding the words “serve on a full-time basis” to the existing law.

The bill section amends existing law to create an information clearinghouse that collects and shares best practices and resources for legal training and assistance. This aims to support programs that protect the elderly from abuse and neglect by providing training resources for paralegals and law students supervised by attorneys.

The changes to Section 712 are focused on improving the training program for volunteers in the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Specifically, it aims to adjust training requirements based on the different types of representatives, with a goal to reduce unnecessary training for unpaid volunteers by tailoring standards to their specific needs and activities.

The section requires the Assistant Secretary to submit an annual report to specific Senate and House committees about the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. This report should combine all the yearly submissions from section 712(h) and include a summary of their findings, and it has to be made publicly available.

Each year, the Assistant Secretary must send a report to certain Senate and House committees and make it public. This report includes a collection of all the reports from section 712(h) of that year and summarizes their findings.

The Assistant Secretary is tasked with contracting the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, evaluating their effectiveness, challenges, and providing recommendations. The results of this study, including an analysis of the staff-to-bed ratio, will be publicly reported within 18 months of starting the contract.

The section amends the funding amounts for the Administration on Aging in the United States, increasing the allocation each year from 2025 to 2029. Specifically, it updates various funding figures in subsections and paragraphs to provide more resources through 2029, reflecting a general rise in financial support over these fiscal years.

The bill modifies funding amounts for State and community programs on aging, increasing the allocated resources for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2029, along with adjustments to the nutrition services incentive program budget for the same period. The changes specify updated monetary allocations to various subsections, ensuring increased financial support for each subsequent year listed.

The section amends funding amounts listed in an existing law, increasing the budget for activities promoting health, independence, and longevity over several fiscal years from 2025 to 2029. The adjustments specify new funding totals for each fiscal year, replacing older figures.

The Community Service Senior Opportunities Act is being amended to increase the funding amounts for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, raising the numbers each year, starting at $540,340,193 in 2025 and reaching $647,398,205 by 2029.

The section amends funding for grants to Native Americans by increasing the allocated amounts over a five-year period, with specified sums set for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2029. These updates replace previous funding figures with new ones, ensuring higher financial support for the outlined years.

The section amends financial allotments for elder rights protection activities, increasing the funding amounts each year from 2025 to 2029. For fiscal year 2025, the allocated funds are $22,809,108, and this amount gradually rises to $27,328,297 by fiscal year 2029.