Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024

Bill: 118-s-4776
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2024-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Adult day care
Advisory bodies
Aging
Air quality
Child care and development
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Department of Health and Human Services
Disability assistance
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Employment and training programs
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Executive agency funding and structure
Family relationships
Family services
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Mental health
Nutrition and diet
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: 

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029, modifies, and establishes programs under the Older Americans Act, which supports social services and activities for individuals aged 60 years or older.

Reauthorized programs and activities include

the national eldercare locator service;

regional aging and disability resource centers;

grants to support counseling and assistance on pensions and other retirement benefits;

grants to support home-delivered nutrition services (sometimes referred to as 
meals on wheels
 programs);

programs to facilitate the delivery of supportive services to tribal organizations; and

programs to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

The bill also modifies existing programs for older individuals, including by explicitly permitting states to use certain grant funds to make carryout meals available at congregate meal sites or community locations. (Some providers began offering carryout meals to seniors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Further, the bill permits the Administration on Aging to establish and operate, through grants to or contracts with eligible entities, a national resource center to support growth of the direct care workforce. The center’s activities may include the provision of training and technical assistance and the promotion of strategies to recruit and retain direct care workers. 

Finally, the bill establishes or reconvenes certain advisory groups, including (1) an advisory committee to provide guidance regarding the needs of older Native Americans and the implementation of related programs, and (2) a White House Conference on Aging to recommend improvements to federal programs that serve older individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-11
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-12-11
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-12-11
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6916-6925)
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6925-6934)
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 505.
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Sanders with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-09-12
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Sanders with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-07-31
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2024-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2024-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate