[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1583 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1583
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish an initiative,
carried out by the Assistant Secretary for Aging, to coordinate Federal
efforts and programs for home modifications enabling older individuals
and individuals with disabilities to live independently and safely in a
home environment, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 7, 2019
Mr. Morelle (for himself, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mrs.
Rodgers of Washington) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish an initiative,
carried out by the Assistant Secretary for Aging, to coordinate Federal
efforts and programs for home modifications enabling older individuals
and individuals with disabilities to live independently and safely in a
home environment, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Senior and Disability Home
Modification Assistance Initiative Act''.
SEC. 2. SENIOR HOME MODIFICATION ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE.
The Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``TITLE VIII--SENIOR AND DISABILITY HOME MODIFICATION ASSISTANCE
INITIATIVE
``SEC. 801. SENIOR AND DISABILITY HOME MODIFICATION ASSISTANCE
INITIATIVE.
``(a) In General.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish and
carry out an initiative under this section to coordinate Federal
resources to provide home modifications for older individuals and
individuals with disabilities to support enabling such individuals to
live independently and safely in a home environment.
``(b) Coordination of Federal Efforts.--In carrying out the
initiative under this section, the Assistant Secretary shall, through
memoranda of understanding, agreements, or other appropriate means of
coordination, coordinate all Federal efforts and Federal programs
existing prior to the date of enactment of the Senior and Disability
Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act that support home
assessments and home modifications for older individuals and
individuals with disabilities.
``(c) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of the Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative
Act, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall publish a
report that includes--
``(1) an inventory of Federal programs that support home
assessments and home modifications for older individuals and
individuals with disabilities;
``(2) for the fiscal year of the report, statistical data
on the number of older individuals and individuals with
disabilities served by each Federal program described in
paragraph (1) and the approximate amount of Federal funding
invested in each such program;
``(3) a demographic analysis of individuals served by each
such program during the fiscal year of the report;
``(4) an analysis of duplication and gaps in populations
supported by the Federal programs described in paragraph (1);
and
``(5) an evaluation of the impact of Federal home
modification efforts and programs on health status and health
outcomes in populations supported by such efforts and programs.
``(d) Local Education and Outreach.--
``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary shall, through
the National Eldercare Locator Service established under
section 202(a)(21) and in cooperation with centers for
independent living described in part C of title VII of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.), identify
and publish an educational brochure on home modifications and
repairs for use by older individuals attempting to live
independently and safely in their homes and the caregivers of
such individuals.
``(2) Requirements.--The brochure published under paragraph
(1) shall--
``(A) be written in consumer-friendly language;
``(B) include information on the value of home
modifications to ensure a safe living environment as
individuals age;
``(C) include simple advice on common types of home
modification that boost safety and livability; and
``(D) include references to Federal resources
available to help offset the cost of home repairs or
modifications and where those resources can typically
be accessed locally.
``(3) Distribution.--
``(A) In general.--The brochure published under
paragraph (1) shall be distributed widely throughout
the aging network, using the National Eldercare Locator
Service, with State agencies, area agencies on aging,
and community-based service providers disseminating the
brochure to older individuals and caregivers.
``(B) Customization.--The Assistant Secretary shall
encourage State agencies, area agencies on aging, and
community-based service providers to customize the
brochure to include available non-Federal resources.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for
the production and dissemination of the brochure published
under paragraph (1).
``(e) Definition of Individual With a Disability.--In this title,
the term `individual with a disability' has the meaning given such term
in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12102).''.
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