How S 913 changes current law

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a Senior Home Modification Assistance Initiative within the Older Americans Act to coordinate federal efforts for home modifications enabling older individuals to live independently and safely.

• TITLE VIII--SENIOR HOME MODIFICATION ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE SEC. 801. SENIOR 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 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 Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act that support home assessments and home modifications for older individuals. (c) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Senior 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; (2) for the fiscal year of the report, statistical data on the number of older individuals 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), 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).

  This addition creates a new initiative focused on home modifications to help older individuals live safely and independently.