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119-hr-8060119th CongressWALLET

Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]

Introduced

Summary

nursing-home worker training is the central focus of this bill, which would reauthorize and expand federal elder justice programs. It also strengthens adult protective services, long-term care ombudsman work, medical-legal partnerships, social isolation efforts, and tribal participation.

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  • Workers: Creates state entitlement grants for nursing-home and long-term care staff, authorized at about $410 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 to fund wage subsidies, tuition and licensing fees, childcare, transportation, and at least two weeks of paid leave.
  • Older adults and caregivers: Expands Adult Protective Services and ombudsman supports with multiple appropriations lines, including roughly $590 million per year in APS-related funding and $30–60 million per year for ombudsman grants to boost investigations, legal referrals, and social isolation interventions.
  • Tribal and community programs: Explicitly includes Indian tribes and tribal organizations as eligible recipients, reserves at least 2 percent of some program funds for tribal grants, and funds medical-legal partnerships and legal hotlines for older adults and adults with disabilities.

*Would increase federal spending by roughly $1.2 billion per year across FY2027–FY2030, reflecting the bill's specified appropriations.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More pay and training for care workers

If enacted, the bill would create state-entitlement grants to recruit, train, and retain nursing home and long-term care workers. It would appropriate $410 million each year for FY2027–FY2030. States must use funds for wage subsidies, tuition and licensing exam fees, child care, transportation, and at least two weeks of paid leave per year. Two percent of each year would be reserved for tribal grants, two percent for federal administrative costs, States may use up to 10% for administration, and unobligated amounts must be returned after two years for reallotment.

Grants linking medical and legal services

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary to set up a state grant program within two years to link health, social, and legal services for older adults and people with disabilities. It would appropriate $125 million each year for FY2027–FY2030. Eligible placements include area agencies on aging, certain clinics, and hospitals serving many Medicare or Medicaid patients. States would submit biannual reports, and federal support must supplement, not replace, other funds.

Grants to reduce senior social isolation

If enacted, the bill would give grants to area agencies on aging and community groups to screen, reach, and connect older adults and people with disabilities who are at risk of social isolation. It would appropriate $63 million each year for FY2027–FY2030. Grants would pay for outreach, community interventions, referrals to clinical services, and training. The Secretary must report on implementation and evaluation three years after enactment and every three years after that.

More funding for Adult Protective Services

If enacted, the bill would make Adult Protective Services a state entitlement and provide recurring federal grants to states and tribes. It would appropriate $500 million, $80 million, and $10 million each year for FY2027–FY2030 for specified APS accounts. The Secretary would reserve at least 2% of one funding line each year for tribal grants and consult with tribes on distribution. The bill would also explicitly allow APS activities delivered through medical-legal partnerships.

More funding for ombudsman programs

If enacted, the bill would provide specific appropriations for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to support advocates for nursing home and long-term care residents. It would appropriate $23 million for FY2027 and $30 million for each of FY2028 and FY2029 for one subsection, and $30 million for each year FY2027–FY2030 for another subsection. The funds would support complaint investigation, resident advocacy, and training for ombudsman programs.

Funding for independent program evaluations

If enacted, the bill would require HHS to maintain and staff the Office of Performance and Evaluation to do independent research and program evaluation. It would appropriate $10 million each year for FY2027–FY2030 to support independent evaluation and reporting. The work would follow HHS evaluation standards and aim to improve program design and accountability, but it would not itself change who is eligible for services.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/22/2026

  • Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/3/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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