Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Neal
Introduced
Summary
Expands and funds elder justice programs and long‑term care worker training. The bill creates multi‑year grants for nursing‑home worker training, Adult Protective Services, ombudsman and medical‑legal partnerships, and programs to reduce social isolation and improve tribal inclusion.
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- Older adults and families: Funds long‑term care ombudsman work and legal‑clinical linkages, boosts Adult Protective Services capacity, and creates grants to fight loneliness and connect people to community supports. Social/clinical support grants are funded at $63 million per year.
- Workers and employers: Establishes state entitlement nursing‑home worker training grants at $410 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 that can pay wage subsidies, tuition and licensing fees, child care help, and transportation.
- States, tribes, and community groups: Expands tribal eligibility, reserves 2 percent of nursing‑home training funds for tribal grants, and requires states to allow subgrants to local organizations with new reporting and evaluation rules.
*Provides roughly $5.0 billion in federal funding across FY2027–2030 for the programs specified, increasing federal spending over that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Adult Protective Services: tribal and legal help
If enacted, the bill would expand Adult Protective Services (APS) to include tribes and tribal organizations and to allow subgrants to local community groups. The Secretary would reserve 2% each year for tribal APS grants and tribes could apply directly for funds. The bill would also explicitly allow APS activities delivered through medical-legal partnerships and add a statutory definition of those partnerships.
Grants to build legal-health partnerships
If enacted, the bill would fund $125 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 for State grants to link health, social, and legal services for older adults and people with disabilities. The Secretary would have two years to set up the program and states would use funds to build medical-legal partnerships in area agencies on aging, health centers, minority-serving institutions, and eligible hospitals. Grants must add to, not replace, other federal or state funds, and states must report twice a year while the Secretary reports to Congress every four years.
Grants to reduce senior isolation
If enacted, the bill would provide $63 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 for grants and training to help older adults and people with disabilities at risk of social isolation or loneliness. Area agencies on aging and community groups would do outreach, run evidence-based loneliness programs, and connect people to clinical and social supports. The Secretary would require evaluations and must report results to Congress within three years and then every three years.
More pay and training for nursing staff
If enacted, the bill would create a Nursing Home Worker Training Grants program with $410 million per year for FY2027–FY2030. States and tribes would use the money for wage subsidies, tuition and licensing exam fees, childcare supports or referrals, and transportation assistance for eligible nursing home workers. The Secretary would reserve 2% each year for tribal grants and 2% for federal administration and evaluation. States could reserve up to 10% for administration, must obligate funds within two years, and get allotments based on their share of residents aged 65 or older or with a disability (minimum 0.25%).
More ombudsman help for residents
If enacted, the bill would appropriate funds for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: $23 million for FY2027 and $30 million for FY2028 and FY2029 for one part of the program, and $30 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 for a separate part. The money would support ombudsman services and training to help long-term care residents enforce rights and resolve grievances.
New oversight and evaluation office
If enacted, the bill would require the Administration for Community Living to maintain an Office of Performance and Evaluation with adequate staff and resources. It would appropriate $10 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 for that office. The Secretary would also have to report to Congress on subtitle B programs within two years and at least once every two years after that, including evaluation updates and possible recommendations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Neal
MA • D
Cosponsors
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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