Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§285e–3 Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER III — NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES › Part C — Specific Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes › subpart 5 — national institute on aging › § 285e–3

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Institute Director must provide funding through grants and cooperative agreements with public and private nonprofit groups to develop or expand at least 10 Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. Each center must be based at one institution or a qualifying consortium that meets the Director’s research and training standards. Centers must study aging (including menopause), test treatments and devices that help people avoid nursing homes or long hospital stays, and train researchers. Centers should be fairly spread across U.S. regions. "Independence" means being able to do daily and household tasks without help or supervision.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §285e–3

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Development and expansion of centers
The Director of the Institute shall enter into cooperative agreements with, and make grants to, public and private nonprofit entities for the development or expansion of not less than 10 centers of excellence in geriatric research and training of researchers. Each such center shall be known as a Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center.
(b)Functions of centers
Each center developed or expanded under this section shall—
(1)utilize the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting such research and training qualifications as may be prescribed by the Director; and
(2)conduct—
(A)research into the aging processes and into the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders, and complications related to aging, including menopause, which research includes research on such treatments, and on medical devices and other medical interventions regarding such diseases, disorders, and complications, that can assist individuals in avoiding institutionalization and prolonged hospitalization and in otherwise increasing the independence of the individuals; and
(B)programs to develop individuals capable of conducting research described in subparagraph (A).
(c)Geographic distribution of centers
In making cooperative agreements and grants under this section for the development or expansion of centers, the Director of the Institute shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, any such centers are distributed equitably among the principal geographic regions of the United States.
(d)“Independence” defined
For purposes of this section, the term “independence”, with respect to diseases, disorders, and complications of aging, means the functional ability of individuals to perform activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living without assistance or supervision.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1990—Pub. L. 101–557, § 202(a)(1), substituted “Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers” for “Centers of geriatric research and training” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–557, § 202(a)(2), (b)(1)(A), inserted “not less than 10” before “centers of excellence” and inserted provision designating centers as Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers. Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101–557, § 202(b)(1)(B), inserted before semicolon at end “, including menopause, which research includes research on such treatments, and on medical devices and other medical interventions regarding such diseases, disorders, and complications, that can assist individuals in avoiding institutionalization and prolonged hospitalization and in otherwise increasing the independence of the individuals”. Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–557, § 202(b)(2), substituted “research described in subparagraph (A)” for “research concerning aging and concerning such diseases, disorders, and complications.” Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–557, § 202(c), added subsec. (d).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 285e–3

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110