S. 913 — Introduced in Senate

II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 913 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 24, 2017Mr. King (for himself, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 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 to live independently and safely in a home environment, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Senior Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act. 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: VIII Senior home modification assistance initiative 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). .