,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bcab ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,april #ab1 #bjai,ms4 ,haaland 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,bonamici1 ,ms4 ,meng1 ,mr4 ,lowenthal1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,mr4 ,pappas1 and ,ms4 ,wasserman ,schultz7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife to establish the ,office of ,inclusivity and ,sexual ,health and a rural outreach grant program carried out by that ,office1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,elder ,pride ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,section #ajb of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#bd7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b7 by striking and at the end1 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,c77ii7 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and1 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 status as an ,,lgbt individual and ,,hiv status04 1 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#cd7 through 7#ed7 as paragraphs 7#ce7 through 7#ee71 respectively1 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#cc7 the following3 7#cd7 ,the term ,,lgbt means lesbian1 gay1 bisexual1 or transgender4 4 #c4 ,office of ,inclusivity and ,sexual ,health ,section #bja of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjaa7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7g7 7#a7 ,there is established in the ,administration an ,office of ,inclusivity and ,sexual ,health 7referred to in this subsection as the ,office74 7#b7 7,a7 ,the ,office shall be headed by a ,director of ,inclusivity and ,sexual ,health 7referred to in this subsection as the ,director7 who shall be appointed by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,the ,office shall include an ,assistant ,director of ,,lgbt ,policy 7referred to in this subsection as the ,assistant ,director7 who shall be appointed by the ,director to assist the ,director in carrying out this subsection1 including by carrying out the activities under paragraph 7#d74 7#c7 ,the ,director shall-- 7,a7 coordinate activities within the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 and between other ,federal departments and agencies1 to assure a continuum of improved services for ,,lgbt older individuals and older individuals of a protected class2 7,b7 promote a continuum of improved sexual health services for older individuals1 including by ensuring access to services for ,,lgbt older individuals and older individuals of a protected class2 7,c7 collect and disseminate information related to the challenges experienced by older individuals of a protected class and all older individuals trying to seek sexual health services1 including information on the rise of sexually transmitted diseases among the population of older individuals2 and 7,d7 administer and evaluate grants that will help ,,lgbt older individuals1 older individuals of a protected class1 and all older individuals seeking sexual health services1 including grants under section #dbc4 7#d7 ,the ,assistant ,director shall-- 7,a7 serve as the effective and visible advocate on behalf of ,,lgbt older individuals-- 7i7 within the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services and with other departments and agencies of the ,federal ,government regarding all ,federal policies affecting such individuals2 and 7ii7 in the ,states to promote the enhanced delivery of services and implementation of programs1 under this ,act and other ,federal ,acts1 for the benefit of such individuals2 7,b7 support1 conduct1 and arrange for research in the field of ,,lgbt aging with a special emphasis on gathering statistics on ,,lgbt older individuals2 7,c7 collect and disseminate information related to challenges experienced by ,,lgbt older individuals with an emphasis on the challenges experienced by ,,lgbt older individuals residing in rural areas and ,,lgbt older individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome 7,,hiv_/,,aids72 and 7,d7 recommend policies and priorities beneficial to ,,lgbt older individuals and promote the implementation and adoption of culturally competent care and services for such individuals4 7#e7 ,not later than #e years after the date of enactment of this ,act and every #e years thereafter1 the ,director shall submit to ,congress a report describing the activities carried out under this subsection during the preceding #e years4 4 #d4 ,rural outreach grant program ,part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjcb et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #dbc4 ,rural outreach grant program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,office of ,inclusivity and ,sexual ,health established under section #bja7;g74 7#b7 ,eligible ,entity ,the term eligible entity-- 7,a7 means an entity that submits an application to the ,director in accordance with subsection 7c71 and is-- 7i7 a ,state2 7ii7 an ,indian tribe or tribal organization2 or 7iii7 an agency1 nonprofit organization1 or institution that-- 7,i7 focuses on serving the needs of older individuals1 ,,lgbt individuals1 or individuals of a protected class2 or 7,,ii7 focuses on providing sexual health services to all older individuals2 and 7,b7 may include an area agency on aging for a rural area or a multipurpose senior center4 7#c7 ,rural area ,the term rural area means an area that is not designated by the ,united ,states ,census ,bureau as an urbanized area or urban cluster4 7b7 ,authority for grants ,the ,director may make grants to eligible entities to carry out activities described in subsection 7d7 that are designed-- 7#a7 to create a cooperative and lasting partnership between ,,lgbt older individuals1 or older individuals of a protected class1 residing in rural areas and the eligible entity receiving the grant2 7#b7 to meet the needs of the individuals described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7#c7 to provide comprehensive sexual health services to all older individuals residing in rural areas4 7c7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,director at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,director may reasonably require1 including the contents described in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,contents ,an application for a grant under this section shall contain-- 7,a7 a description of the proposed activities to be supported by the grant2 7,b7 a description of the size and characteristics of the population in a rural area to be served by such proposed activities2 7,c7 a description of the public and private resources expected to be made available in connection with such activities2 7,d7 a demonstrated intent to partner with local organizations in rural areas in carrying out such activities2 7,e7 evidence in a form acceptable to the ,director that such activities will meet urgent needs that are not met by available public and private sources2 and 7,f7 such other information or certifications that the ,director determines necessary to achieve the purposes described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of subsection 7b74 7d7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity may use funds made available by a grant under this section to carry out activities that include initiates that-- 7#a7 engage in education and training relating to community outreach to ,,lgbt older individuals1 or older individuals of a protected class1 residing in rural areas2 7#b7 reduce isolation and improve access to care for ,,lgbt older individuals1 or older individuals of a protected class1 residing in rural areas by building relationships between such individuals and the local community2 7#c7 foster relationships between local service providers and ,,lgbt older individuals1 or older individuals of a protected class1 residing in rural areas2 7#d7 improve cultural competency with respect to ,,lgbt individuals1 and older individuals of a protected class1 among organizations and personnel providing services to older individuals residing in rural areas2 7#e7 expand the use of non-discrimination policies that-- 7,a7 protect sexual orientation and gender identity2 and 7,b7 create community spaces that are inclusive to ,,lgbt older individuals and older individuals of a protected class2 and 7#f7 focus on providing sexual health services to older individuals residing in rural areas4 7e7 ,standards and guidelines ,the ,director shall establish standards and guidelines for activities supported by a grant under this section4 ,such standards and guidelines shall permit an eligible entity receiving such a grant to refine or adapt the standards and guidelines for an individual project1 where such a refinement or adaptation is made necessary by a local circumstance4 7f7 ,coordination with local entities 7#a7 ,cooperation ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall1 in carrying out activities supported by the grant1 agree to cooperate and coordinate with-- 7,a7 the agencies of the relevant ,state and local governments responsible for providing services to ,,lgbt older individuals1 or older individuals of a protected class1 in the area served by such activities2 and 7,b7 other public and private organizations and agencies providing services to ,,lgbt older individuals1 or older individuals of a protected class1 in such area4 7#b7 ,prioritization ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall prioritize cooperating and coordinating with public and private organizations and agencies that primarily serve populations of older individuals with the greatest social need4 7g7 ,reports ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,elder ,pride ,act1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,director shall submit to ,congress a report describing the activities carried out under this section during the preceding #b years4 4