,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #abbe ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #bi1 #bjai,mr4 ,casey introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife to establish the ,office of ,older ,,lgbt ,policy and a rural outreach grant program carried out by such ,office1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,elder ,pride ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,definitions ,section #ajb of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#cd7 through 7#dj7 and paragraphs 7#da7 through 7#ed7 as paragraphs 7#ce7 through 7#da7 and paragraphs 7#dc7 through 7#ef71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#cc7 the following3 7#cd7 ,the term ,,lgbt means lesbian1 gay1 bisexual1 or transgender4 2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#da71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7#db7 ,the term older ,,lgbt individual means an older individual that identifies as ,,lgbt4 4 #c4 ,office of older ,,lgbt policy 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,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 ,older ,,lgbt ,policy 7referred to in this subsection as the ,office74 7#b7 ,the ,office shall be headed by a ,director of the ,office of ,older ,,lgbt ,policy 7referred to in this subsection as the ,director7 who shall be appointed by the ,assistant ,secretary4 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 older ,,lgbt individuals2 7,b7 serve as the effective and visible advocate on behalf of older ,,lgbt 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,c7 support1 conduct1 and arrange for research in the field of ,,lgbt aging with a special emphasis on gathering statistics on older ,,lgbt individuals2 7,d7 collect and disseminate information related to challenges experienced by older ,,lgbt individuals with an emphasis on the challenges experienced by older ,,lgbt individuals residing in rural areas and older ,,lgbt individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome 7,,hiv_/,,aids72 7,e7 recommend policies and priorities beneficial to older ,,lgbt individuals and promote the implementation and adoption of culturally competent care and services for such individuals2 and 7,f7 administer and evaluate grants that will help older ,,lgbt individuals1 including grants under section #dbc4 7#d7 ,not later than #e years after the date of enactment of the ,elder ,pride ,act of #bjai1 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 fiscal 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 ,older ,,lgbt ,policy1 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 7d71 and is-- 7i7 a ,state2 or 7ii7 an agency1 organization1 or institution that focuses on serving the needs of older individuals or ,,lgbt 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 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to provide eligible entities with resources and incentives to devise a long-term comprehensive strategy for connecting with older ,,lgbt individuals residing in rural areas and meeting the needs of such individuals4 7c7 ,authority for grants ,the ,director may1 for the purpose described in subsection 7b71 make grants to eligible entities to carry out activities approved by the ,director in accordance with subsection 7e74 7d7 ,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 served by such 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 purpose described in subsection 7b74 7e7 ,approved activities 7#a7 ,in general ,a grant under this section shall be available only for activities approved by the ,director to carry out a strategy designed to create a cooperative and lasting partnership between older ,,lgbt individuals residing in rural areas and the eligible entity receiving the grant4 7#b7 ,approved activities ,activities approved by the ,director may include initiatives that-- 7,a7 engage in education and training around community outreach to older ,,lgbt individuals residing in rural areas2 7,b7 reduce isolation and improve access to care for older ,,lgbt individuals residing in rural areas by building relationships between such individuals and the local community2 7,c7 foster relationships between local ,,lgbt-affirming service providers and older ,,lgbt individuals residing in rural areas2 7,d7 improve ,,lgbt cultural competency among organizations and personnel providing services to older individuals residing in rural areas2 and 7,e7 expand the use of nondiscrimination policies that-- 7i7 protect sexual orientation and gender identity2 and 7ii7 create community spaces that are inclusive to older ,,lgbt individuals4 7f7 ,standards and guidelines ,the ,director shall establish standards and guidelines for approved 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 7g7 ,coordination with local entities 7#a7 ,cooperation ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall1 in carrying out the approved 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 older ,,lgbt individuals in the area served by such activities2 and 7,b7 other public and private organizations and agencies providing services for older ,,lgbt individuals 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 economically underserved populations1 as determined by the ,director4 7h7 ,reports ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,elder ,pride ,act of #bjai1 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 fiscal years4 4