Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 8060
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Social Welfare
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-06-24T08:09:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 8060)

Purpose

This bill reauthorizes and expands federal funding for programs under the Social Security Act to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It focuses on training care workers, strengthening protective services, supporting advocates, linking health/legal services, and addressing social isolation among older adults and adults with disabilities.

Key Provisions

Nursing Home Worker Training Grants (Section 2041):
Provides states with formula-based grants ($410 million per year for FY 2027–2030), allocated by share of residents aged 65+ or with disabilities; minimum 0.25% per state.
2% reserved for Indian tribes/tribal organizations; 2% for federal admin/evaluation.
Required uses: Wage subsidies, tuition/licensing fees, child care, transportation for eligible workers (e.g., aides, nurses in nursing homes, home health, hospices).
Allowed uses: Emergency funds, clothing, legal aid for employment barriers, paid leave support.
States can sub-grant to local nonprofits/labor groups; max 10% for admin/technical assistance.
Annual state reports; Secretary reports to Congress every 4 years.

Adult Protective Services (Section 2042):
Direct funding: $10 million/year (FY 2027–2030).
State entitlements: $500 million/year.
Grants: $80 million/year (now including tribes; 2% tribal reservation).
Supports investigation/response to abuse/neglect.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Section 2043):
Grants/training: $23 million (FY 2027), $30 million/year (FY 2028–2029).
State development: $30 million/year (FY 2027–2030).
Advocates for residents in long-term care facilities.

Incentives for Structural Competency (New Section 2047):
Medical-Legal Partnerships: $125 million/year grants to states for health-legal links (e.g., hotlines, partnerships in clinics/hospitals); biannual reports.
Social Isolation Programs: $63 million/year grants/training for area agencies/community groups to screen, intervene, connect at-risk individuals; triennial reports.
Defines terms like social isolation (objective lack of contact) and loneliness (subjective feeling alone).

Assessment Reports (Section 3):
Biennial HHS reports to Congress on elder justice programs' effectiveness; $10 million/year.
Ensures independent evaluations via ACL's Office of Performance and Evaluation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Replaces/amends Sections 2041–2043 of Social Security Act with higher, mandatory appropriations (previously discretionary/lower levels).
Shifts some programs to state entitlements (guaranteed funding) vs. competitive grants.
Adds tribal eligibility/funding across programs.
Introduces new Section 2047 for medical-legal partnerships (explicitly authorized in APS activities) and social isolation interventions.
Technical fixes (e.g., citation updates).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases HHS/ACL workload for grants, reports, evaluations; mandates staffing/resources.
Citizens: Better-trained care workers may improve safety/quality in nursing homes/home care; enhanced protections reduce abuse risk; legal-health links address root issues like housing/eviction.
Care Facilities/Providers: Easier worker recruitment/retention via subsidies; potential for paid leave.
No direct international effects.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Older adults and adults with disabilities: Primary beneficiaries via prevention/protection.
Caregivers/family: Supported through worker training/stability.
States, Indian tribes/tribal organizations, local governments/nonprofits: Receive grants/sub-grants.
Health/care providers (nursing homes, home health agencies, hospices, FQHCs): Worker support, partnerships.
Area agencies on aging, ombudsmen: Expanded roles/funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Standard appropriations (mandatory spending from Treasury); supplement-not-supplant rules prevent replacing state funds; 2-year obligation deadlines with reallotment.
Constitutional: No apparent issues; Congress's spending power under Article I.
Political: Significant new spending (~$1.2 billion/year); emphasizes equity (tribal/minority/rural inclusion); promotes evidence-based evaluation for accountability.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Recent Actions

2026-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-24: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-24: Introduced in House
2026-03-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (28 pages)