Elder Pride Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8952
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Social Welfare
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T20:51:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the legislation. This bill amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to create a new grant program focused on outreach and support for LGBTQI older individuals and other protected classes living in rural areas, including efforts to improve access to care and sexual health services.
Key provisions outlined.
- Definitions: Establishes terms such as "LGBTQI" (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex), "protected class" (groups legally protected from discrimination), "rural area" (non-urbanized zones per Census Bureau), and "eligible entity" (states, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, nonprofits, or agencies serving older adults or LGBTQI needs, including area agencies on aging).
- Grant authority: The Assistant Secretary may award grants to eligible entities for activities that build partnerships, meet needs of rural LGBTQI older adults, and provide sexual health services.
- Application requirements: Entities must describe proposed activities, target populations, resources, local partnerships, and evidence of unmet needs.
- Use of funds: Supports education and training, reducing isolation, fostering relationships with providers, improving cultural competency, expanding nondiscrimination policies (covering sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics), and delivering sexual health services including for individuals with HIV.
- Conditions: Funds supplement rather than replace existing state or local resources; requires coordination with local governments and organizations serving those with greatest social need.
- Oversight: The Assistant Secretary sets standards, allows local adaptations, and submits annual reports to Congress.
- Funding: Authorizes $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
Significant changes to existing law introduced. The bill adds a new Section 423 to Part A of Title IV of the Older Americans Act, creating the first dedicated rural outreach grant program specifically addressing LGBTQI older individuals and protected classes within the Act's framework.
Potential impacts on government agencies, citizens, or international relations.
- Government agencies: The Assistant Secretary for Aging gains new grant administration and reporting duties; states, Tribes, and local entities may receive and manage additional funding streams.
- Citizens: Rural LGBTQI older adults and other protected groups could gain improved access to inclusive services and reduced isolation; general older adults in rural areas may benefit from expanded sexual health services.
- International relations: No direct effects, though eligibility for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations may support domestic coordination with tribal governments.
Identify the main stakeholders affected by this legislation.
- LGBTQI older individuals and older adults from protected classes in rural areas.
- Eligible entities, including states, Indian Tribes, nonprofits focused on older or LGBTQI needs, and area agencies on aging.
- Local service providers and community organizations.
- The Administration on Aging and Congress through oversight and reporting requirements.
Highlight any notable legal, constitutional, or political implications. The legislation emphasizes nondiscrimination policies based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics, and prioritizes services for populations with the greatest social need; it operates as a supplement to existing Older Americans Act programs without altering core constitutional structures or creating new federal mandates on states.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Elder Pride Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (8 pages)