H.R. 8952

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8952 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8952

To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a LGBTQI rural 
outreach grant program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 21, 2026

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Mr. Pocan, Ms. 
Schakowsky, Mr. Casten, Mr. Peters, Ms. Balint, and Mr. Torres of New 
York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a LGBTQI rural 
outreach grant program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Elder Pride Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. RURAL OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM.

Part A of title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
3031 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 423. RURAL OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an 
entity that submits an application to the Assistant Secretary 
in accordance with subsection (c) and is--
``(A) a State;
``(B) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; or
``(C) an agency, nonprofit organization, or 
institution that--
``(i) focuses on serving the needs of older 
individuals, LGBTQI individuals, older LGBTQI 
individuals, or individuals of another 
protected class; or
``(ii) focuses on providing sexual health 
services to all older individuals, including 
services for individuals with HIV; and
``(D) may include an area agency on aging for a 
rural area or a multipurpose senior center.
``(2) LGBTQI.--The term `LGBTQI', used with respect to an 
individual, means a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 
or intersex individual.
``(3) Protected class.--The term `protected class' means a 
group of individuals sharing a common characteristic or 
identity who are legally protected against discrimination.
``(4) 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 cluster.
``(b) Authority for Grants.--The Assistant Secretary may make 
grants to eligible entities to carry out activities described in 
subsection (d) that are designed--
``(1) to create a cooperative and lasting partnership 
between LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a 
protected class, residing in rural areas and the eligible 
entity receiving the grant;
``(2) to meet the needs of the individuals described in 
paragraph (1); and
``(3) to provide comprehensive sexual health services to 
all older individuals residing in rural areas.
``(c) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
this section shall submit an application to the Assistant 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Assistant Secretary may reasonably require, 
including the contents described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Contents.--An application for a grant under this 
section shall contain--
``(A) a description of the proposed activities to 
be supported by the grant;
``(B) a description of the size and characteristics 
of the population in a rural area to be served by such 
proposed activities;
``(C) a description of the public and private 
resources expected to be made available in connection 
with such activities;
``(D) a demonstrated intent to partner with local 
organizations in rural areas in carrying out such 
activities;
``(E) evidence in a form acceptable to the 
Assistant Secretary that such activities will meet 
urgent needs that are not met by available public and 
private sources; and
``(F) such other information or certifications that 
the Assistant Secretary determines necessary to achieve 
the purposes described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of 
subsection (b).
``(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity may use funds made 
available by a grant under this section to carry out activities that 
include initiatives that--
``(1) engage in education and training relating to 
community outreach to LGBTQI older individuals, or older 
individuals of a protected class, residing in rural areas;
``(2) reduce isolation and improve access to care for 
LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a protected 
class, residing in rural areas by building relationships 
between such individuals and the local community;
``(3) foster relationships between local service providers 
and LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a 
protected class, residing in rural areas;
``(4) improve cultural competency with respect to LGBTQI 
individuals, and older individuals of a protected class, among 
organizations and personnel providing services to older 
individuals residing in rural areas;
``(5) expand the use of nondiscrimination policies that--
``(A) prohibit discrimination on the basis of 
sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex 
characteristics (including intersex traits); and
``(B) create community spaces that are inclusive to 
LGBTQI older individuals and older individuals of a 
protected class; and
``(6) focus on providing sexual health services to older 
individuals residing in rural areas, including services for 
individuals with HIV.
``(e) Supplement Not Supplant.--As a condition of receiving funds 
under this section, an eligible entity shall use such funds received 
under this section only to supplement the level of state or local funds 
that would, in the absence of the receipt of funds under this section, 
be made available for related LGBTQI services.
``(f) Standards and Guidelines.--The Assistant Secretary shall 
establish standards and guidelines for activities supported by grants 
under this section. Such standards and guidelines shall permit an 
eligible entity receiving such grant to refine or adapt the standards 
and guidelines for an individual project if the refinement or 
adaptation is made necessary by a local circumstance.
``(g) Coordination With Local Entities.--
``(1) Cooperation.--An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this section shall, in carrying out activities 
supported by the grant, agree to cooperate and coordinate 
with--
``(A) the agencies of the relevant State and local 
governments responsible for providing services to 
LGBTQI older individuals, or older individuals of a 
protected class, in the area served by such activities; 
and
``(B) other public and private organizations and 
agencies providing services to LGBTQI older 
individuals, or older individuals of a protected class, 
in such area.
``(2) 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 need.
``(h) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the effective date of 
this section, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall 
submit to the Congress and make available to the public a report 
describing the activities carried out under this section during the 
then preceding 2-year period.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is to be authorized 
for rural outreach grant activities under section 423, $5,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028.''.
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