Summary#
This bill, the Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026, reauthorizes and changes several federal programs that aim to prevent, investigate, and respond to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It updates a nursing home worker training grant program, expands funding and formula rules for adult protective services grants, changes long-term care ombudsman grant funding, and creates new grant programs for medical-legal partnerships and for addressing social isolation among older adults and people with disabilities. The bill adds reporting and independent evaluation requirements and includes set‑asides and consultation for Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
What it means for you#
- Older adults and adults with disabilities: The bill funds programs meant to identify and address abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and supports legal help and social‑connection programs targeted to these populations.
- Family caregivers and community groups: Grants and partnerships in the bill aim to improve linkages between health, social, and legal services and to fund community programs that reduce social isolation.
- Long‑term care workers and employers: The bill funds wage subsidies, tuition assistance, child‑care and transportation support, licensing exam fees, and other supports for eligible workers in nursing facilities, home health, hospice, and similar settings. It also allows states to support paid leave and emergency financial reserves for workers.
- Indian tribes and tribal organizations: The bill creates tribal eligibility for several grant programs and reserves funding and consultation for tribal programs.
- Oversight and evaluation: The bill requires regular reports to Congress and strengthens independent evaluation capacity at the Administration for Community Living.
Expenses#
The bill specifies appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 for multiple programs:
- Nursing home worker training grants: $410,000,000 per year (with 2% reserved for Indian tribes and 2% for certain federal administrative costs).
- Adult protective services (multiple subsections amended): appropriations shown in the bill include $10,000,000 per year for one subsection, $500,000,000 per year for another subsection, and $80,000,000 per year for a third subsection (each for fiscal years 2027–2030 as amended).
- Long‑term care ombudsman grants and training: amendments specify $23,000,000 for FY2027 and $30,000,000 for FY2028 and FY2029 in one subsection, and $30,000,000 per year for FY2027–2030 in another subsection as amended.
- Medical‑legal partnerships and related linkages: $125,000,000 per year for FY2027–2030.
- Grants and training to address social isolation: $63,000,000 per year for FY2027–2030.
- Assessment reports and evaluation support (Section 3): $10,000,000 per year for FY2027–2030 to carry out reporting and evaluation activities.
When the bill refers to reservations or set‑asides (for example, tribal grants or administrative staffing), those come out of the specified annual appropriations.
Proponents' View#
The bill states it will reauthorize funding and update programs to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It also aims to support the long‑term care workforce (through wage subsidies, training, and supports), improve legal and service linkages (through medical‑legal partnerships and hotlines), address social isolation, include tribal organizations, and require regular reporting and independent evaluation.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.