S 473

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 6 (legislative day, February 5), 2025

Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Warnock) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL

To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include screening for loneliness and coordination of supportive services and health care to address the negative health effects of loneliness, to require a report on loneliness, 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 “Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief Act” or the “SENIOR Act”.

SEC. 2. SCREENING OLDER INDIVIDUALS FOR LONELINESS AND COORDINATION OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE TO ADDRESS LONELINESS.

Section 102(14)(N) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002(14)(N)) is amended by inserting “and loneliness” after “social isolation” each place it appears.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON LONELINESS.

(a) Preparation of Report.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall, in carrying out activities under section 206(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3017(a)), prepare a report—

(A) on programs authorized by such Act (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), and supported or funded by the Administration on Aging, that include a focus on addressing the negative health effects associated with loneliness through targeting older individuals identified as being in greatest social need, as appropriate; and

(B) that examines the relationship between the strength of multigenerational family units and loneliness in older individuals.

(2) Impact.—Such report shall identify—

(A) whether loneliness is being adequately addressed under the programs described in paragraph

(1)(A), including, to the extent practicable—

(i) the prevalence of loneliness across geographic areas;

(ii) the negative physical and mental health effects associated with loneliness; and

(iii) the role of preventive measures and services under this Act in addressing the negative health effects associated with loneliness among older individuals; and

(B) public awareness of and efforts to address the negative health effects associated with loneliness.

(3) Types of programs.—Such report shall identify whether programs described in paragraph (1)(A)—

(A) support projects in local communities and involve diverse sectors associated with such communities to decrease the negative health effects associated with loneliness among older individuals and caregivers;

(B) support outreach activities to screen older individuals for negative health effects associated with loneliness; and

(C) include a focus on decreasing the negative health effects associated with loneliness.

(4) Recommendations.—Such report shall, as appropriate, include—

(A) recommendations for reducing the negative health effects associated with loneliness and to address any negative health effects identified under clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), and subparagraph (B), of paragraph (2); and

(B) recommendations for policies or programs that foster strong and stable connections across different generations in a family.

(b) Submission of Report.—

(1) Interim status report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit an interim report, to the committees of the Senate and of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate, on the status of the evaluation underway to develop the final report required under this section.

(2) Final report.—Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a final report that meets the requirements of this section to the committees of the Senate and of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate.

(c) Definitions.—For purposes of this section, the terms “greatest social need”, “older individual”, and “Secretary” have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002). <all>