Richard Neal (D-MA)
Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2026 aims to reauthorize funding for programs designed to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill provides grant funding for nursing home worker training to assist with wages, tuition, child care, and transportation. It also allocates resources to support Adult Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, and initiatives to address social isolation among older adults and people with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation funds the development of medical-legal partnerships to link health and legal services. This bill includes various appropriations for these purposes through fiscal year 2030.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill provides significant funding to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill funds programs specifically designed to address social isolation and provide legal-medical linkages for people with disabilities.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill funds medical-legal partnerships and community outreach to help older adults and people with disabilities access services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Nursing Home Worker Support: States can use grants to provide wage subsidies, tuition assistance, and licensing exam fees to help individuals work in fields like nursing or social work (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1).
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Workforce Accessibility: The bill allows for funds to be used for child care assistance and transportation help, such as gas money or transit vouchers, to assist eligible workers (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph B).
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Employment Barrier Reduction: Grants may be used to provide assistance with programs and activities to address arrest or conviction records that act as a barrier to employment (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph B, clause 2, subparagraph C).
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Support for Social Connection: Funding is directed toward outreach and community-based interventions intended to mitigate social isolation and loneliness among older adults and those with disabilities (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1).
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Legal and Health Integration: The bill supports the development of medical-legal partnerships and legal hotlines to help older adults and adults with disabilities access necessary legal services (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Limitations for States: State allotments for nursing home worker training grants are subject to specific limits, such as a requirement that future allotments not be less than 90 percent of the preceding year's amount (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, clause (ii), subparagraph (iv), item (aa)).
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Obligation Deadlines: States, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations must return any grant money to the Secretary if it is not used within two years after the end of the fiscal year (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, clause (4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides significant funding to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill funds programs specifically designed to address social isolation and provide legal-medical linkages for people with disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides wage subsidies, tuition assistance, and childcare support for healthcare workers.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill funds medical-legal partnerships and community outreach to help older adults and people with disabilities access services.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides wage subsidies and training to support the recruitment and retention of nursing home workers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill offers wage subsidies and assistance with employment barriers like arrest records to help low-income workers.
- 9/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Vicente GonzalezDemocrat · Texas
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia