US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 3011

Establishment of Administration on Aging

(a)

Function and operation

There is established in the Office of the Secretary an Administration on Aging which shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary for Aging. Except for subchapter IX, the Administration shall be the agency for carrying out this chapter. There shall be a direct reporting relationship between the Assistant Secretary and the Secretary. In the performance of the functions of the Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secretary shall be directly responsible to the Secretary. The Secretary shall not approve or require any delegation of the functions of the Assistant Secretary (including the functions of the Assistant Secretary carried out through regional offices) to any other officer not directly responsible to the Assistant Secretary.

(b)

Appointment of Assistant Secretary

The Assistant Secretary shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(c)

Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs; Director

(1)
There is established in the Administration an Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Programs.
(2)
The Office shall be headed by a Director of the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Aging appointed by the Assistant Secretary.
(3)
The Director of the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Aging shall—
(A)
(i)
evaluate the adequacy of outreach under subchapter III and subchapter X for older individuals who are Native Americans and recommend to the Assistant Secretary necessary action to improve service delivery, outreach, coordination between subchapter III and subchapter X services, and particular problems faced by older Indians and Native Hawaiians; and
(ii)
section 3018(a) of this title include a description of the results of such evaluation and recommendations in the annual report required by to be submitted by the Assistant Secretary;
(B)
serve as the effective and visible advocate in behalf of older individuals who are Native Americans within the Department of Health and Human Services and with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government regarding all Federal policies affecting such individuals, with particular attention to services provided to Native Americans by the Indian Health Service;
(C)
coordinate activities between other Federal departments and agencies to assure a continuum of improved services through memoranda of agreements or through other appropriate means of coordination;
(D)
administer and evaluate the grants provided under this chapter to Indian tribes, public agencies and nonprofit private organizations serving Native Hawaiians;
(E)
recommend to the Assistant Secretary policies and priorities with respect to the development and operation of programs and activities conducted under this chapter relating to older individuals who are Native Americans;
(F)
collect and disseminate information related to problems experienced by older Native Americans, including information (compiled with assistance from public or nonprofit private entities, including institutions of higher education, with experience in assessing the characteristics and health status of older individuals who are Native Americans) on elder abuse, in-home care, health problems, and other problems unique to Native Americans;
(G)
develop research plans, and conduct and arrange for research, in the field of American Native aging with a special emphasis on the gathering of statistics on the status of older individuals who are Native Americans;
(H)
develop and provide technical assistance and training programs to grantees under subchapter X;
(I)
promote coordination—
(i)
between the administration of subchapter III and the administration of subchapter X; and
(ii)
between programs established under subchapter III by the Assistant Secretary and programs established under subchapter X by the Assistant Secretary;
including sharing among grantees information on programs funded, and on training and technical assistance provided, under such subchapters; and
(J)
serve as the effective and visible advocate on behalf of older individuals who are Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians, in the States to promote the enhanced delivery of services and implementation of programs, under this chapter and other Federal Acts, for the benefit of such individuals.
(d)

Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs

(1)
There is established in the Administration the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (in this subsection referred to as the “Office”).
(2)
(A)
The Office shall be headed by a Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (in this subsection referred to as the “Director”) who shall be appointed by the Assistant Secretary from among individuals who have expertise and background in the fields of long-term care advocacy and management. The Director shall report directly to the Assistant Secretary.
(B)
No individual shall be appointed Director if—
(i)
the individual has been employed within the previous 2 years by—
(I)
a long-term care facility;
(II)
a corporation that then owned or operated a long-term care facility; or
(III)
an association of long-term care facilities;
(ii)
the individual—
(I)
has an ownership or investment interest (represented by equity, debt, or other financial relationship) in a long-term care facility or long-term care service; or
(II)
receives, or has the right to receive, directly or indirectly remuneration (in cash or in kind) under a compensation arrangement with an owner or operator of a long-term care facility; or
(iii)
the individual, or any member of the immediate family of the individual, is subject to a conflict of interest.
(3)
The Director shall—
(A)
serve as an effective and visible advocate on behalf of older individuals who reside in long-term care facilities, within the Department of Health and Human Services and with other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government regarding all Federal policies affecting such individuals;
(B)
review and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary regarding—
(i)
section 3027(a) of this title the approval of the provisions in State plans submitted under that relate to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs; and
(ii)
the adequacy of State budgets and policies relating to the programs;
(C)
after consultation with State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen and the State agencies, make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary regarding—
(i)
policies designed to assist State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen; and
(ii)
section 3027(a)(9) of this titlesection 3058g of this title methods to periodically monitor and evaluate the operation of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, to ensure that the programs satisfy the requirements of and , including provision of service to residents of board and care facilities and of similar adult care facilities;
(D)
keep the Assistant Secretary and the Secretary fully and currently informed about—
(i)
problems relating to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs; and
(ii)
the necessity for, and the progress toward, solving the problems;
(E)
review, and make recommendations to the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary regarding, existing and proposed Federal legislation, regulations, and policies regarding the operation of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs;
(F)
make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary and the Secretary regarding the policies of the Administration, and coordinate the activities of the Administration with the activities of other Federal entities, State and local entities, and nongovernmental entities, relating to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs;
(G)
supervise the activities carried out under the authority of the Administration that relate to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs;
(H)
section 3012(a)(18) of this title administer the National Ombudsman Resource Center established under and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary regarding the operation of the National Ombudsman Resource Center;
(I)
advocate, monitor, and coordinate Federal and State activities of Long-Term Care Ombudsmen under this chapter;
(J)
section 3027(a)(9) of this titlesection 3058g of this title submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate an annual report on the effectiveness of services provided under and ;
(K)
have authority to investigate the operation or violation of any Federal law administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of older individuals;
(L)
section 3058g(h)(5) of this title not later than 180 days after , establish standards applicable to the training required by ; and
(M)
collect and analyze best practices related to responding to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in long-term care facilities, and publish a report of such best practices.
(e)

Elder abuse prevention and services

(1)
The Assistant Secretary is authorized to designate within the Administration a person to have responsibility for elder abuse prevention and services.
(2)
It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary, acting through the person designated to have responsibility for elder abuse prevention and services, and in coordination with the heads of State adult protective services programs and the Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs—
(A)
to develop objectives, priorities, policy, and a long-term plan for—
(i)
facilitating the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a coordinated, multidisciplinary elder justice system in the United States;
(ii)
providing Federal leadership to support State efforts in carrying out elder justice programs and activities relating to—
(I)
elder abuse prevention, detection, treatment, intervention, and response;
(II)
training of individuals regarding the matters described in subclause (I); and
(III)
section 3058aa–1(b) of this title the development of a State comprehensive elder justice system, as defined in ;
(iii)
establishing Federal guidelines and disseminating best practices for uniform data collection and reporting by States;
(iv)
working with States, the Department of Justice, and other Federal entities to annually collect, maintain, and disseminate data relating to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, to the extent practicable;
(v)
establishing an information clearinghouse to collect, maintain, and disseminate information concerning best practices and resources for training, technical assistance, and other activities to assist States and communities to carry out evidence-based programs to prevent and address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
(vi)
conducting research related to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
(vii)
providing technical assistance to States and other eligible entities that provide or fund the provision of the services described in subchapter XI;
(viii)
carrying out a study to determine the national incidence and prevalence of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in all settings; and
(ix)
promoting collaborative efforts and diminishing duplicative efforts in the development and carrying out of elder justice programs at the Federal, State and local levels; and
(B)
to assist States and other eligible entities under subchapter XI to develop strategic plans to better coordinate elder justice activities, research, and training.
(3)
section 3058aa–1 of this title The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, may issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection and .
(f)

Mental health services

(1)
The Assistant Secretary may designate an officer or employee who shall be responsible for the administration of mental and behavioral health services authorized under this chapter.
(2)
It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary, acting through the individual designated under paragraph (1), to develop objectives, priorities, and a long-term plan for supporting State and local efforts involving education about and prevention, detection, and treatment of mental disorders, including age-related dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease and related neurological disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction.
(g)

Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center for the Aging Network

(1)
The Assistant Secretary shall, as appropriate, coordinate the research and evaluation functions of this chapter under a Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center for the Aging Network (in this subsection referred to as the “Center”), which shall be headed by a director designated by the Assistant Secretary from individuals described in paragraph (4).
(2)
The purpose of the Center shall be—
(A)
to coordinate, as appropriate, research, research dissemination, evaluation, demonstration projects, and related activities carried out under this chapter;
(B)
to provide assessment of the programs and interventions authorized under this chapter; and
(C)
to increase the repository of information on evidence-based programs and interventions available to the aging network, which information shall be applicable to existing programs and interventions and help in the development of new evidence-based programs and interventions.
(3)
Activities of the Center shall include, as appropriate, conducting, promoting, coordinating, and providing support for—
(A)
research and evaluation activities that support the objectives of this chapter, including—
(i)
evaluation of new and existing programs and interventions authorized by this chapter; and
(ii)
research on and assessment of the relationship between programs and interventions under this chapter and the health outcomes, social determinants of health, quality of life, and independence of individuals served under this chapter;
(B)
demonstration projects that support the objectives of this chapter, including activities to bring effective demonstration projects to scale with a prioritization of projects that address the needs of underserved populations, and promote partnerships among aging services, community-based organizations, and Medicare and Medicaid providers, plans, and health (including public health) systems;
(C)
outreach and dissemination of research findings; and
(D)
technical assistance related to the activities described in this paragraph.
(4)
The director shall be an individual with substantial knowledge of and experience in aging and health policy, and research administration.
(5)
Not later than , and at 5-year intervals thereafter, the director shall prepare and publish in the Federal Register for public comment a draft of a 5-year plan that—
(A)
outlines priorities for research, research dissemination, evaluation, demonstration projects, and related activities;
(B)
explains the basis for such priorities; and
(C)
describes how the plan will meet the needs of underserved populations.
(6)
The director shall coordinate, as appropriate, research, research dissemination, evaluation, and demonstration projects, and related activities with appropriate agency program staff, and, as appropriate, with other Federal departments and agencies involved in research in the field of aging.
(7)
Not later than , and annually thereafter, the director shall prepare, and submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate, and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, a report on the activities funded under this section and subchapter IV.
(8)
The director shall, as appropriate, consult with experts on aging research and evaluation and aging network stakeholders on the implementation of the activities described under paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(9)
The director shall coordinate, as appropriate, all research and evaluation authorities under this chapter.

Pub. L. 89–73, title II, § 20179 Stat. 220 Pub. L. 93–29, title II, § 201(a)87 Stat. 30 Pub. L. 93–351, § 2(a)88 Stat. 357 Pub. L. 95–478, title V, § 503(b)(1)92 Stat. 1559 Pub. L. 98–459, title II, § 20198 Stat. 1767 Pub. L. 100–175, title I101 Stat. 928 Pub. L. 102–375, title I, § 102(b)(1)(A)106 Stat. 1200 Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)107 Stat. 1989 Pub. L. 106–501, title VIII, § 801(b)(1)114 Stat. 2291 Pub. L. 109–365, title II, § 201120 Stat. 2527 Pub. L. 114–144130 Stat. 335 Pub. L. 116–131, title I, § 127(a)134 Stat. 252 (, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 102, 107(a), 182(c), , , 931, 964; , (2), title II, § 201, title IX, § 904(a)(3), , , 1201, 1202, 1306; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 3(a), 9(2), , , 352; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–1312020—Subsec. (g). added subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 114–144, § 3(a)(1)(A)2016—Subsec. (d)(3)(H). , substituted “3012(a)(18)” for “3012(a)(21)”.

Pub. L. 114–144, § 3(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (d)(3)(L). , substituted “” for “” and “3058g(h)(5) of this title; and” for “3058g(h)(4) of this title.”

Pub. L. 114–144, § 3(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (d)(3)(M). , (D), added subpar. (M).

Pub. L. 114–144, § 3(a)(2)Subsec. (e)(2). , inserted “, and in coordination with the heads of State adult protective services programs and the Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs” after “and services”.

Pub. L. 114–144, § 9(2)Subsec. (f)(1). , inserted “and behavioral” after “mental”.

Pub. L. 109–3652006—Subsecs. (e), (f). added subsecs. (e) and (f).

Pub. L. 106–5012000—Subsec. (d)(3)(C)(ii), (J). substituted “3027(a)(9)” for “3027(a)(12)”.

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)(A)1993—Subsec. (a). , (D), substituted “an Assistant Secretary for Aging” for “a Commissioner on Aging” and substituted “the Assistant Secretary” for “the Commissioner” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)(D)Subsec. (b). , substituted “Assistant Secretary” for “Commissioner”.

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)(B)(i)Subsec. (c)(2). , (D), substituted “a Director of the Office for” for “an Associate Commissioner on” and “Assistant Secretary” for “Commissioner”.

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)(B)(ii)Subsec. (c)(3). , (D), substituted “Director of the Office for” for “Associate Commissioner on” in introductory provisions and “Assistant Secretary” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing in subpars. (A), (E), and (I)(ii).

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)(C)Subsec. (d)(2). , (D), substituted “a Director of the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs” for “an Associate Commissioner for Ombudsman Programs” in subpar. (A), “Director” for “Associate Commissioner” wherever appearing, and “Assistant Secretary” for “Commissioner” in two places in subpar. (A).

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(a)(2)(C)(ii)Subsec. (d)(3). , (D), substituted “Director” for “Associate Commissioner” in introductory provisions and “Assistant Secretary” for “Commissioner” in subpars. (B) to (F) and (H).

Pub. L. 102–3751992—Subsec. (a). , §§ 102(b)(2), 201(a), struck out “(hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the ‘Administration’)” after “Administration on Aging” and “(hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the ‘Commissioner’)” after “Commissioner on Aging” and inserted “(including the functions of the Commissioner carried out through regional offices)” after “functions of the Commissioner”.

Pub. L. 102–375, § 102(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “Administration” for “Administration on Aging”.

Pub. L. 102–375, § 904(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(i). , inserted “individuals who are” before “Native Americans”.

Pub. L. 102–375Subsec. (c)(3)(B). , §§ 201(b)(1), 904(a)(3)(A), (B), inserted “individuals who are” before “Native Americans within” and substituted “affecting such individuals, with particular attention to services provided to Native Americans by the Indian Health Service” for “affecting older Native Americans”.

Pub. L. 102–375, § 904(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (c)(3)(E). , (C), substituted “this chapter” for “the chapter” and inserted “individuals who are” after “older”.

Pub. L. 102–375, § 201(b)(2)Subsec. (c)(3)(F). , inserted before semicolon “, including information (compiled with assistance from public or nonprofit private entities, including institutions of higher education, with experience in assessing the characteristics and health status of older individuals who are Native Americans) on elder abuse, in-home care, health problems, and other problems unique to Native Americans”.

Pub. L. 102–375, § 904(a)(3)(A)Subsec. (c)(3)(G). , inserted “individuals who are” before “Native Americans”.

Pub. L. 102–375, § 201(b)(3)Subsec. (c)(3)(I), (J). –(5), added subpars. (I) and (J).

Pub. L. 102–375, § 201(c)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d).

Pub. L. 100–175, § 182(c)1987—Subsec. (a). , substituted “the functions of the Commissioner” for “his functions”.

Pub. L. 100–175, § 102, substituted “between the Commissioner and the Secretary” for “between the Commissioner and the Office of the Secretary” and “responsible to the Secretary” for “responsible to the Office of the Secretary”.

Pub. L. 100–175, § 107(a)Subsec. (c). , added subsec. (c).

Pub. L. 98–459, § 201(1)1984—Subsec. (a). , (3), (4), substituted “the agency” for “the principal agency”, inserted provision requiring establishment of a direct reporting relationship between Commissioner and Office of the Secretary, and substituted “approve or require” for “approve”.

Pub. L. 98–459, § 201(2), which directed that “the functions of the Administration” be substituted for “his functions” in second sentence could not be executed because “his functions” appeared only in third sentence.

Pub. L. 95–4781978—Subsec. (a). substituted “subchapter IX” for “subchapter VI and as otherwise specifically provided by the Older Americans Comprehensive Services Amendments of 1973”.

Pub. L. 93–3511974—Subsec. (a). struck out provisions which had authorized the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, under certain conditions, to approve a delegation of the functions of the Commissioner on Aging to officers not directly responsible to the Commissioner.

Pub. L. 93–291973—Subsec. (a). added subsec. (a). Former provision established the Administration on Aging in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Pub. L. 93–29Subsec. (b). struck out provision respecting the direction of the Administration by a Commissioner on Aging, now incorporated in subsec. (a) of this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, .

Pub. L. 103–171, § 3(c)107 Stat. 1991

“Any reference to the Commissioner on Aging in any order, rule, guideline, contract, grant, suit, or proceeding that is pending, enforceable, or in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [] shall be deemed to be a reference to the Assistant Secretary for Aging.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–175section 3026(a) of this titlesection 3027(a) of this titlePub. L. 100–175section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , except not applicable with respect to any area plan submitted under or any State plan submitted under and approved for any fiscal year beginning before , see section 701(a), (b) of , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–459section 803(a) of Pub. L. 98–459section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–478section 504 of Pub. L. 95–478section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective at close of , see , set out as a note under .

Modification of Delegation of Functions of Commissioner on Aging in Effect on

Pub. L. 93–351, § 2(b)88 Stat. 357

“Any delegation of the functions of the Commissioner on Aging [now Assistant Secretary for Aging] in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [], issued pursuant to section 201(a) of such Act [subsec. (a) of this section], shall be modified by the Commissioner to comply with the provisions of the amendment made by this section [amending this section].”
, , , provided that: