This bill will amend the elder law, in relation to clarifying the meaning of the phrase “greatest social need” for purposes of the administration of programs under the federal Older Americans Act of 1965

In 2012, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, issued new guidance on the definition of the term “greatest social need,” giving states the discretion to include “individuals isolated due to sexual orientation and gender identity” and other at-risk populations. By legislatively making this designation, LGBTQI elders and older people living with HIV will no longer have to avoid services or care for fear of not being treated and cared for as their true selves.