Welcome to the Ruthie and Connie LGBTQ+ Elder Americans Act of 2025

This bill aims to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in their golden years, addressing the unique challenges they face and providing them with the support and services they need.

Section 1. Short title

Short Title: Ruthie and Connie LGBTQ+ Elder Americans Act of 2025

This section sets the short title for the bill, which is “Ruthie and Connie LGBTQ+ Elder Americans Act of 2025”.

Section 2. Findings and purposes

Findings and Purposes

The section begins by stating the findings and purposes of the bill.

“The LGBTQ+ community faces unique challenges in their golden years, including but not limited to discrimination, lack of access to healthcare and social services, and inadequate support from family members and caregivers.”

Section 3. Grant programs for State and local governments

Grant Programs for State and Local Governments

This section outlines the grant programs for state and local governments, including the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging.

• Organizations that serve LGBTQ+ individuals may be eligible to receive grants.
• The Assistant Secretary shall establish and operate the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging.

Section 5. Activities for health, independence, and longevity

Activities for Health, Independence, and Longevity

This section outlines the activities that must be conducted by State plans to promote quality and continuous improvement in the support and services provided to individuals with greatest social need.

• Needs assessment, program development and evaluation, training, technical assistance, and research, concerning addressing physical and mental health, disabilities, and health disparities.
• Providing long-term care, including in-home and community-based care.
• Providing informal care, and formal care in a facility setting.
• Providing access to culturally responsive health and human services.
• Addressing other gaps in assistance and issues that the Assistant Secretary determines are of particular importance to older individuals with greatest social need.

Section 6. Data on discrimination

Data on Discrimination

This section outlines the data that must be collected and analyzed by State plans, including data on discrimination against LGBTQ+ older individuals.

“The collection of data on discrimination is crucial to understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ older individuals and to informing policy decisions.”