Addressing mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairments of older individuals

Section 201(f) (42 U.S.C. 3011(f)) is amended to read as follows: (f) (1) The Assistant Secretary may designate an officer or employee who shall be responsible for the administration of services for mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairments authorized under this Act and serve as an effective and visible advocate for the related needs of older individuals within the Department of Health and Human Services, including by ensuring that relevant information disseminated and research conducted or supported by the Department takes into consideration such services. (2) It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary, acting through the individual designated under paragraph (1), and in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to develop objectives, priorities, and a long-term plan for supporting State and local efforts under this Act involving education about, and prevention, detection, and treatment of, mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairments, including age-related dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease and related neurological disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction. (3) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, the Assistant Secretary shall report to 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 Workforce of the House of Representatives on the activities of the officer or employee designated under paragraph (1) in carrying out the requirements under this subsection, including any activities to identify and reduce duplication and gaps across the Department in such information disseminated and research conducted or supported by the Department..

Section 201(f) (42 U.S.C. 3011(f)) is amended to read as follows: (f) (1) The Assistant Secretary may designate an officer or employee who shall be responsible for the administration of services for mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairments authorized under this Act and serve as an effective and visible advocate for the related needs of older individuals within the Department of Health and Human Services, including by ensuring that relevant information disseminated and research conducted or supported by the Department takes into consideration such services. (2) It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary, acting through the individual designated under paragraph (1), and in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to develop objectives, priorities, and a long-term plan for supporting State and local efforts under this Act involving education about, and prevention, detection, and treatment of, mental health and substance use disorders and cognitive impairments, including age-related dementia, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease and related neurological disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction. (3) Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, the Assistant Secretary shall report to 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 Workforce of the House of Representatives on the activities of the officer or employee designated under paragraph (1) in carrying out the requirements under this subsection, including any activities to identify and reduce duplication and gaps across the Department in such information disseminated and research conducted or supported by the Department..