Sponsors (4)
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Adds dedicated, authorized funding to the Older Americans Act for research and evaluation on family caregivers, defines who counts as a “family caregiver” and an “older relative caregiver,” and updates wording and eligibility rules in the National Family Caregiver Support Program. It authorizes $30,000,000 per year for research and evaluation activities related to family caregivers for fiscal years 2026–2030 and makes technical and conforming changes to existing program language.
Amend Section 216(b) of the Older Americans Act (42 U.S.C. 3020f(b)) by modifying paragraphs (3) and (4) and adding a new paragraph (5) to authorize funding for research and evaluation activities related to family caregivers.
Add paragraph (5) to Section 216(b) to provide funding to carry out research and evaluation activities under section 201(g) that bolster data, research, and evidence-based practices with respect to family caregivers (as defined in section 302).
Replace and restate paragraph (3) of Section 302 to define the term “family caregiver.” The term means (A) an adult family member, or another individual, who is an informal provider of in‑home and community care to an older individual or to an individual of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder with neurological and organic brain dysfunction; or (ii) an older relative caregiver; and (B) excludes individuals whose primary relationship with the care recipient is based on a financial or professional agreement.
Redesignate existing paragraph (4) as paragraph (5) and insert a new paragraph (4) in Section 302 defining “older relative caregiver.”
Define “older relative caregiver” in new Section 302(4) as a caregiver who (A)(i) is age 55 or older; and (ii) lives with, is the informal provider of in‑home and community care to, and is the primary caregiver for, a child or an individual with a disability; (B) for a caregiver of a child, is the grandparent, stepgrandparent, or other relative (other than the parent) by blood, marriage, or adoption of the child; is the primary caregiver because the biological or adoptive parents are unable or unwilling to serve as primary caregivers; and has a legal relationship to the child such as custody, adoption, or guardianship, or is raising the child informally; and (C) for a caregiver of an individual with a disability, is the parent, grandparent, or other relative by blood, marriage, or adoption of that individual with a disability.
Who is affected and how:
Family caregivers: Directly targeted. The bill funds research that should increase understanding of caregivers' needs, which could lead to improved policies, services, and supports tailored to caregivers and their circumstances.
Older adults (seniors): Indirectly benefit when research leads to better caregiver supports and more effective caregiver programs, potentially improving care continuity and outcomes for older adults.
Service providers and Area Agencies on Aging: May see changes in eligibility rules and program guidance under the National Family Caregiver Support Program; results from funded research may influence future program design, best practices, and funding priorities.
Research institutions and qualified researchers: Can compete for federal grants and contracts to perform caregiver-focused research and evaluation funded under the authorized amounts.
Federal administrators (entities that run Older Americans Act programs): Will implement the research program, issue grant solicitations, and update program materials and guidance to reflect the definitional and eligibility changes; they bear administrative responsibilities but no new unfunded mandates are imposed on state/local governments.
Budgetary and implementation notes:
Overall effect:
Amends subsection (b) of 42 U.S.C. 3020f to add a new additional authorization of appropriations for research and evaluation activities related to family caregivers, and adjusts punctuation in existing paragraphs.
Revises the statutory definition of 'family caregiver', adds a new statutory definition of 'older relative caregiver', and redesignates an existing paragraph.
Removes an existing definition and makes a minor textual change to the definitions in this part.
Modifies program language to standardize references to 'family caregivers', adjusts who is served by State programs, and removes separate references to 'older relative caregivers' in several subsections.
Updates a statutory cross-reference specifying where a term is defined.
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced November 20, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress November 20, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate