NUTRITION OFFICER.

SEC. 206. NUTRITION OFFICER. Section 205(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3016(a)) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively; (2) by inserting “(1)” after “(a)”; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(2) (A) The Commissioner shall designate an officer or employee who shall serve on a full-time basis and who shall be responsible for the administration of the nutrition services described in subparts 1, 2, and 3 of part C of title III and shall have duties that include— “(i) designing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition programs; “(ii) developing guidelines for nutrition providers concerning safety, sanitary handling of food, equipment, preparation, and food storage; “(iii) disseminating information to nutrition service providers about nutrition advancements and developments; “(iv) promoting coordination between nutrition service providers and community-based organizations serving older individuals; “(v) developing guidelines on cost containment; “(vi) defining a long range role for the nutrition services in community-based care systems; “(vii) developing model menus and other appropriate materials for serving special needs populations and meeting cultural meal preferences; and “(viii) providing technical assistance to the regional offices of the Administration with respect to each duty described in clauses (i) through (vii). “(B) The regional offices of the Administration shall be responsible for disseminating, and providing technical assistance regarding, the guidelines and information described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (v) of subparagraph (A) to State agencies, area agencies on aging, and persons that provide nutrition services under part C of title III. “(C) The officer or employee designated under subparagraph (A) shall— 106 STAT. 1213 “(i) have expertise in nutrition and dietary services and planning; and “(ii) (I) be a registered dietitian; “(II) be a credentialed nutrition professional; or “(III) have education and training that is substantially equivalent to the education and training for a registered dietitian or a credentialed nutrition professional.”.