SENIOR TRANSPORTATION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM GRANTS.

SEC. 413. SENIOR TRANSPORTATION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM GRANTS. Part B of title IV of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3034–3035g) (as amended by the preceding sections) is amended by adding at the end the following: “SEC. 429D. SENIOR TRANSPORTATION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM GRANTS. “(a) Establishment.— The Commissioner shall establish and carry out senior transportation demonstration programs. In carrying out the programs, the Commissioner shall award grants to not fewer than five eligible entities for the purpose of improving the mobility of older individuals and transportation services for older individuals (referred to in this section as ‘senior transportation services’). “(b) Use of Funds.— Grants made under subsection (a) may be used to— “(1) develop innovative approaches for improving access by older individuals to supportive services under part B of title III, nutrition services under part C of title III, health care, and other important services; “(2) develop comprehensive and integrated senior transportation services; and “(3) leverage additional resources for senior transportation services by— “(A) coordinating various transportation services; and “(B) coordinating various funding sources for transportation services, including— 106 STAT. 1255 “(i) sources of assistance under— “(I) sections 9, 16(b)(2), and 18 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (49 U.S.C. App.); and “(II) titles XIX and XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397 et seq.); and “(ii) State and local sources. “(c) Award of Grants.— “(1) Preference.— In awarding grants under subsection (a), the Commissioner shall give preference to entities that— “(A) demonstrate special needs for enhancing senior transportation services and resources for the services within the geographic area served by the entities; “(B) establish plans to ensure that senior transportation services are coordinated with general public transportation services and other specialized transportation services; “(C) demonstrate the ability to utilize the broadest range of available transportation and community resources to provide senior transportation services; “(D) demonstrate the capacity and willingness to coordinate senior transportation services with services provided under title III and with general public transportation services and other specialized transportation services; and “(E) establish plans for senior transportation demonstration programs designed to serve the special needs of low-income, rural, frail, and other at-risk, transit dependent older individuals. “(2) Rural entities.— The Commissioner shall award not less than 50 percent of the grants authorized under this section to entities located in, or primarily serving, rural areas. “(d) Application.— An entity that seeks a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Commissioner at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Commissioner may require, including at a minimum— “(1) information describing senior transportation services for which the entity seeks assistance; “(2) a comprehensive strategy for developing a coordinated transportation system or leveraging additional funding resources, to provide senior transportation services; “(3) information describing the extent to which the applicant intends to coordinate the services of the applicant with the services of other transportation providers; “(4) a plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed senior transportation demonstration program and preparing a report containing the evaluation to be submitted to the Commissioner; and “(5) such other information as may be required by the Commissioner. “(e) Eligible Entities.— Entities eligible to receive grants under this section shall be— “(1) State agencies; “(2) area agencies on aging; and “(3) other public agencies and nonprofit organizations. “(f) Report.— 106 STAT. 1256 “(1) Preparation.— The Commissioner shall prepare, either directly or through grants or contracts, annual reports on the senior transportation demonstration programs established under this section. The reports shall contain an assessment of the effectiveness of each demonstration project and recommendations regarding legislative, administrative, and other initiatives needed to improve the access to and effectiveness of transportation services for older individuals. “(2) Submission.— The Commissioner shall submit the report described in paragraph (1) to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate.”.