Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2025
Summary
The Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the 119th Congress that aims to establish a national network of statewide senior legal hotlines. The key provisions and impacts of the bill include:
Purpose
- The main intent of the bill is to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the creation of statewide senior legal hotlines across the country.
- These hotlines would provide free legal services, advice, and assistance to older Americans on a wide range of civil legal issues.
Key Provisions
- Defines "eligible entities" that can apply for grants to establish or operate statewide senior legal hotlines, including nonprofit organizations and partnerships.
- Requires hotlines to:
- Provide a range of free legal services to older adults, including counseling, advice, advocacy, information, and referrals.
- Serve older adults with the greatest social and economic need as the target population.
- Develop partnerships to ensure access to more extensive legal representation when needed.
- Establishes a competitive grant program through the Assistant Secretary to fund the creation and operation of these statewide hotlines.
- Requires grant recipients to provide a 25% non-federal funding match and have processes to ensure no conflicts of interest.
Impact
- If enacted, this bill would create a nationwide network of senior legal hotlines, improving access to free civil legal assistance for older Americans, particularly those most in need.
- The hotlines could help older adults address a variety of legal issues, from consumer protection to housing, healthcare, and more.
- By coordinating with other legal service providers, the hotlines could help streamline and expand the overall delivery of legal aid to the senior population.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on December 11, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
- No further legislative action has been taken on the bill at this time.
