TANF Hygiene Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7367

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-05-13T08:06:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The TANF Hygiene Access Act (H.R. 7367) aims to create a temporary demonstration pilot program to experiment with new ways of using funds and measuring success (through outcomes-oriented benchmarks) to help low-income households obtain essential hygiene materials. This program builds on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) framework, which provides cash assistance and support services to low-income families, by focusing on improving access to basic hygiene items that are often not covered by existing aid.

Key Provisions

• Program Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Office of Family Assistance, will run a five-year pilot program testing innovative initiatives to expand access to hygiene materials for low-income households.
• Definition of Hygiene Materials: Includes items like soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, diapers, baby wipes, postpartum pads, antibacterial hand soap, laundry detergent, dish soap, and any other hygiene-related products as decided by the Secretary.
• Grant Applications and Selection:
• Eligible applicants: States, Indian tribes, or tribal organizations (as defined under TANF laws).
• Applications are submitted competitively and evaluated based on factors such as the initiative's design strength, ability to serve targeted populations, partnerships with organizations experienced in distributing hygiene items (e.g., basic needs banks), evaluation readiness, cost-effectiveness, past performance in TANF programs, and geographic diversity.
• All applications must be publicly posted on the HHS website.
• Grant Use and Administration:
• Grants can only fund direct provision of hygiene materials to low-income households; no more than 15% may cover administrative costs.
• Grants are disbursed at the start of each fiscal year, with administration focused on serving a large number of households.
• Evaluation Requirements: Grant recipients must report to HHS on performance metrics, including the geographic area covered, number of families served, quantity of materials distributed, and frequency of distributions.
• Funding: Provides $25 million for the first fiscal year, $30 million each for the second and third years, and $32.5 million each for the fourth and fifth years, drawn from general Treasury funds not otherwise allocated.
• Timeline: Takes effect one year after enactment; before the end of the fifth year, HHS must submit a report to Congress evaluating the program and recommending whether it could be scaled up nationwide.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new demonstration program under TANF (part of the Social Security Act), which previously focused on cash aid, job training, and family support but did not specifically target hygiene materials. It adds requirements for innovative funding uses, competitive grants with outcomes-based evaluations, public transparency of applications, and dedicated appropriations—elements not previously mandated for hygiene access initiatives. No existing laws are repealed or directly amended; this is an additive pilot to test feasibility.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Could improve health and dignity for low-income households by increasing access to essential hygiene products, potentially reducing risks like infections or school absences due to lack of items like diapers or menstrual products. Benefits an estimated significant number of families over five years, depending on grant distribution.
• On Government Agencies: HHS gains new administrative responsibilities for grant oversight, evaluation, and reporting, with modest funding increases tied to TANF operations. States and tribes may see opportunities for supplemental funding but must compete and report outcomes.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the program is domestic and focused on U.S. low-income populations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Low-Income Households: Primary beneficiaries, gaining better access to hygiene essentials.
• States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal Organizations: Eligible for grants to design and implement initiatives, potentially enhancing their TANF programs.
• HHS and Office of Family Assistance: Responsible for program administration, grant awards, evaluations, and congressional reporting.
• Partner Organizations: Basic needs banks or similar nonprofits with experience in collecting and distributing hygiene items, encouraged to collaborate.
• Congress: Receives evaluation reports to inform future policy decisions on scaling the program.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with TANF's flexible funding allowances (under Social Security Act section 419) for state experiments in family assistance, promoting evidence-based policy through required evaluations. The public posting of applications enhances transparency but raises minor privacy considerations for applicants (though not for beneficiaries).
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; supports the general welfare clause by addressing basic needs without infringing on states' rights, as participation is voluntary and competitive.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Rep. Lawler and Rep. McBride) suggests potential for broad support in addressing unmet needs in welfare programs. The pilot's focus on outcomes and feasibility reporting could influence future appropriations or expansions, emphasizing cost-effective aid amid debates on federal spending for social services.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• TANF Hygiene Access Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (6 pages)