To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the school-based health centers grant program.

Bill Number

H.R. 8209

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-07-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 631.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T19:26:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose The legislation reauthorizes the school-based health centers grant program by amending the Public Health Service Act to provide continued federal funding for health services delivered in schools.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 399Z-1(m) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280h-5(m)).
• Replaces the prior authorization language with a fixed annual amount of $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Shifts from an open-ended authorization of "such sums as may be necessary" covering fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to a specific dollar amount for the subsequent five-year period.
• Extends the program for an additional five years with a defined funding ceiling.

Potential Impacts

• Enables the Department of Health and Human Services to continue awarding grants for school-based health centers, supporting medical, dental, and mental health services for students.
• Affects federal spending levels for public health initiatives without altering program eligibility rules or operations.
• Influences access to care for children and families in communities served by these centers; no direct effects on international relations are addressed.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• School-based health centers and their sponsoring organizations.
• Students, parents, and school districts receiving services.
• The Department of Health and Human Services and state/local health agencies involved in grant administration.
• Members of Congress responsible for appropriations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Represents a routine reauthorization of an existing grant program with no new regulatory requirements or structural changes to federal authority.
• The measure shows bipartisan sponsorship but introduces no apparent constitutional questions or major shifts in intergovernmental relations.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-07-02: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 631.
• 2026-07-02: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-726.
• 2026-07-02: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-726.
• 2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
• 2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-05-13: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-05-13: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-04-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• 2026-04-06: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-04-06: Introduced in House
• 2026-04-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the school-based health centers grant program. — issued 2026-04-06 — PDF (1 pages)
• To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the school-based health centers grant program. — issued 2026-07-02 — PDF (4 pages)