CARES Hotline Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8620
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-19T20:57:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Caregiver Access to Resources and Emotional Support Hotline Act (CARES Hotline Act), H.R. 8620, aims to create a national hotline to support caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities (conditions like autism or intellectual disabilities that appear early in life and affect daily functioning). It amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to provide emotional support, information, resources, and referrals.
Key Provisions
- Hotline Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must maintain (directly or via grant/contract) a toll-free, 24/7 hotline offering voice/text support, emotional aid, brief crisis intervention, mental health resources, and referrals to local/state/federal services (e.g., crisis support, in-home care).
- Staffing and Training: Staffed by trained professionals in caregiver support, crisis response, and culturally/linguistically appropriate services; includes peer-to-peer support workers; eligible contractors must develop ongoing training programs.
- Additional Features:
- Consultation with the RAISE Family Caregivers Act Advisory Council (a federal group advising on family caregiver issues) for real-time connections to specialized services.
- Creation and maintenance of a national database of caregiver resources.
- Priority for grants/contracts to nonprofits partnering with community-based organizations.
- Public awareness via a website and educational materials.
- Reporting: Annual reports to Congress starting one year after enactment, evaluating effectiveness and listing referral entities.
- Funding: Authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027–2032.
- Eligible Entities: Nonprofits with national reach across states/territories and experience in state service systems.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Title V—Caregiver Support and Section 501 to the 2000 Act.
- Updates the Act's table of contents to reflect the addition.
- Introduces the first dedicated national hotline specifically for developmental disability caregivers, expanding beyond existing general support frameworks.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS gains responsibility for hotline operations, database maintenance, outreach, and congressional reporting; requires grant/contract management with funding authorization.
- Citizens: Improves access to real-time emotional/mental health support and resources for caregivers (family/household members), potentially reducing burnout and improving care quality for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- International Relations: None.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Caregivers: Primary beneficiaries, including family and household members providing daily support.
- Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: Indirectly benefit through better-supported caregivers.
- HHS and Federal Agencies: Responsible for implementation and funding.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Eligible to operate the hotline, especially those with national scope.
- Congress: Receives ongoing evaluations and resource directories.
- State/Local Service Providers: Enhanced referrals to their programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes clear funding and operational mandates via appropriations authorization; requires conforming amendments to existing law for seamless integration.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with federal spending power for public health and welfare.
- Political: Promotes targeted support for vulnerable populations; introduced by bipartisan cosponsors, emphasizing caregiver relief without altering broader disability rights frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
Cosponsors (6)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Caregiver Access to Resources and Emotional Support Hotline Act — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (5 pages)