CHIERS Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 8916

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T18:53:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

H.R. 8916: Connections to Health Infrastructure and Emergency Recovery Services Act of 2026 (CHIERS Act of 2026)

Purpose

This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use) and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (through the Director of the Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs) to jointly award grants. The grants aim to improve access to, develop, or expand transportation services that connect individuals with substance use disorder to treatment or supportive services at no cost to the individual.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: Beginning no later than one year after enactment, the Secretaries jointly award grants to eligible entities for transportation services, including first- and last-mile connections to public transit.
• Allowable Uses of Funds:
• Providing prescheduled or on-demand transportation.
• Acquiring motor vehicles.
• Assisting personnel with required licenses.
• Training and professional development for transportation personnel.
• Raising awareness, including street outreach.
• Contracting with ridesharing or taxi services.
• Other activities deemed appropriate by the Secretaries.
• Restrictions: Funds may not support transportation to involuntary inpatient treatment or be used by law enforcement personnel.
• Application Requirements: Entities must describe planned activities, identify partners, and specify performance measures focused on reducing missed or canceled appointments.
• Grant Duration: Minimum of one year.
• Funding Rule: Grants supplement, rather than replace, existing state or local funds.
• Reporting: Grantees submit reports within one year of receiving funds, with information determined necessary by the Secretaries.
• Technical Assistance: The Secretaries provide joint technical assistance, publish best practices, and conduct outreach; up to 2% of funds may support these activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill creates a new federal grant program administered jointly by HHS and HUD. It does not amend existing statutes but establishes fresh authority and funding mechanisms for transportation linked to substance use disorder treatment and supportive services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act framework.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Requires coordination between HHS and HUD; increases administrative workload for grant management, technical assistance, and oversight.
• Citizens: Improves transportation access for individuals with substance use disorder who face barriers due to homelessness, low income, or location, potentially increasing treatment participation.
• State and Local Entities: Provides new resources for nonprofits, local governments, and service providers while requiring performance tracking and reporting.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations experienced in substance use disorder or homelessness services, state/county/local governments, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, continuums of care, Federally qualified health centers, comprehensive opioid recovery centers, and street outreach programs.
• Individuals with substance use disorder who are experiencing homelessness, reside in low-income communities, or face transportation barriers to care.
• The Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The legislation establishes a standard federal grant program with cross-agency collaboration and explicit exclusions for involuntary treatment and law enforcement use. It references existing definitions from the Public Health Service Act, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and Internal Revenue Code but introduces no apparent constitutional conflicts or major alterations to federal authority.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-05-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
• 2026-05-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Connections to Health Infrastructure and Emergency Recovery Services Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (9 pages)