Recognizing the threat of extreme weather to children's health and well-being, and expressing the sense of Congress that solutions must be rapidly and equitably developed and deployed to address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of children.

Bill Number

H.Res. 585

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-04-06T19:29:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution (H. Res. 585) recognizes the growing dangers of extreme weather events—like intense heat, wildfires, storms, and poor air quality—to the health and well-being of children, babies, adolescents, and pregnant people. It expresses Congress's view that solutions to these threats must be developed and put into action quickly and fairly, with a focus on the specific needs and risks faced by young people.

Key Provisions

The resolution is structured around a series of factual "whereas" statements highlighting the problem, followed by three main expressions of Congress's sense:

• Rapid and equitable adaptations: Protections against extreme weather must be created and implemented swiftly, considering the physical and mental health of current and future generations of children.
• Tailored legislation and funding: Any laws or funding for weather protections should address the unique vulnerabilities of babies, children, adolescents, and their families.
• Suggested adaptive measures: These could include (but are not limited to):
• Public alerts for events like wildfires, heat waves, or poor air quality.
• Community support networks, caregiver aid, and resilience programs.
• Information campaigns in multiple languages about air quality, heat, and disaster prep.
• Training for doctors, teachers, and child care workers on children's risks from extreme weather.
• Involving parents and caregivers in disaster planning.
• Education on heat-related illnesses and first aid.
• Better guidelines for schools and child care on handling heat, weather, and pollution.
• Upgraded air filters in homes, schools, and child care to combat smoke, exhaust, and pollen.
• Stronger school, child care, and health facilities to endure weather disruptions.
• More shaded parks, especially in hot urban areas.
• Safe indoor spaces for kids during bad weather, like cooling centers or clean-air rooms.
• Supplies like diapers, formula, and nursing areas in shelters and evacuation sites.
• Emergency kits with baby feeding items.
• Shade at playgrounds and bus stops.
• Child-sized masks for smoky or polluted days.
• More water stations for hydration.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it does not create new laws, amend existing ones, or require any actions. It serves as a statement of congressional opinion to guide future policy discussions rather than making direct legal changes.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: Could encourage agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, which handles air and pollution), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, focused on health and child welfare), and Department of Education to prioritize child-specific weather protections in their programs, budgeting, and guidelines. It may influence federal funding for disaster response and climate adaptation.
• On citizens: Raises awareness of risks to children, potentially leading to better community preparedness, school policies, and access to resources like cooling centers or air filters. Families in vulnerable areas (e.g., rural farm communities or urban heat zones) might benefit from more equitable support, though impacts depend on future laws.
• On international relations: Minimal direct effect, but it aligns with global efforts on climate change and child health, possibly supporting U.S. positions in international forums like the United Nations on environmental equity.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Children, babies, adolescents, and pregnant people: Primary focus, as they face heightened risks from heat, pollution, displacement, and mental health strains.
• Families and caregivers: Including parents, farmworkers, and child care providers who need support during disasters.
• Educators and schools: Affected by closures, learning disruptions, and the need for updated facilities and training.
• Health professionals: Doctors, nurses, and public health workers who require guidance on treating weather-related issues in youth.
• Communities and vulnerable groups: Low-income, rural, urban, and minority populations hit hardest by weather events and lacking resources.
• Government and nonprofits: Federal, state, and local agencies, plus organizations involved in disaster aid, environmental protection, and child welfare.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: As a "sense of Congress" resolution, it has no enforceable power but can shape interpretations of existing laws (e.g., on environmental justice or child protection) and inspire binding legislation. It underscores equity in climate responses without mandating specifics.
• Constitutional: Fully aligns with Congress's role under Article I to express views on public policy, including health and environment, without infringing on executive or judicial branches.
• Political: Bipartisan cosponsorship (from Democrats and some Republicans) signals broad agreement on child health amid climate debates, potentially building momentum for future bills on adaptation funding. It emphasizes long-term societal benefits, framing extreme weather as a public health crisis rather than just an environmental one, which could influence election-year priorities.

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

Sponsor

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Cosponsors (33)

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-07-16: Submitted in House
• 2025-07-16: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Recognizing the threat of extreme weather to children’s health and well-being, and expressing the sense of Congress that solutions must be rapidly and equitably developed and deployed to address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of children. — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (6 pages)