Legis Daily

CARES Hotline Act

USA119th CongressHR-8620| House 
| Updated: 4/30/2026
Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (6)
Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 by establishing a national, toll-free, 24/7 hotline for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. The hotline's primary purpose is to offer emotional support, information, brief intervention, and mental health resources , alongside comprehensive referral services to local, State, and Federal programs. The service will be staffed by trained personnel , including peer-to-peer staff, who will receive specialized training in caregiver support, crisis response, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services. To ensure broad reach and effectiveness, the bill mandates consultation with the RAISE Family Caregivers Act Advisory Council, the development of a national database of services, and a robust public awareness campaign . Additionally, the Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress evaluating the hotline's effectiveness and providing a directory of referral entities. To fund these critical services, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2032.
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Timeline
Apr 30, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 30, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • April 30, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 30, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

CARES Hotline Act

USA119th CongressHR-8620| House 
| Updated: 4/30/2026
This bill proposes to amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 by establishing a national, toll-free, 24/7 hotline for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. The hotline's primary purpose is to offer emotional support, information, brief intervention, and mental health resources , alongside comprehensive referral services to local, State, and Federal programs. The service will be staffed by trained personnel , including peer-to-peer staff, who will receive specialized training in caregiver support, crisis response, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services. To ensure broad reach and effectiveness, the bill mandates consultation with the RAISE Family Caregivers Act Advisory Council, the development of a national database of services, and a robust public awareness campaign . Additionally, the Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress evaluating the hotline's effectiveness and providing a directory of referral entities. To fund these critical services, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2032.
View Full Text

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Timeline
Apr 30, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 30, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • April 30, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 30, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (6)
Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)J. Luis Correa (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted