CARES Hotline Act

Sponsor: Robert Menendez (Democratic-NJ)April 30, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Creates a national hotline for caregivers of people with developmental disabilities.

This bill would create a national, toll-free hotline for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. It would offer 24/7 support, information, and referrals through voice and text, helping caregivers find resources and emotional support they currently lack.

What Would Change

Today, there is no national hotline specifically for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. If this bill becomes law, a national, toll-free, 24/7 hotline would be established. It would offer voice and text support, emotional help, and referrals, backed by $10,000,000 in authorized funding each year from the government's budget years 2027 to 2032.

Key Provisions

Creates a national, toll-free hotline for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Provides 24/7 support through voice and text, staffed by trained professionals and peer counselors.
Offers referrals to local, state, and federal resources, including crisis support and in-home help.
Requires a public awareness campaign to inform caregivers about the hotline.
Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated each year from the government's budget years 2027 to 2032 to pay for the hotline.
Requires the creation and regular update of a national database of caregiver resources.

View on Congress.gov

HR 8620 · 119th Congress · April 30, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

CARES Hotline Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity