Legislative Action Center:
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The Policy Division of the |
TIMELINE AND BILL ACTIONLifespan Respite Care Program Reauthorization Act of 2020 (H.R. 8906) Became Law on January 5, 2021. Public Law No: 116-324. |
HR 8906, introduced by Rep. Jim Langevin in the House on December 9, 2020, was a compromise bill that had originally passed the Senate in February 2020 as S 995 as amended (see actions below).This bipartisan bill reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program through FY2024 at $10 million annually . The bill requires each state agency that is awarded a grant under the program to report any data required by the Department of Health and Human Services for program monitoring and evaluation.HR 8906 passed the House unanimously on December 10, 2021 and passed the Senate unanimously on December 18, 2020. The bill was signed into law on January 5, 2021 (P.L. Public Law No: 116-324).Enrolled BillHouse Engrossed BillPublic Law PL116-324, Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act of 2020Congressional Record, December 10, 2020Rep. Langevin's Press ReleaseSenator Baldwin's Press Release
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Recent Legislative History |
Lifespan Respite Care Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 2035; S. 995) |
On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 was introduced in the Senate by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and in the House by Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).Bill Action:
The House-passed bill authorizes $200 million over five years for grants to states to implement statewide coordinated systems of respite services, provide planned and emergency respite services, recruit and train respite workers and volunteers, and provide information to family caregivers to help them access respite services. To date, 37 states and the District of Columbia have received Lifespan Respite grants from the Administration for Community Living. Extending the program for another five years will help assure that states are able to sustain the great work they have begun and still allow new states to receive a grant.
Important Bill DocumentsAs Introduced:H.R. 2035S.995 (as introduced)Letter of Endorsement from National Organizations on Introduced BillsSide-by-side summary and comparison of House and Senate-passed bills to Current LawHouse Action:House Health Subcommittee of Energy & Commerce Committee Hearing on Lifespan Respite Care ActHouse Committee on Energy and Commerce Mark-up of HR 2035House Health Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce Comittee Report, H. Rept. 116-175House Congressional Record Floor Proceedings on Passage of HR 2035, the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization ActFirst House-Passed Bill (HR 2035)
Senate ActionS. 995 as amended and approved in Senate HELP CommitteeVideo of Senate Full Committee Mark-up on October 31, 2019Letter from National Organizations Supporting the Chairman's Mark for S. 995 (amended)Video of Floor Proceedings for Senate Passage. See Feb 25, 2020 alert below for information on Senate passage of S 995 |
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS AND UDPATES ON REAUTHORIZATION |
December 10, 2020 |
Rep. Langevin Introduces Second House Bill to Spur Final Passage |
On December 9, 2020, HR 8906, the companion text to the Senate-passed Lifespan Respite Reauthorization bill (S.995 as amended) was introduced by Rep. Langevin in the House. It authorizes $50 million for Lifespan Respite over five years ($10 m annually) through FY 2024. It is expected that the bill will be passed by the House and then hotlined (for quick action under unanimous consent) in the Senate, with final passage before the end of the 116th Congress. |
February 25, 2020 |
Senate Passes Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act (S.995) |
On February 24, 2020, the Senate passed the Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act by voice vote. Now this bill will have to be reconciled with the House-passed bill or go directly to the House floor for final passage.
Watch Senator Collins Feb 24th floor statement and final vote on passage of S. 995 as amended. |
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July 24, 2019 |
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act of 2019! |
Watch the House Floor Proceedings and the Vote! |
June 25, 2019 |
House Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on the Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act, H.R. 2035 |
On June 25, the House Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on “Reauthorizing Vital Health Programs for American Families.” The Lifespan Respite Care Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 2035) was one of four public health programs under consideration by the Committee during this hearing. Jill Kagan testified on behalf of the National Respite Coalition, the policy division of ARCH in support of the bill, and answered questions from subcommittee members.Opening Statements of Committee Chair and Ranking MemberNational Respite Coalition Written TestimonyLetter from members of the Autism, Developmental Disabilities and Autism Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in support of HR 2035AARP Letter in Support of HR 2035You can watch the hearing here: |
Video Statements of Support from 2017At the National Lifespan Respite Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, October 2017, the House and Senate champions of the Lifespan Respite Care Program Reauthorization Act presented via video message on their support for the bill and called conference participants to action to help pass the bill.
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Summary of Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (changes from current law in italics):Use of Funds:The Lifespan Respite Program law authorizes competitive grants to eligible state agencies in collaboration with a public or private non-profit state respite coalition or organization to make quality respite available and accessible to family caregivers regardless of age or disability. Aging and Disability Resource Centers must be involved as collaborators as well. The law allows grantees to identify, coordinate and build on federal, state and local respite resources and funding streams, and would help support, expand and streamline planned and emergency respite, provider recruitment and training, and caregiver training. Grantees will have the option of using funds for training programs for family caregivers in making informed decisions about respite services; for other services essential to the provision of respite; and for training and education for new caregivers. What is a Lifespan Respite Program?A lifespan respite program provides a coordinated system of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs. Lead Agency EligibilityFunds are provided on a competitive grant basis to specified state agencies or an agency appointed by the Governor. The state lead entity must involve an Aging and Disability Resource Center and work in collaboration with a public or private nonprofit statewide respite coalition or organization. A memorandum of agreement is required in the application. Priority would be given to applicants who show the greatest likelihood of implementing or enhancing lifespan respite care statewide. Who Can Access Lifespan Respite Programs?Caregivers who are family members, foster parents, other adults providing unpaid (clarified in report language) care for an adult or child with a special need may access these programs. Application SubmissionThe Governor submits application on behalf of the State Agency that administers the Older American's Act, the State's Medicaid program, or another agency designated by the Governor. Federal AdministrationSecretary of Health and Human Services is required to work in cooperation with the National Family Caregiver Support Program Officer of the Administration on Aging and other respite care programs within the Department to ensure coordination of respite for family caregivers. Funding AuthorizationHouse-passed bill: $20 million in FY 2020; $30 million in FY 2021; $40 million in FY 2022; $50 million in FY 2023; and $60 million in FY 2024. Senate-passed bill: $10 million in each of FYs 2020-2024 National Resource CenterEstablishes National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care |
State Reports |
Amends DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING to read: House-passed bill: Each eligible State agency awarded a grant or cooperative agreement must collect, maintain, and report such data and records to enable the Secretary— Senate-passed bill: (a) Each State agency awarded a grant or cooperative agreement under section 2902 shall report such data, information, and metrics as the Secretary may require for purposes of— |
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ContactJill Kagan, MPH |
Contact Congress![]()
116th Congress |
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2020 introduced in the 116th Congress (H.R. 8906).Final Enrolled Bill |
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act introduced in the 116th Congress (H.R. 2035, S. 995).Letter of Endorsement of the Lifespan Respite Reauhorization Act of 2019 from 49 National Organizations
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115th Congress |
2017 Letter from National Endorsing Organizations |
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