Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
CARES Hotline Act
A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "CARES Hotline Act," seeks to amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. It proposes the establishment of a national hotline specifically for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. The hotline is intended to provide emotional support, information, and mental health resources. It would be available 24/7 via voice and text. The Secretary would maintain this service directly or through grants and contracts with eligible nonprofit organizations. The bill also authorizes funding for this initiative over several fiscal years.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill establishes a 24/7 hotline that provides mental health resources and crisis support for caregivers.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill indirectly benefits people with disabilities by providing their caregivers with tools to access better in-home and community supports.
- Scored +6
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill provides specific support services, information, and resource navigation for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Immediate Support Access: The creation of a 24/7 toll-free hotline provides caregivers with real-time emotional support, information, and mental health resources (Section 2(a) and 2(b)).
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Professional and Peer Assistance: The hotline will be staffed by trained professionals and peer-to-peer staff to assist caregivers (Section 2(b)(4) and 2(b)(5)).
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Resource Navigation: The service will provide referral services to various local, State, and Federal resources, including crisis support and in-home supports (Section 2(b)(6)).
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Comprehensive Information: The mandate to develop and regularly update a national database ensures caregivers have access to current services, supports, and resources (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Increased Visibility: National outreach, a public-facing website, and promotional materials will help raise awareness of these available services (Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill indirectly benefits people with disabilities by providing their caregivers with tools to access better in-home and community supports. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The hotline provides free access to resource navigation and support services that can assist families managing high costs of care.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill establishes a 24/7 hotline that provides mental health resources and crisis support for caregivers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill provides specific support services, information, and resource navigation for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
J. CorreaDemocrat · California
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida