[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7367 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7367
To establish a demonstration pilot program to test the innovative use
of funds and outcomes-oriented benchmarks for initiatives to support
low income households in accessing hygiene materials.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 4, 2026
Mr. Lawler (for himself and Ms. McBride) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a demonstration pilot program to test the innovative use
of funds and outcomes-oriented benchmarks for initiatives to support
low income households in accessing hygiene materials.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``TANF Hygiene Access Act''.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM TO TEST INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT LOW INCOME
HOUSEHOLDS IN ACCESSING HYGIENE MATERIALS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary''), through the Office of
Family Assistance, shall conduct a demonstration program to test
innovative uses of funds and outcomes-oriented benchmarks for
initiatives to improve the access of low income households to hygiene
materials.
(b) Definition of Hygiene Materials.--In this Act, the term
``hygiene materials'' includes soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush,
toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, diapers, baby wipes,
postpartum pads, antibacterial hand soap, laundry detergent, dish soap.
and any other product related to hygiene as determined by the
Secretary.
(c) Applications.--
(1) Submission.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity may submit to
the Secretary an application for a grant under this
section.
(B) Eligible entity defined.--In this Act, the term
``eligible entity'' means a State, an Indian tribe, or
a tribal organization, as such terms are defined in
section 419 of the Social Security Act.
(2) Consideration.--
(A) Competitive basis.--The Secretary shall
establish a process for considering applications
submitted pursuant to this section on a competitive
basis.
(B) Factors to be considered.--The Secretary shall
select applicants to receive grants under this section
on the basis of--
(i) the strength of the design of the
hygiene access initiative described in the
application submitted by the applicant;
(ii) the capacity of the initiative to
serve the population targeted by the
initiative;
(iii) the extent to which the applicant
will partner with basic needs banks or similar
entities with demonstrated experience in
collecting, warehousing, and distributing
hygiene materials or basic needs items;
(iv) the readiness of the applicant to
evaluate the initiative;
(v) the cost-effectiveness of the
initiative;
(vi) the past performance of the applicant
in carrying out the program of the applicant
that is funded under part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act; and
(vii) geographic diversity.
(3) Publication.--On receipt of an application submitted
pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall make a copy of
the application available on the website of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
(d) Administration.--The Secretary shall administer this section in
a way that advances the goal of expanding access to hygiene materials
for a significant number of low-income households.
(e) Disbursement of Grant.--The Secretary shall disburse each grant
awarded under this section, on the 1st day of the fiscal year for which
the grant is awarded.
(f) Use of Grant.--
(1) In general.--An entity to which a grant is made under
this section may use the grant only to provide hygiene
materials to low income households.
(2) Limitation on use for administrative expenses.--Not
more than 15 percent of a grant made under this section may be
used for administrative expenses.
(g) Evaluation.--An entity to which a grant is made under this
section shall submit to the Secretary a report on the performance of
the initiative carried out with the grant funds, as assessed using the
following indicators:
(1) The geographic area served.
(2) The number of families served.
(3) The number of materials distributed.
(4) The frequency of distributions.
(h) Funding.--Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States
not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to carry out this
Act--
(1) $25,000,000 for the 1st fiscal year that begins on or
after the effective date of this Act;
(2) $30,000,000 for each of the 2nd and 3rd fiscal years
that begin on or after the effective date; and
(3) $32,500,000 for each of the 4th and 5th fiscal years
that begin on or after the effective date.
(i) Effective Date.--This Act shall take effect 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(j) Report on Feasibility of Large Scale Implementation.--Before
the 5th fiscal year that begins on or after the effective date of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report that contains
an evaluation of the demonstration program conducted under this
section, and the recommendation of the Secretary as to whether it would
be feasible to implement a program of this type on a large scale.
<all>