TANF Hygiene Access Act
Sponsored By: Representative Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a demonstration at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Family Assistance to test using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to expand access to hygiene materials for low-income households. It starts one year after enactment and awards competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to try new delivery and outcome-based approaches.
Show full summary
- Families and low-income households could get better access to everyday hygiene items like soap, diapers, menstrual products, and other products the Secretary allows, through locally run distribution programs.
- State governments and tribal applicants could compete for grants. Grant selection weighs program design, capacity to serve the target population, partnerships with basic needs banks or similar distributors, readiness to evaluate results, cost-effectiveness, past performance under Title IV Part A, and geographic diversity.
- HHS would run the demonstration through the Office of Family Assistance and must publish grant applications on its website when received, so programs can be reviewed publicly.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Hygiene grants for low-income households
This bill would create an HHS demonstration to expand access to hygiene supplies for low-income households. The Secretary would run a competitive grant program for States, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations. Grants could be used only to provide listed hygiene items (for example: soap, toothpaste, diapers, feminine products, baby wipes, and detergent), and grantees could spend no more than 15% of a grant on administrative costs. The government would fund the demo with $25 million in the first fiscal year, $30 million in each of the second and third fiscal years, and $32.5 million in each of the fourth and fifth fiscal years, totaling $150 million over five years. HHS would post each application online when received, require grantee performance reports on families and items served, disburse each grant on the first day of the fiscal year it covers, and report to Congress on feasibility before the fifth fiscal year. The program would take effect one year after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Cosponsors
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov