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HR8545119th CongressWALLET

Access to Donor Milk Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would expand access to and safety of donor human milk. It would set federal minimum safety standards, create an emergency capacity grant program for nonprofit milk banks, and fund a public awareness campaign to reach clinicians and families.

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  • Families of high-risk infants and participants in nutrition programs would receive targeted education and outreach, and could see improved availability of pasteurized donor milk during shortages or disasters.
  • Nonprofit donor human milk banks would be eligible for competitive grants to boost emergency capacity. Grants may cover collection, storage, pasteurization, transfers, staffing, supplies, and processing equipment.
  • State agencies and clinicians would be authorized to collect and store unprocessed human milk and transfer it to nonprofit milk banks. The bill would require federal draft guidance and public meetings to establish minimum safety standards for collection, handling, pasteurization, testing, and transfers.

*Authorizes $3.0 million for fiscal year 2026 for the emergency capacity grant program and allows additional funding as needed in later years.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Emergency grants for donor milk banks

The bill would create a competitive HHS grant program to expand emergency capacity at nonprofit donor human milk banks. Grants would go only to 501(c)(3) nonprofit milk banks that show a rapid demand increase or a supply shortage, or when the Secretary or President declares a major disaster or public health emergency. Grant funds would cover outreach, collection, storage, pasteurization, staffing, consumables, and equipment. The bill would authorize $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and such sums as necessary thereafter.

Public campaign on donor human milk

The bill would require HHS, through HRSA, to run a public awareness campaign about the benefits and safety of donor human milk. Materials would be sent to clinicians, lactation professionals, expectant and new parents (with a focus on WIC participants), and community organizations. HRSA could work with nonprofit donor milk banks on materials and outreach. This would aim to raise clinician and family awareness and improve referral paths for high-risk infants.

State funds to collect donor milk

The bill would amend the Child Nutrition Act to let State agencies use certain section 17 promotion and public health nutrition funds to collect and store unprocessed human milk. State agencies would be allowed to transfer that unprocessed milk to nonprofit donor human milk banks as defined in the bill. These changes would expand how existing program dollars can support donor milk collection and transfer, which may increase access for WIC participants and families of high-risk infants.

Safety rules and definitions for donor milk

The bill would define key terms for donor human milk, milk-derived products, and donor milk banks. The bill would direct HHS to hold a public meeting within 180 days after enactment to inform safety standards. The bill would require draft federal guidance within 18 months that sets minimum safety standards for collecting, handling, pasteurizing, storing, and transferring donor milk. These steps would aim to make federal safety rules clearer while considering nonprofit milk bank capacity.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

  • Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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