U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB9641: Essential Caregivers Act of 2026
Status: In committee, July 15, 2026
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require certain facilities to permit visits from an essential caregiver during certain periods.
What the bill says
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require certain facilities to permit visits from an essential caregiver during certain periods.
From the introduced text, July 13, 2026:
A BILL To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require certain facilities to permit visits from an essential caregiver during certain periods. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 . SECTION 2. Requiring certain facilities to permit visits from an essential caregiver during certain periods (a) Nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities (1) In general Sections 1819(c) and 1919(c) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395i-3(c) ; 1396r(c)) are each amended-- (A) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and inserting ; and ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following new and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Essential caregivers program (A) In general For purposes of subparagraph (F) of paragraph (3), the essential caregivers program described in this paragraph is a program implemented by a facility described in such paragraph under which such facility must-- (i) allow each resident of such facility the ability to elect 2 essential caregivers (as defined in subparagraph (D)) to have in-person access to such resident at such facility; (ii) allow each such resident to amend such election at any time; and (iii) subject to subparagraph …
Sponsors
- Claudia Tenney (R, HD-024) · primary sponsor
- John Larson (D, HD-001)
- Mike Carey (R, HD-015)
- Jack Bergman (R, HD-001)
- Angela Craig (D, HD-MN-2)
- Glenn Thompson (R, HD-PA-15)
- Brian Fitzpatrick (R, HD-001)
- Sarah McBride (D, HD-000)
- Scott Franklin (R, HD-FL-18)
- Christopher Deluzio (D, HD-PA-17)
- Johnny Olszewski (D, HD-002)
- Bruce Westerman (R)
Latest actions
- : Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
- : Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions, Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care, Health
Common questions
- What is HB9641?
- HB9641 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Essential Caregivers Act of 2026.
- What does HB9641 do?
- In its own words: To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require certain facilities to permit visits from an essential caregiver during certain periods.
- What is the status of HB9641?
- In committee as of July 15, 2026. Latest action: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0. (July 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB9641?
- Claudia Tenney (R, HD-024), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB9641?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9641
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.