H.R. 3248: Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006

109th Congress · introduced 2005-07-12 · Health · Latest: Became Public Law No: 109-442.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2005-07-12 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Ferguson, Mike [R-NJ-7] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 109-442. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006

Plain summary

Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award matching grants or cooperative agreements to eligible state agencies to: (1) expand and enhance respite care services to family caregivers; (2) improve the statewide dissemination and coordination of respite care; and (3) provide, supplement, or improve access and quality of respite care services to family caregivers, thereby reducing family caregiver strain. Defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver. Instructs the Secretary to work cooperatively with the National Family Caregiver Support Program of the Administration on Aging and other respite care programs within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure coordination of respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) give priority to eligible state agencies that show the greatest likelihood of implementing or enhancing lifespan respite care statewide; and (2) give consideration to agencies that are building or enhancing the capacity of their long-term care systems to respond to the comprehensive needs, including respite care needs, of their residents. Directs that funds must be used to: (1) develop or enhance lifespan respite care at the state and local levels; (2) provide respite care services for family caregivers caring for children or adults; (3) train and recruit respite care workers; (4) provide information to caregivers about available respite and support services; and (5) assist caregivers in gaining access to such services. Permits part of such funds to be used for: (1) training programs for family caregivers to assist in making informed decisions about respite care services; (2) other services essential to the provision of respite care; or (3) training and education for new caregivers. Allows the Secretary to award a grant or cooperative agreement to a public or private nonprofit entity to establish the National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to: (1) maintain a national database on lifespan respite care; (2) provide training and technical assistance to state, community, and nonprofit respite care programs; and (3) provide information, referral, and educational programs to the public on lifespan respite care. Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 3) Requires the Comptroller General to conduct an evaluation and report to Congress on the effectiveness of lifespan respite care programs, including an analysis of cost benefits and improved efficiency in service delivery.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Ferguson, Mike [R-NJ-7] · 84 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3248, Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005 (2006-09-27); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3248, Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005 (2006-09-27)

Cosponsors on this site

John B. Larson (D-CT), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL) and 24 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109hr3248.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/hr>

Record fed-us-cong109-hr3248 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109