Rep. Rob Menendez introduced the CARES Hotline Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 30, 2026. The legislation proposes the first-ever national 24/7 toll-free hotline specifically for caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The bill, officially designated as H.R. 8620, would provide peer-to-peer counseling, emotional support, and access to a national database of caregiver resources.

Three major advocacy organizations have already endorsed the bill: the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, and Whole Spectrum Autism.

What the Bill Would Create

The CARES (Caregiver Access to Resources and Emotional Support) Hotline Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a national hotline through a grant or contract with an eligible entity. Trained professionals would staff the line around the clock to provide emotional support, brief intervention, and mental health referrals.

Unlike general crisis lines, this hotline would connect caregivers with peer counselors who understand the specific challenges of supporting someone with IDD. The bill also requires the creation and maintenance of a national database containing state-by-state caregiver resources, ensuring families can find local support regardless of where they live.

The legislation doesn't currently specify funding levels or a timeline for implementation if passed.

Why This Matters Now

Caregiver burnout is a documented crisis. A 2025 AARP study found that 23% of family caregivers report feeling their own health has declined as a result of caregiving responsibilities. For IDD caregivers specifically, the demands are often lifelong, not limited to a period of recovery or end-of-life care.

At the same time, federal support systems are under strain. Medicaid programs in multiple states have tightened eligibility requirements over the past year, and the Administration for Community Living, the agency that funds independent living programs and respite care initiatives, faces elimination under current budget proposals.

This hotline would offer direct access to support at a moment when caregivers have fewer safety nets and more administrative hurdles.

Who Supports the Bill

Five members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors: Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The bill emerged from conversations between Rep. Menendez and Whole Spectrum Autism, a Jersey City-based advocacy group. In April 2026, Menendez met with Subodh Garg, who appeared on Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, and his sister Aarti Garg, an autism advocate, to discuss strengthening caregiver support at the community level.

What Families Can Do Now

You can influence whether this bill advances. Here's how:

• Contact your U.S. Representative. Call or email to express support for H.R. 8620. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; if your representative serves on that committee, your input carries additional weight. You can find your representative and their contact information at house.gov.
• Share the bill with advocacy groups you're part of. Organizations that work with IDD families can mobilize support by encouraging members to contact their representatives or by issuing formal endorsements.
• Access existing caregiver resources while the bill moves through Congress. The Arc maintains a national directory of state and local chapters offering caregiver support programs. The Autism Society runs a national helpline at 1-800-328-8476. Many states also operate Developmental Disabilities Councils that provide caregiver training and respite care referrals.

What Happens Next

H.R. 8620 is now with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. If the committee approves it, the bill moves to a full House vote. From there, it would need to pass the Senate and receive the President's signature to become law.

The legislative timeline is uncertain. Similar caregiver support bills have taken months or years to advance, and passage isn't guaranteed. But public support, demonstrated through constituent contact with representatives, does influence whether bills move forward or stall in committee.

If you're an IDD caregiver, this bill represents a concrete proposal to create infrastructure that doesn't currently exist at the federal level. Whether it becomes law depends in part on whether Congress hears from the families who would use it.