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The bill would expand identification, prevention, and support services for children and families affected by FASD through federally backed centers, outreach, and resource networks, but relies on discretionary funding and administrative requirements that could cause uneven implementation, higher federal costs, and added burdens for small jurisdictions.
Children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and their families would gain broader access to identification, diagnosis, early intervention, and ongoing supports through funded Centers of Excellence, state/Tribal capacity building, training/technical assistance for local providers, and a national clearinghouse of evidence-based resources.
Parents and the public would receive expanded awareness campaigns that could reduce prenatal alcohol use and help prevent new cases of FASD.
States, Tribes, and local providers would have access to federally authorized funding (authorized 'such sums as may be necessary') through 2029, offering flexibility to sustain FASD programs nationwide.
The bill's permissive/discretionary ('may') funding and implementation language gives the HHS Secretary wide discretion, risking uneven rollout and geographic disparities in services.
Expanding Centers, campaigns, and supports will increase federal spending with no specific appropriation amount, which could raise taxpayer costs or crowd out other priorities.
Repealing section 519D could remove or alter existing authority or programs, potentially disrupting current services for patients and complicating state program continuity if replacements are insufficient.
Refocuses and expands federal activities on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) by updating program purposes, allowing the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary discretion to run activities, and creating a national grant program to establish FASD Centers for Excellence. The bill authorizes grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to public and nonprofit entities to boost diagnostic capacity, public awareness, training, technical assistance, and a clearinghouse for best practices, and requires a 4-year report to Congress on progress and best practices. It also authorizes appropriations as needed for fiscal years 2025–2029 and repeals a related statutory provision.
Introduced January 16, 2025 by Lisa Murkowski · Last progress January 16, 2025