HR 1262 United States House · 119th Congress

Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act

Summary
Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research.  Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Oct 2025
House Passage
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Last action Dec 2, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced in House Engrossed in House · 4 edits · Dec 1, 2025
MODERATE
The Engrossed version of HR 1262 adds two entirely new sections (generic drug application transparency and a Medicare Improvement Fund increase), shifts the pediatric studies funding window one year later, and renames the bill to honor Mikaela Naylon. The most significant policy additions are a new requirement for FDA to disclose whether generic drugs match their listed drugs in inactive ingredients, and an approximately $1.2 billion increase to the Medicare Improvement Fund.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to cover two new policy areas: transparency requirements for generic drug applications (requiring FDA to disclose inactive ingredient comparisons) and a significant increase in Medicare Improvement Fund funding. The pediatric studies funding timeline was also shifted one year later.
FISCAL

The pediatric studies program funding period was shifted from fiscal years 2025 through 2027 to fiscal years 2026 through 2028, delaying the start of funding by one year while maintaining the $25 million annual amount.

New Section 11 increases the Medicare Improvement Fund from $1,403,000,000 to $2,622,000,000, an increase of approximately $1.2 billion.

REQUIREMENT

New Section 10 requires FDA to disclose whether a generic drug is qualitatively and quantitatively the same as its listed drug upon request from a generic applicant. If they differ, FDA must identify which specific ingredients cause the difference and the amount of any quantitative deviation. FDA may not reverse a 'same' determination after an application is submitted unless the listed drug formulation was withdrawn for safety or effectiveness or an error is identified. Draft guidance is required within one year.

SCOPE

The bill was renamed from the 'Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025' to the 'Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act,' removing the year reference and adding a person's name, likely in memory or honor of an individual.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Amendments
3
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4929-4932)
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4929-4932)
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Mr. Carter (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
lower
Oct 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-352.
lower
Sep 17, 2025
Introduced
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 0.
lower
Sep 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 313 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Michael T. McCaul
Michael T. McCaul
RRepublican
TX
10
Co
Photo of Aaron Bean
Aaron Bean
RRepublican
FL
4
Co
Photo of Abraham J. Hamadeh
Abraham J. Hamadeh
RRepublican
AZ
8
Co
Photo of Adam Gray
Adam Gray
DDemocratic
CA
13
Co
Photo of Adam Smith
Adam Smith
DDemocratic
WA
9
Co
Photo of Adrian Smith
Adrian Smith
RRepublican
NE
3
Co
Photo of Adriano Espaillat
Adriano Espaillat
DDemocratic
NY
13
Co
Photo of Al Green
Al Green
DDemocratic
TX
9
Co
Photo of Alma S. Adams
Alma S. Adams
DDemocratic
NC
12
Co
Photo of Ami Bera
Ami Bera
DDemocratic
CA
6
Co
Photo of Andrea Salinas
Andrea Salinas
DDemocratic
OR
6