HR 9641 United States House · 119th Congress

Essential Caregivers Act of 2026

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 requires nursing homes, long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and intermediate care facilities to allow two chosen family members or friends to visit residents during times when regular visitation is suspended. These essential caregivers must agree to follow the facility's existing safety and infection control rules, which are no more restrictive than those applied to staff. While facilities can limit access for the first seven days of a suspension or deny entry if a caregiver shows symptoms of a serious infectious disease, they cannot block visits for end-of-life care. Additionally, the bill mandates that complaints about denied access to essential caregivers be investigated and resolved within three days.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Jul 13, 2026 Last action Jul 15, 2026

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jul 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jul 13, 2026

Committee

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.

lower

Jul 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 53 co-sponsors