Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB4789

Introduced
7/20/23  
Refer
7/20/23  
Refer
7/21/23  

Caption

Providing for Life Act of 2023

Impact

If enacted, HB4789 would have significant implications on existing state and federal laws surrounding parental benefits. Notably, the bill creates a framework for parental leave benefits under Social Security, allowing individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria to access financial support for a maximum of three months to care for a qualified child. Additionally, the bill enforces new child support obligations, requiring biological fathers to cover certain medical expenses incurred during pregnancy and delivery, which could place further obligations on parents to ensure fair financial responsibility in raising children.

Summary

House Bill 4789, known as the Providing for Life Act of 2023, aims to expand support for unborn children, pregnant women, parents, and families. Key provisions of the bill include permanent extensions and modifications to the child tax credit, recognition of unborn children for tax purposes, and the establishment of parental leave benefits. The bill seeks to improve resources aimed at aiding pregnant women and their families through grants for pregnancy resource centers and community-based maternal mentoring programs.

Contention

The proposed changes have raised points of contention among various stakeholders. Supporters assert that the bill enhances family support mechanisms and addresses the needs of vulnerable populations, including expectant mothers and children. Critics, however, worry about the potential implications of adding more regulations on parental rights and the potential financial impacts on local governments in supporting these additional provisions. Moreover, debates have emerged about the balance between parental rights and state involvement in family matters, particularly regarding mandatory documentation and enforcement of child support payments.

Companion Bills

US SB74

Same As Providing for Life Act of 2023 This bill revises various programs and supports for families and children related to taxes, health, and other benefits. First, the bill increases the child tax credit to a maximum of $3,500 per child ($4,500 per child under the age of six) and makes permanent the increased income threshold over which the credit phases out. The bill further eliminates the federal deduction for certain state and local taxes (SALT deduction) and makes the adoption tax credit refundable. The bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Additionally, the bill requires Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to cooperate with states in establishing child support orders. It also provides additional workforce training for noncustodial parents with child support obligations. States must establish requirements for the biological father of a child to pay, at the mother's request, at least 50% of reasonable out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with the mother's pregnancy and delivery. The bill requires institutions of higher education to provide students with certain information about the resources and services (excluding abortion services) available to pregnant students. Additionally, the bill provides grants for community-based maternal mentoring programs and for pregnancy resource centers that do not provide abortions; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publish a website with specified pregnancy-related information; and extends from one to two years the postpartum benefit eligibility period under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

US HB477

Related Community Mentors for Moms Act This bill requires the Health Resources & Services Administration to make grants for demonstration projects that provide community-based maternal mentoring, which may include dedicated individual mentors and networks of peer and community support groups.

US SB48

Related Community Mentors for Moms Act This bill requires the Health Resources & Services Administration to make grants for demonstration projects that provide community-based maternal mentoring, which may include dedicated individual mentors and networks of peer and community support groups.

US SB35

Related New Parents Act of 2023 This bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. To receive the parental leave benefit, parents must choose to either increase their retirement age or temporarily receive a reduction in Social Security benefits upon retirement, as specified.

US SB76

Related Standing with Moms Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources. Specifically, HHS must maintain a public website (life.gov) that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Additionally, HHS must maintain on its website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for including through the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include on the portal. Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about life.gov and the portal through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. HHS must also ensure that the life.gov website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English. The bill excludes from life.gov, the portal, and the hotline resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities. The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to life.gov and the portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.

US HB517

Related Standing with Moms Act

US SB75

Related Lifting Local Communities Act This bill specifies that government entities may not discriminate against religious organizations when awarding federal funds for social services programs (i.e., government programs that provide services for low-income individuals and communities, such as child care, transportation, employment, housing, and meal services). Specifically, religious organizations are eligible to apply for and receive federal funds to provide services for social services programs on the same basis as private, nonreligious organizations. Additionally, government entities may not discriminate against private organizations on the basis of religion when selecting funding recipients. Organizations that receive federal funds for social services programs may not discriminate against individuals on the basis of religion when providing services. If an individual objects to the character or affiliation of a private organization that is providing a service as part of a social services program, government entities must provide the individual with reasonable alternatives. Religious organizations may bring civil actions against entities for violations.

US HB3662

Related Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023

US SB2895

Related Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2023

US SB2974

Related Pregnant Students’ Rights Act of 2023

US HB6755

Related Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act

US SB3485

Related Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act of 2023

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.