Bills · S 3604
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3604Health
Public Health Nursing Act
INTRO JAN 8· LAST ACTION JAN 8
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it provides a significant, dedicated investment in the public health nursing workforce, which is crucial for community health, especially in preventive care and responding to health crises. If passed, it would provide federal funding to boost the number of nurses working directly in communities, potentially leading to better health outcomes and reduced health disparities for vulnerable populations who often lack easy access to healthcare.
If this bill becomes law, more public health nurses could be hired to educate communities, manage chronic diseases, improve maternal and infant health, and respond to local health needs. If it doesn't pass, state and local public health departments might continue to struggle with limited resources to expand their nursing workforce, potentially leaving communities, especially those already underserved, with less access to vital preventive health services and education.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a federal grant program for state, local, and territorial public health departments to establish, expand, and sustain their public health nursing workforce.
This creates a dedicated funding stream to directly address staffing needs in community health.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that grant funds can be used for recruiting, hiring, training, wages, and benefits for licensed registered nurses, and for necessary medical supplies, including personal protective equipment.
This ensures comprehensive support for the public health nursing role and covers essential operational costs.
PROVISION 03
Prioritizes grant applicants who serve medically underserved areas, low-income populations, areas with high rates of chronic disease or maternal/infant mortality, and those with plans for culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
This targets resources to communities with the greatest health disparities and needs, aiming for equitable health improvements.
PROVISION 04
Requires grant recipients to maintain their current non-federal spending levels on public health nursing activities.
This ensures federal funds supplement, rather than replace, existing state and local investments in public health.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $5 billion in funding annually for ten fiscal years, from 2026 through 2035.
This provides substantial, long-term financial commitment to building the public health nursing workforce.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· Massachusetts
YRS IN OFFICE
51
BILLS LED
160
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 2 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 8
Introduced in Senate
JAN 8
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3604
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 8, 2026
Last actionJan 8, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 8, 2026
Senate BillS 3604Health
Public Health Nursing Act
INTRODUCED JAN 8, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 8, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
