What You Should Know: The TANF Hygiene Access Act (H.R. 7367)

Quick Summary: The TANF Hygiene Access Act (H.R. 7367) is a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) that would create a five-year pilot grant program to help states, tribes, and tribal organizations expand access to hygiene products for low-income families in partnership with organizations that are running hygiene bank programs. It's currently in committee and hasn't come up for a vote yet.

Why This Matters for Hygiene Banks

If you're part of the HBA network, you already see this reality up close, which is that families on TANF cash assistance (TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, such as cash assistance program, employment programs, subsidies, etc). are often left stretching a limited monthly benefit across rent, utilities, food, and hygiene essentials with little left over for essentials like soap, diapers, or period products. Hygiene items aren't just an add-on expense. Going without them impacts health, feelings of wellness, and even a family's ability to work or attend school.

This bill matters because it would create dedicated funding specifically for hygiene access and would require grants to partner with basic needs organizations like hygiene banks to actually get products into families' hands. That means bills like this one create real potential pathways for organizations like ours to be part of the solution at a policy level, not just a community level.

What the Bill Actually Does

Here's a closer look at what's in H.R. 7367:

  • Five-year pilot program, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  • Competitive grants available to states, tribes, and tribal organizations

  • Required partnerships with basic needs organizations (like hygiene banks) to carry out distribution

  • Broad definition of "hygiene materials" to include soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, menstrual products, diapers, and laundry detergent

  • Designed for Product Impact - Grant funds go directly toward hygiene materials, with administrative costs capped at 15% to keep resources focused on families. Grantees also track and report on outcomes like number of families and materials served (just like the HBA does!) helping build a stronger, data-backed case for hygiene access nationwide.

📄 Want details in a one-pager? Check out our attached breakdown of the bill.

Where It Stands Right Now

The bill was introduced on February 4, 2026, and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it currently sits. It hasn't come up for a vote yet. Bills often spend months (or longer) in committee before moving forward, and advocacy from constituents can play a real role in helping a bill gain momentum toward that next step.

If You'd Like to Take Action

If you're interested in helping move this forward, one simple way is to send a short letter or email to your local representative letting them know you support the TANF Hygiene Access Act and explaining why hygiene access matters in your community.

We've put together a letter/email template that you're welcome to personalize and send. If you're not sure who your representative is, you can look them up at house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.

Resources:

Brittany Horwich