Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has announced that he is cosponsoring the bipartisan FASD Respect Act, which would expand Federal resources for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
The bill is set to improve support services, public health prevention, and research programs across agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 1 in 20 school-aged children may be affected by FASD. Yet, many children and families lack the necessary services or support.
The bill, also known as Senate Bill (SB) 139, was first introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and will establish Centers of Excellence to provide support for children and families affected by FASD.
Specifically, SB 139 reauthorizes and modifies programs that are administered by the HHS to address FASD, including educational and research programs. The bill also establishes FASD Centers for Excellence to support FASD prevention, such as through screenings, public awareness campaigns, and training, particularly at the state and local levels.
Ossoff commented on the bill, stressing its significance for the State of Georgia. He also emphasized the bipartisan nature of the bill and shared the responsibility both parties bear to improve the nation's health.
“Each child in Georgia deserves every opportunity to succeed. That is why I am working with both parties to expand much-needed resources for children with disabilities across Georgia and the Nation,” Ossoff stated.
This follows a trend in the Senator’s recent legislative activity.
In August, he collaborated with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) to introduce the Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act to help disabled veterans and their small businesses. In April, Ossoff also cosponsored the bipartisan Ensuring Nationwide Access to a Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act to extend tax benefits for people with disabilities and help them save for future expenses.
