The FASD Respect Act (S.139) is legislation addressing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) at the federal level, introduced during the 119th Congressional Session. This bipartisan legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota). It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Labor, Education, and Pensions (HELP).
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 2483) is an omnibus (package of bills) health bill reauthorizing a broad range of programs and services related to substance use support, prevention, and treatment. Provisions from the FASD Respect Act are included in the SUPPORT Act as Section 104: Support for individuals and families impacted by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This bill was introduced in the House by Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie [KY-R-2] with FASD provisions originally included. The SUPPORT Act passed through the House of Representatives on June 4th and has been referred to the Senate HELP Committee.
FASD Respect Act in the SUPPORT Act
FASD Respect Act language is included in the SUPPORT Act due to the tireless advocacy from self-advocates, families, professionals, and Congressional champions over the last decade. Federal legislation addressing FASD has been introduced during the past several sessions of Congress, increasing awareness of FASD among legislators and fueling a surge of advocacy across the country.
What’s in the Bill?
FASD provisions within Section 104 of the SUPPORT Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to:
- Continue, establish, or improve programs and services for FASD education, intervention, prevention, and support delivery.
- Provide funding to State and Tribal Systems for FASD Services throughout the lifespan.
- Include a definition of FASD-informed in Federal code.
- Strengthen nationwide, state and tribal capacity to identify, treat, and support individuals with FASD and their families.
What Does This Mean?
Federal programs addressing FASD have either remained stagnant or have expired since initial authorizations over twenty years ago. When a bill establishes a new program, there is a specific authorization period attached to. Once that period ends, funds may still be allocated during the appropriation process, but the programs and substance of the bill remain unchanged. In the case of FASD programming, this meant that efforts to support individuals and families, prevent prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and provide early intervention services have become ineffective and inefficient due to a lack of resources and direction.
Get Involved
Want to get involved? Here’s how you can help!
Are you an Individual who supports the passage of The FASD Respect Act?
Are you an Organization that supports passage of The FASD Respect Act?
Are you a Legislative Staffer looking for more information on The FASD Respect Act?
builds on the work done by advocates across the country over the last decade to strengthen and update the Federal response to FASD. Historically, the FASD Respect Act has been championed by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Amy Klobuchar and Representatives Betty McCollum [D-MN-4] and Don Bacon [R-NE-2], with broad bipartisan support throughout the 117th and 118th Congressional sessions.
Why do We Need the FASD Respect Act?
Harm to America’s children from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a significant public health problem and the most commonly known cause of developmental disabilities in the United States. Recent research shows an alarming prevalence of up to 1 in 20 first graders in the United States having the resulting disability of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). PAE is especially harmful to the developing brain impacting all facets of a child’s life. Research also shows that alcohol causes far greater harm to the developing brain than any other drug combined, yet recognition of the disability — with appropriate supports and services — can prevent secondary disabilities (e.g., dropping out of school, getting into trouble with the law, alcohol and drug use, etc.).
Alarming gaps in FASD-related diagnostic and clinical resources are common throughout the United States. Among medical and behavioral health professionals, inconsistent use or limited knowledge of diagnostic criteria and clinical guidelines result in many (if not most) children and adults living with FASD going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Families in every state, and especially in the child welfare system, struggle with FASD, and they cannot find systems of care that are familiar with or are equipped to diagnose and address FASD-related disabilities.
Federal funding for FASD prevention and intervention has declined from $27 million as authorized in the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Act of 1998 to just over $12 million in FY2021. Also, existing FASD efforts are hindered by fragmented federal, state and local policy approaches and a lack of resources specifically dedicated to FASD prevention and intervention. Although many states and local communities have programs and policies to help support FASD prevention, FASD-informed intervention practices and services are limited in most systems of care around the country, and the United States itself lacks a national agenda to unite government efforts towards a common goal.
