The Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 — bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program and increases federal investment over five years — won wide support in the U.S. House. The bill supports expectant mothers and parents of young children to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

The bill is named after Jackie Walorski, the late Indiana Congresswoman who died in August.

“Our youth are 25 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future. This bill gives mothers and children a critical hand up, not a hand out, to ensure their future is much brighter," said U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th. “I was honored to serve with Ms. Walorski on the Ways & Means Committee and I saw firsthand just how passionate she was about this issue. This legislation not only carries on Ms. Walorski's legacy, but it will continue to strengthen the American family for years to come."

Among its many provisions, the bill would provide a $100 million increase in base funding starting in fiscal year 2023, and phase in additional federal matching funding starting in fiscal year 2024 that requires a 25 percent state match.

The bill passed the House in a bipartisan 390-26 vote, with 15 members not voting. Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-15th, Conor Lamb, D-17th, and Kelly, who represent Butler County, voted in favor of the bill.