H.R. 10007
Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2026
Sponsor: Shri Thanedar · 0 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2026
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out certain activities related to the environmental-health workforce. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on state-based practices for training and credentialing environmental-health workers.
Specifically, HHS must develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing environmental-health workers and a plan to ensure its programs and activities meet the future needs of the environmental-health workforce.
The bill also specifies that environmental-health workers are eligible for public-service loan forgiveness for educational loans.
Text of the bill
(a) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with appropriate national professional organizations, Federal, State, local, and tribal governmental agencies, and private-sector and nongovernmental entities, shall develop model standards and guidelines for credentialing environmental health workers.
(b) Provision of standards and technical assistance. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to State, local, and tribal governments—
(1) the model standards and guidelines developed under subsection (a); and
(2) technical assistance in credentialing environmental health workers.