108th Congress

National Center for Social Work Research Act of 2004

H.R. 844, H.R. 3887, and S. 73

Background

H.R. 3887, the National Center for Social Work Research Act of 2004, is similar to H.R. 844, both of which were introduced by Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-TX) during the 108th Congress. The key difference is that H.R. 3887 would have provided the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with authority to establish the National Center for Social Work Research within the Department rather than at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). S. 73, its companion bill, is nearly identical to H.R. 844 and would have established the Center at NIH. The Center would have supported and disseminated information about basic and clinical social work research and training, with an emphasis on service to underserved and rural populations. The legislation would have also fostered the coordination of social work research activities between U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies. H.R. 3887 is similar to legislation introduced in the 107th Congress.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

According to H.R. 3887, the purpose of the Center would have been the “conduct and support of, and dissemination of targeted research concerning social work methods and outcomes related to problems of significant social concern.” The Director of the Center would have been authorized to provide research training and would have established, in the Center or nonprofit institutions, research fellowships “in the study and investigation of the prevention of disease; health promotion; the association of socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, age, and geographical location and health; the social work care of individuals with and families of individuals with acute and chronic illnesses; child abuse, neglect, and youth violence; and child and family care to address problems of significant social concern, especially in underserved populations and underserved geographical areas.”

The Center would have had an advisory council that would have reviewed grant applications, among other responsibilities. According to H.R. 3887, ex officio members of the advisory council would have included the Secretary of HHS, Director of NIH, Director of the Center, Associate Director for Prevention at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Associate Director for Prevention at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In addition, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, an official of NIMH with principal responsibility for research and clinical epidemiology designated by the Director of NIMH, an official of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with principal responsibility for community planning and development, and an official of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with principal responsibility for social work programs would have been designated as ex officio members.

The Secretary would have transmitted to the President and Congress a biennial report, which would have been prepared by the Director of the Center. H.R. 3887 would have authorized the appropriation of such sums as may have been necessary for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009.

Status and Outlook

H.R. 3887 was introduced by Representative Rodriguez on March 3, 2004, and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 108th Congress.

S. 73, its companion bill, was introduced by Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) on January 7, 2003, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 108th Congress.