Multigenerational Caregiving Data Act

(1) A growing number of individuals in the United States provide unpaid care to both children and older adults.

(2) These individuals face distinct economic, health, and workforce challenges.

(3) Existing Federal data do not adequately capture multigenerational caregiving responsibilities, particularly when care is provided across households.

(4) Improved data collection would enhance policymaking related to caregiving, labor force participation, and health outcomes.

(5) Major Federal population surveys, including those conducted by the Bureau of the Census and the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are appropriate instruments for collecting such data.

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal statistical agencies, shall ensure that at least 1 major Federal population survey includes a question designed to identify individuals who provided regular unpaid care or assistance as a multigenerational caregiver within the previous 12 month period.

The Secretary may modify the wording, response categories, or placement of the question required under this section as necessary to—

(1) ensure clarity and reliability of responses;

(2) minimize respondent burden; and

(3) maintain consistency with the methodology of the selected survey.

Before full implementation of the question required under this section, the responsible Federal statistical agency shall conduct—

(1) cognitive testing; and

(2) field testing, as appropriate.

Any response to the question required under this section shall be voluntary.

Not later than 2 years after the date on which the question required under this section is included in a major Federal population survey, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the question that—

(A) evaluates data quality and usability;

(B) assesses respondent burden and response rates;

(C) identifies which survey or surveys included the question; and

(D) provides recommendations for expanding, modifying, or discontinuing the question.

The Secretary shall publish the report submitted under paragraph (1) on the public website of the Department of Commerce.

In this Act:

The term major Federal population survey means a nationally representative survey of individuals or households conducted by a Federal statistical agency, including—

(A) the American Community Survey;

(B) the Current Population Survey;

(C) the National Health Interview Survey; or

(D) any successor or similar survey designated by the Secretary.

The term multigenerational caregiver means an individual who provides unpaid care or assistance—

(i) to at least 1 individual who is described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B); and

(ii) to at least 1 individual who is described in a clause of subparagraph (B) other than the clause describing the individual referred to in clause (i) of this subparagraph.

The individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) are the following:

(i) A child who is less than 18 years of age.

(ii) An adult who is not less than 18 years of age and less than 65 years of age and who has a health condition or disability.

(iii) An adult who is not less than 65 years of age and who has a health condition or disability.

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.