H.R. 3521 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, May 20, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMaking Clinical Trials More Accessible to Underrepresented Groups
This bill tries to make it easier for people to participate in medical research studies, especially those in underrepresented communities. It creates a grant program to help recruit and educate people about clinical trials in rural and tribal areas. It also removes legal barriers that prevented researchers from covering participants' expenses, providing free health technology tools, or paying for medical cost-sharing—and it exempts up to $2,000 that participants earn from a trial from income taxes.
How it affects you
If you live in a rural or tribal community, or if you're part of a group that has historically been underrepresented in medical research, this could make it easier to participate in clinical trials without financial barriers. For everyone else, this may lead to more diverse medical research that could eventually benefit the design and testing of new treatments.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, May 20, 2025)
Clinical Trial Modernization Act
This bill authorizes a grant program and provides certain exemptions to support the participation of individuals in clinical trials.
Specifically, the bill authorizes a grant program to support outreach, education, and recruitment efforts for clinical trials that may benefit certain underrepresented populations or communities in need, such as rural or tribal areas.
The bill also exempts from anti-kickback laws for federal health care programs (1) remuneration that is offered to cover participants' expenses to participate in clinical trials, (2) the provision of free digital health technologies to support participation of underrepresented populations in clinical trials, and (3) payment for participants' cost-sharing obligations in relation to clinical trials.
Finally, the bill exempts up to $2,000 in remuneration that is received for participating in a clinical trial from income tax.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 3521
A BILL
Clinical Trial Modernization Act
Sponsor: Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) · Introduced May 20, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 20, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”
Sections
Sections · 7
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2DefinitionNo change
- Sec. 3Grants to encourage clinical trial enrollment by underrepresented populationsNo change
- Sec. 4Encouragement of clinical trial participation by underrepresented populations through payment of study participant clinical trial expenses and provision of digital health technologiesNo change
- Sec. 5Encouragement of clinical trial accessibility through support of clinical trial cost-sharingNo change
- Sec. 6Exclusion from gross income for remuneration provided by sponsors of approved clinical trials to participantsNo change
- Sec. 7Rule of constructionNo change