President Bush signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act into law on December 21, 2006.

The new law authorizes $289 million over five years for states to:

* develop lifespan respite care at the state and local level;
* provide respite care services for family caregivers caring for children or adults;
* train and recruit respite care workers and volunteers;
* when should an assessment occur
* provide information to caregivers about available respite or support services; and
* assist caregivers in gaining access to such services

The new law cannot be implemented until Congress appropriates the funding.