PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 2, 2002
Book Stamp Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program (based on certain State allocations under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990) to promote child literacy and improve children's access to books at home and in early learning, child care, literacy and nutrition programs, by making books available through such programs.Requires State agencies to use such grants to enter into contracts with local child care resource and referral agencies to: (1) provide payments for eligible early learning, child care, literacy and nutrition providers, on the basis of local needs, to make books available; and (2) improve children's access to books at home. Allows State agencies to reserve a portion of grant funds to support a public awareness campaign relating to program activities.Amends Federal law relating to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to require USPS to establish special postage stamps for child literacy, at the regular first-class rate plus a differential amount, for voluntary use by patrons. Requires USPS to pay certain amounts raised by stamp sales to HHS for child literacy promotion activities.
People & committees
Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] · D–MA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3858-3859)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3857-3858)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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