Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 29, 2026
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.
Source last updated: May 21, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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