National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3601
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-10T09:05:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act, aims to address the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—traumatic events like violence or abuse that can harm a child's emotional and physical development—by creating a federal grant program. It supports communities in building teams and systems to identify, respond to, and prevent the long-term impacts of such trauma on children and youth.
Key Provisions
- Grant Authorization: The Attorney General, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, can award grants to states, local governments, Indian Tribes (federally recognized Native American groups), and community-based organizations. These grants focus on tackling ACEs linked to trauma exposure.
- Permitted Uses of Funds: Grant money can fund:
- Creating response teams with protocols for helping children exposed to trauma access services.
- Forming partnerships for referrals to mental health, substance abuse treatment, and family recovery support.
- Combining law enforcement, mental health, and crisis services for trauma situations.
- Running support programs for affected children.
- Spotting community barriers to trauma-informed care (approaches that recognize trauma's effects and avoid re-traumatizing individuals).
- Training emergency responders, victim services, child welfare workers, schools, and others in trauma-informed methods.
- Encouraging collaboration across systems like courts, child welfare, health care, and substance abuse programs.
- Offering technical help to prevent and reduce trauma's effects.
- Application Process: Eligible recipients must apply to the Attorney General with required details.
- Funding: Authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (a major law funding crime prevention and justice programs) by adding a new section (Part OO, Section 3051). It introduces a dedicated grant program for ACEs response teams, which did not previously exist in this statute, expanding federal support for trauma-related child services beyond traditional crime control.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination between the Department of Justice and Health and Human Services, potentially streamlining federal funding for local trauma response. Local agencies may see improved efficiency in handling child trauma cases through integrated services.
- On Citizens: Children and families exposed to trauma could gain better access to mental health, recovery, and preventive care, reducing long-term health and social issues like substance abuse or involvement in the justice system.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the program is domestic-focused on U.S. communities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary Recipients: States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and neighborhood or community-based organizations, which can apply for and use grants.
- Service Providers: Law enforcement, mental health professionals, child protective services, schools, courts, emergency medical teams, and substance abuse programs, who benefit from training and collaboration.
- End Beneficiaries: Children and youth exposed to trauma, along with their families, who may receive more timely and coordinated support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing federal grant authority under the Omnibus Act without creating new mandates, allowing flexibility for grantees while requiring accountability through applications. It promotes evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in public services.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to fund social welfare programs; no apparent conflicts with federalism, as it supports state and local efforts voluntarily.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan push (introduced by representatives from both parties) to address child trauma as a public health and justice issue, potentially influencing future funding for preventive social services amid growing awareness of ACEs' societal costs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (4 pages)