Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4127
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-20T09:06:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 4127: Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act
Purpose
This legislation establishes a pilot program to combat technology-related abuse in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It aims to support victims by integrating technical expertise into victim services and providing education on technological abuse.
Key Provisions
- Definitions: Clarifies terms such as "Director" (head of the Office on Violence Against Women), "eligible consortium" (partnerships between higher education institutions or tech partners and domestic violence centers, with local government support), and "technological abuse" (referencing existing definitions from the Violence Against Women Act of 1994).
- Pilot Program: Authorizes the Director to award grants to eligible consortia for combating technological abuse. Up to 15 grants, each not exceeding $2,000,000, with a 5-year duration.
- Use of Funds: Grants may cover purchasing new devices for victims and other services to reduce abuse or assist survivors.
- Education Grant Program: Creates a separate program for grants to nonprofits and higher education institutions to develop training, curricula, and technical assistance on technological abuse, with a total cap of $20,000,000 over 5 years.
- Consultation and Reporting: Requires consultation with agencies like Health and Human Services, Education, and the Federal Communications Commission, plus stakeholder input. Mandates reports to Congress on program efficacy at 3 years and after termination.
- Appropriations: Authorizes necessary funding without specific amounts.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new grant mechanisms under the Office on Violence Against Women, building on the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 by expanding support for technological abuse. It does not amend core statutes but creates temporary pilot structures and education initiatives not previously codified in this form.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Involves coordination among the Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, Education Department, and Federal Communications Commission for program setup and oversight.
- Citizens: Provides direct assistance to victims through device support and services, potentially improving safety for those experiencing tech-enabled harassment or monitoring.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Victims and survivors of intimate partner violence involving technology.
- Domestic violence and sexual violence service providers.
- Institutions of higher education and technology partners.
- Nonprofit organizations focused on victim support.
- Federal agencies responsible for violence prevention and education.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill presents no apparent constitutional concerns, as it focuses on grant administration within existing federal authority. Legally, it relies on established definitions from prior violence-against-women laws. Politically, it reflects a collaborative approach across agencies and sectors to address emerging tech challenges in victim support.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-06-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (9 pages)