Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7333
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:51Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 7333: Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation amends the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to enhance services and interventions for victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. It emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally relevant support for victims and their children/dependents, while advancing primary prevention (stopping violence before it starts) and secondary prevention (early intervention to reduce harm). The bill also promotes equitable access for underserved groups, strengthens Tribal sovereignty in responses, and expands hotlines and technical assistance.
Key Provisions
- Updated Purpose and Definitions (Secs. 101-102): Revises FVPSA's purpose to focus on accessible services, Tribal capacity-building, technical assistance networks, coalition support, hotlines, and evidence-based prevention. Expands definitions to include "dating partner" and "dating violence" (acts of violence or abuse in romantic relationships), "digital services" (online support via phones, internet, or emerging tech in accessible formats), "disability" (per the Americans with Disabilities Act), and a broader "family violence" (encompassing physical, sexual, stalking, harassment, psychological, economic, and technological abuse against family, partners, or cohabitants). Adds terms like "Tribal Domestic Violence Coalition," "underserved racial or ethnic population," and "youth."
- Grant Conditions (Sec. 103): Prohibits discrimination in funded programs based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age (aligning with civil rights laws; exceptions for sex-segregated services allowed). Mandates confidentiality of victim information (with limited oversight exceptions). Bans income eligibility tests or fees for services. Requires federal funds to supplement, not replace, existing public funds.
- Funding Authorizations (Sec. 104): Authorizes $270 million annually for FY 2027-2031 for core FVPSA programs (with reservations: 12.5% for Tribes, 70% for state formula grants, and allocations for technical assistance, coalitions, specialized services, and administration). Additional funds: $20.5 million for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, $4 million for a new National Indian Hotline, $26 million for prevention leadership, $10 million for underserved populations, and $3.5 million for evaluations. An extra $5 million for culturally specific services.
- Secretary's Authority and Allocations (Secs. 105-106): Expands the Health and Human Services Secretary's powers to award grants to nonprofits, universities, and for disaster/emergency responses (waiving match requirements if needed). Sets state allotments at a $600,000 minimum plus population-based shares.
- State and Tribal Grants (Secs. 107-110): Formula grants to states/Territories for shelters, counseling, and prevention (up to 5% administrative costs; match waivable for hardship). Subgrants prioritize community-based nonprofits. Tribal grants support culturally relevant services. Applications require plans for underserved groups, trauma-informed care, and coordination.
- Resource Centers and Coalitions (Secs. 111-113): Funds 11 national centers (adding Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian ones) for training on policy, health, mental health, disabilities, and LGBTQ+ issues. State/Tribal coalitions receive grants for advocacy, needs assessments, and collaboration. New grants for Tribal coalitions to build local responses, including judicial training and public education.
- Specialized and Hotline Programs (Secs. 114-116): Grants for programs serving abused parents/children/youth (3-year terms; focuses on trauma-informed services and prevention). Enhances the National Domestic Violence Hotline with digital services, healthy relationship info, and accessibility for disabilities/limited English. Establishes a National Indian Hotline for culturally appropriate support informed by Tribal laws.
- New Grants for Underserved and Culturally Specific Services (Secs. 117):
- Underserved Populations (Sec. 313B): Planning/implementation grants (up to 5 years) for community-driven strategies targeting barriers for racial/ethnic, Tribal, disabled, or other underserved groups (e.g., needs assessments, partnerships, evaluations).
- Culturally Specific Services (Sec. 313C): 3-5 year grants to nonprofits for innovative programs enhancing access, leadership, and partnerships (e.g., with health/schools; up to 5% for technical assistance).
- Prevention Enhancement (Sec. 118): Funds coalitions and communities for evidence-based prevention models (e.g., scaling promising programs; up to 5 years). Includes community councils with diverse sectors (health, education, justice).
- Teen Dating Violence (Title II, Sec. 201): Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize $10 million annually (FY 2027-2031) for demonstration projects on teen dating violence awareness, education, and prevention.
- Severability (Title III, Sec. 301): Ensures that if any part is ruled unconstitutional, the rest remains effective.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expanded Scope: Integrates dating violence fully into FVPSA (previously limited); adds digital services to hotlines and broadens "family violence" to include technological/economic abuse.
- Equity Focus: Introduces dedicated funding streams for Tribal coalitions (new Sec. 311A), underserved populations (new Sec. 313B), and culturally specific services (new Sec. 313C); prioritizes Native Hawaiian/Alaska Native centers.
- Funding Increases: Replaces prior authorizations with higher amounts (e.g., core FVPSA from varying levels to $270 million/year); adds evaluations and flexibilities for emergencies.
- Protections: Codifies anti-discrimination and confidentiality rules (new Sec. 302A); removes income barriers and supplantation rules.
- Structural Updates: Streamlines applications, extends grant terms (e.g., 3 years for specialized services), and mandates trauma-informed, culturally relevant standards.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative burdens on HHS for grant management, evaluations, and technical assistance; provides tools for states/Tribes to coordinate responses during disasters/public health emergencies. No direct international effects, but strengthens U.S. domestic violence infrastructure.
- Citizens: Improves access to free, confidential, trauma-informed services (shelters, counseling, hotlines) for victims, especially youth, children, disabled individuals, and underserved racial/ethnic/Tribal groups; promotes prevention to reduce violence incidence.
- Overall: Could enhance victim safety, family stability, and community prevention efforts, potentially lowering long-term costs for health, justice, and social services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Victims and Families: Adults, youth, children/dependents experiencing family/domestic/dating violence, particularly underserved racial/ethnic populations, Tribal/Native Hawaiian/Alaska Native communities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Service Providers: Nonprofits, shelters, coalitions (state/Tribal), hotlines, and community organizations delivering culturally specific, trauma-informed support.
- Governments and Tribes: States/Territories (via formula grants), Indian Tribes (sovereign responses and dedicated funding), and federal agencies (HHS for oversight; DOJ/others for coordination).
- Other: Educators, health providers, justice systems, and faith-based/youth organizations partnering in prevention.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) definitions and civil rights laws (e.g., enforces nondiscrimination via Civil Rights Act mechanisms; preserves victim confidentiality under federal privacy standards). Promotes Tribal sovereignty by funding culturally relevant Tribal programs without overriding local laws.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; enhances equal protection by targeting underserved groups and prohibiting discrimination, while allowing limited sex-segregated services (consistent with prior VAWA precedents). Severability clause protects the law's core.
- Political: Advances bipartisan goals of violence prevention and equity (introduced by cross-party sponsors); emphasizes evidence-based, community-led approaches, potentially influencing state policies and federal reauthorizations. May spur broader public health integration (e.g., mental health, youth education) without mandating controversial changes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (44)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-03: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-03 — PDF (99 pages)