GRACIE Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8245
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:10:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes a federal grant program to help states record and retain all child welfare interviews conducted by state agencies, aiming to improve documentation and accountability in investigations of child abuse, neglect, or related crimes.
Key Provisions
- Grants: The Associate Commissioner of the Children's Bureau at the Department of Health and Human Services may award grants to states for costs tied to recording and keeping these interviews.
- Application: States must describe their current recording rules, challenges in implementation, and planned use of funds.
- Use of Funds: Grants cover expenses for recording all interviews (including initial family assessments where possible) and retaining them for at least 5 years using audio, video, or similar methods.
- State Requirements: Recipients must adopt rules mandating recordings and secure 5-year storage, with limits on release (mainly to government agencies for investigations or to caregivers/guardians in court cases unless a court orders otherwise), penalties for violations, and secure access controls.
- Accountability: States must keep records for audits, and the Associate Commissioner can access relevant documents.
- Funding: Up to $30 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, drawn from existing funds under subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new grant program under the Children's Bureau, requiring participating states to implement specific recording and retention policies that were not previously mandated at the federal level. It ties funding to compliance with these standards, including defined access protocols and penalties.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Child welfare agencies in participating states would face new operational costs and requirements for recording equipment, storage systems, and access management.
- On citizens: Families and caregivers involved in investigations could gain greater access to interview records during judicial proceedings, potentially affecting privacy and transparency.
- On international relations: No direct effects, as the program applies only to U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State child welfare agencies and lead agencies responsible for investigations.
- Children, parents, caregivers, and guardians involved in child welfare cases.
- The Associate Commissioner and the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Courts and law enforcement agencies that may access or use the recordings.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill emphasizes secure storage and controlled release of recordings to balance investigative needs with protections for families, including court-ordered access for caregivers. It introduces penalties for improper disclosure and requires states to maintain audit-ready records, which could raise issues around due process and data privacy in child welfare proceedings.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Generate Recordings of All Child protective Interviews Everywhere Act — issued 2026-04-09 — PDF (6 pages)