Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9287
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T14:11:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation establishes an independent Children's Commission and the position of Children's Commissioner to promote awareness of children's views and interests, advocate for child well-being in federal policies, review how agencies serve children, and provide a central point for complaints or suggestions on matters affecting children.
Key Provisions
- Commission Structure: Creates a 15-member Children's Commission appointed by the Comptroller General in consultation with the Board on Children, Youth, and Families at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Members must have expertise in child issues, include a mix of backgrounds (such as pediatricians, educators, and youth with lived experience), and maintain a majority of non-service providers. Terms are 3 years with staggered initial appointments.
- Children's Commissioner Role: Employs a Children's Commissioner as executive director for 5-year terms (up to 2 terms), responsible for operations, outreach to children, and public advocacy. Requires ethical disclosures for conflicts of interest.
- Duties: Includes promoting child well-being, receiving complaints about agencies, advising Congress and agencies, reviewing regulations, developing policy proposals, publishing reports (including child-friendly versions), studying the feasibility of child impact statements, and coordinating with state/local entities and international bodies.
- Powers: Allows hearings, direct requests for agency information, original research, amicus curiae appearances in court cases involving agency rules, and acceptance of gifts. The Commission is exempt from standard termination rules for advisory committees.
- Personnel and Funding: Authorizes staff appointments outside standard competitive service rules, with compensation limits. Provides $7.5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2034, available until spent.
- Considerations: Requires focus on physical/mental health, education, social/economic factors, and inequities impacting children, with emphasis on marginalized youth (defined as those aged 13+ facing barriers like foster care, homelessness, or discrimination).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new independent federal entity dedicated to children's issues, separate from existing agencies, with authority to comment on regulations and agency reports submitted to Congress.
- Requires agencies to transmit certain child-related reports to the Commission and allows the Commission to submit comments and recommendations.
- Establishes a formal mechanism for the Children's Commissioner to participate in federal court proceedings as amicus curiae.
- Mandates ethical and financial disclosure rules for Commission members and the Commissioner, modeled on existing federal standards.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Agencies must share information and reports, potentially facing additional review or comments on policies affecting children, which could influence regulatory actions.
- Citizens and Children: Provides a dedicated federal voice for children (including through direct outreach and child-accessible reports), potentially increasing civic participation and addressing systemic barriers for marginalized youth.
- International Relations: Enables collaboration with children's commissioners in other countries on shared issues.
- States and Localities: Facilitates information sharing with state, tribal, and local child ombudsmen, with data disaggregated by demographics where possible.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Children and marginalized youth (primary focus, including those in foster care, justice systems, or facing discrimination).
- Federal agencies and Congress (as subjects of review and advice).
- State, tribal, and local governments, along with schools and childcare providers.
- Nonprofit organizations, child advocates, and experts in child health, education, and trauma.
- The Comptroller General (responsible for appointments and audits).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Creates an independent commission with legislative-branch oversight via the Comptroller General, raising questions about separation of powers in policy advocacy.
- Includes provisions for amicus curiae participation, expanding the Commission's role in judicial review of agency actions.
- Requires public ethical disclosures and conflict-of-interest systems, enhancing transparency but adding administrative requirements.
- Emphasizes inclusion of children's perspectives in meetings and reports, which could influence future legislation on child well-being without altering existing constitutional frameworks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (22 pages)