Expressing support for designation of the month of February 2026 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1052
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-03T15:53:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1052) aims to express congressional support for designating February 2026 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." It highlights the prevalence and impacts of teen dating violence—a preventable public health issue—and encourages nationwide efforts to educate and prevent it through healthy relationship building.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes extensive background ("Whereas" clauses) citing data from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others, followed by a core "Resolved" section with four main directives:
- Supports the official designation of February 2026 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
- Encourages communities to empower teens in developing healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships for life.
- Recognizes the broad public health effects of teen dating violence, with a disproportionate impact on young women.
- Urges people across the U.S.—including youth, parents, schools, law enforcement, state and local officials, nonprofits, and other groups—to observe the month with programs and activities that raise awareness and promote prevention in communities.
The background details types of teen dating violence (physical, sexual, psychological, and stalking), the role of technology-facilitated abuse (e.g., cyberstalking, doxing), statistics on prevalence (e.g., nearly half of teens experience some violence), risk factors (e.g., poverty, weak community support), and successful prevention strategies (e.g., education programs like "Coaching Boys Into Men" and the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline). It also references related laws, such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and its reauthorizations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It builds on prior legislation like the SMART Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Act (part of VAWA updates) by reinforcing support for coordinated prevention programs, but it does not amend or enact new legal requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Could increase public awareness of teen dating violence, leading to more education in schools and communities, earlier intervention for victims, and reduced future incidents through healthy relationship programs. Teens experiencing violence are at higher risk for issues like suicide, so prevention may improve youth mental health.
- On government agencies: No direct mandates, but it may encourage federal agencies like the CDC to promote related initiatives; local and state officials might integrate awareness into public health efforts.
- On international relations: None, as this is a domestic awareness resolution focused on U.S. communities.
Overall, impacts are primarily symbolic and educational, fostering voluntary community action without enforceable obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Teens and youth: Primary focus, as victims and potential perpetrators; vulnerable to physical, sexual, psychological, and tech-based abuse.
- Young women: Disproportionately affected, with higher rates of sexual and physical violence reported.
- Parents and families: Encouraged to educate and support healthy relationships from middle school onward.
- Schools and educators: Key for implementing prevention programs and awareness activities.
- Communities and nonprofits: Including helplines (e.g., National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline) and groups running evidence-based programs; benefits all socioeconomic, racial, and gender groups.
- Law enforcement and officials: Called upon to participate in observation and prevention efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and requires no presidential approval; it simply expresses the House's view and cannot be challenged legally.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority to address public health and welfare under the General Welfare Clause, without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Serves as a bipartisan signal (introduced by members from both parties) of priority on youth safety and gender-based violence prevention, potentially influencing future funding or legislation on domestic violence. It underscores teen dating violence as a national crisis, linking it to broader issues like sexual assault and community health, but remains non-partisan and focused on awareness rather than policy overhaul.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-02-10: Submitted in House
- 2026-02-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for designation of the month of February 2026 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month". — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (5 pages)