GRACIE Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8245 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8245 To support State efforts to record all child welfare interviews. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 9, 2026 Mrs. Wagner (for herself, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Moore of Utah, and Mr. Owens) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To support State efforts to record all child welfare interviews. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Generate Recordings of All Child protective Interviews Everywhere Act'' or the ``GRACIE Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE INTERVIEW RECORDING GRANTS. (a) Grants.--The Associate Commissioner may award grants to States for the purpose of assisting State agencies responsible for conducting child welfare interviews in recording and retaining all child welfare interviews conducted by such State agencies. (b) Application.--A State seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Associate Commissioner at such time and in such manner as the Associate Commissioner may require. Such application shall include-- (1) the State's lead agency for the grant program and that agency's current requirements involving the recording and retention of child welfare interviews; (2) the challenges the State faces in developing, implementing, and monitoring requirements involving the recording and retention of child welfare interviews; and (3) a description of how the State plans to use funds for activities described in subsection (c). (c) Use of Funds.-- (1) In general.--Amounts received under a grant under this section shall be used exclusiv