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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7812 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7812
To Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a
grant program to support the establishment of a national, toll-free
telephone helpline to provide information and assistance to parents,
caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 22, 2024
Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Ms. Norton, Ms. Clarke of New
York, Mr. Allred, Ms. Chu, and Mr. Grijalva) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the
Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a
grant program to support the establishment of a national, toll-free
telephone helpline to provide information and assistance to parents,
caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.
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 ``National Parent and Youth Helpline
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) There are approximately 174,000,000 parents,
caregivers, and youth in the United States.
(2) Many parents, caregivers, and youth often do not have
immediate access to a caring and supportive person to help them
address various personal challenges.
(3) Parents, caregivers, and youth could benefit from an
effective helpline that fosters the strengths parents have,
which would improve family and peer relationships, as well as
community life and society overall.
(4) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services
will empower parents and caregivers to positively address child
development issues and help address child maltreatment, drug
and alcohol problems, mental health, and personal growth and
development.
(5) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services
are trauma-informed by reducing risk factors and increasing
protective factors with weekly, evidence-based mutual support
groups.
SEC. 3. GRANT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL PARENT AND YOUTH HELPLINE.
Title I of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C.
5101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 103 the following:
``SEC. 103A. GRANT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL PARENT AND YOUTH HELPLINE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award a grant to one nonprofit
entity to--
``(1) provide for the establishment and ongoing operation
of a national, toll-free telephone parent and youth helpline,
as described in subsection (d), to provide emotional support
and assistance to parents, caregivers, and youth to prevent
child abuse and strengthen families through calls, texts, and
live chats;
``(2) create and maintain a website with vital information
and resources for parents, caregivers, and youth to address a
broad spectrum of family issues related to emotional, social,
behavioral, and educational well-being; and
``(3) develop and implement comprehensive outreach
strategies to reach diverse parents, caregivers, and youth
nationwide.
``(b) Priority.--In awarding the grant under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to an entity--
``(1) with experience in operating a national parent and
youth helpline that provides emotional support to parents,
caregivers, and youth; and
``(2) that operates weekly, evidence-based mutual support
groups.
``(c) Duration.--The grant under this section may be awarded for a
period of not more than 5 years.
``(d) Helpline Activities.--The entity that receives the grant
under this section shall use the grant to establish and operate a 24-
hour, national, toll-free telephone helpline to provide (through calls,
texts, and live chats)--
``(1) emotional support and assistance to diverse parents,
caregivers, and youth (including lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) parents, caregivers, and youth)
who are facing personal challenges, including emotional
distress, substance abuse, peer relationships, and educational
concerns related to their well-being;
``(2) weekly, evidence-based mutual support groups
nationwide to build protective factors and strengthen families;
and
``(3) comprehensive outreach strategies to reach diverse
parents, caregivers, and youth nationwide, distribute
information and resources, and maintain a website.
``(e) Performance Reports.--The entity that receives the grant
under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require. Such performance report shall
include--
``(1) a description of the activities carried out with the
grant;
``(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such
activities; and
``(3) such additional information as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than three years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report addressing the implementation and effectiveness of the national
parent and youth helpline funded with the grant under this section.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authoirzed to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2025 through 2030.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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