[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8156 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8156
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 27, 2026
Mrs. Torres of California introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and 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
an immediate connection to someone who can offer trusted
guidance when facing personal challenges.
(3) Parents, caregivers, and youth could benefit from an
effective helpline that fosters the strengths parents have,
which would improve family relationships, as well as community
life and society overall to foster the future for American
children and families.
(4) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services
will support parents and caregivers in positively addressing
child development concerns and responding to child
maltreatment, substance misuse, and other personal and family
challenges.
(5) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services
promote safety and stability by reducing harmful influences and
encouraging protective behaviors through weekly, trusted, and
stable engagement programs.
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 personal guidance
and trusted 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 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 guidance and 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--
``(1) to establish and operate a 24-hour, national, toll-
free telephone helpline to provide (through calls, texts, and
live chats)--
``(A) emotional support and assistance to parents,
caregivers, children, and youth of all ages who are
facing personal challenges, including emotional
distress, substance abuse, peer relationships, and
educational concerns related to their well-being; and
``(B) weekly, trusted mutual support groups held
across the country to promote family stability and
encourage skills that help strengthen households; and
``(2) to carry out activities in support of the helpline,
including--
``(A) implementing comprehensive outreach
strategies to reach parents, caregivers, and youth
nationwide;
``(B) distributing relevant information and
resources to parents, caregivers, and youth; and
``(C) maintaining a website to provide information
about the helpline.
``(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 section, 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 authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
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