Congressional Record, Volume 167 Issue 188 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)

[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 188 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5885-H5908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2021

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution
716, I call up the bill (H.R. 2119) to amend the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act to make improvements, and ask for its
immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, in lieu of
the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the
Committee on Education and Labor, printed in the bill, an amendment in
the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee
Print 117-15, modified by the amendment printed in part A of House
Report 117-137 is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered read.
The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

H.R. 2119

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES; SEVERABILITY.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021''.
(b) References.--Except as otherwise specified, amendments
made by this Act to a section or other provision of law are
amendments to such section or other provision of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et
seq.).
(c) Severability.--If any provision of this Act, an
amendment made by this Act, or the application of such
provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held
to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the
amendments made by this Act, and the application of such
provision or amendment to any person or circumstance shall
not be affected thereby.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

Subsection (b) of section 301 (42 U.S.C. 10401) is amended
to read as follows:
``(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to improve
services and interventions for victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, and family violence, and to advance primary
and secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence by--
``(1) assisting States and territories in supporting local
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
programs to provide accessible, trauma-informed, culturally
relevant residential and non-residential services to domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence victims and
their children and dependents;
``(2) strengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to
exercise their sovereign authority to respond to domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence committed
against Indians;
``(3) providing for a network of technical assistance and
training centers to support effective policy, practice,
research, and cross-system collaboration to improve
intervention and prevention efforts throughout the country;
``(4) supporting the efforts of State, territorial, and
Tribal coalitions to document and address the needs of
victims and their children and dependents, including victims
and their children and dependents who are underserved,
implement effective coordinated community and systems
responses, and promote ongoing public education and community
engagement;
``(5) maintaining national domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence hotlines, including a national
Indian domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence hotline; and
``(6) supporting the development and implementation of
evidence-informed, coalition-led, and community-based primary
prevention approaches and programs.''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

Section 302 (42 U.S.C. 10402) is amended to read as
follows:

``SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

``In this title:
``(1) Alaska native.--The term `Alaska Native' has the
meaning given the term Native in section 3 of the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).
``(2) Child.--The term `child' means an individual who is--
``(A) younger than age 18; and
``(B) not an emancipated minor.
``(3) Dating partner.--
``(A) In general.--The term `dating partner' means any
person who is or has been in a social

[[Page H5886]]

relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with an abuser,
and where the existence of such a relationship shall be
determined based on a consideration of one or more of the
following factors:
``(i) The length of the relationship.
``(ii) The type of the relationship.
``(iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons
involved in the relationship.
``(iv) The cultural context of the relationship.
``(B) Construction.--Sexual contact is not a necessary
component of a relationship described in subparagraph (A).
``(4) Digital services.--The term `digital services' means
services, resources, information, support, or referrals
provided through electronic communications platforms and
media, which may include mobile phone technology, video
technology, computer technology (including use of the
internet), and any other emerging communications technologies
that are appropriate for the purposes of providing services,
resources, information, support, or referrals for the benefit
of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence.
``(5) Domestic violence, dating violence, family
violence.--The terms `domestic violence', `dating violence',
and `family violence' mean any act, threatened act, or
pattern of acts of physical or sexual violence, stalking,
harassment, psychological abuse, economic abuse,
technological abuse, or any other form of abuse, including
threatening to commit harm against children or dependents or
other members of the household of the recipient of the threat
for the purpose of coercion, threatening, or causing harm,
directed against--
``(A) a dating partner or other person similarly situated
to a dating partner under the laws of the jurisdiction;
``(B) a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated
with the person committing such an act;
``(C) a current or former spouse or other person similarly
situated to a spouse under the laws of the jurisdiction;
``(D) a person who shares a child or dependent in common
with the person committing such an act;
``(E) a person who is related by marriage, blood, or is
otherwise legally related; or
``(F) any other person who is protected from any such act
under the domestic or family violence laws, policies, or
regulations of the jurisdiction.
``(6) Economic abuse.--The term `economic abuse', when used
in the context of domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence, means behavior that is coercive or deceptive
related to a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain
economic resources to which they are entitled, or that
unreasonably controls or restrains a person's ability to
acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they
are entitled. This includes using coercion, fraud, or
manipulation to--
``(A) restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit,
or financial information;
``(B) unfairly use a person's personal economic resources,
including money, assets, and credit, for one's own advantage;
or
``(C) exert undue influence over a person's financial and
economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on
joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of
attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or
neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom
one has a fiduciary duty.
``(7) Indian; indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms
`Indian', `Indian Tribe', and `Tribal organization' have the
meanings given the terms `Indian', `Indian tribe', and
`tribal organization', respectively, in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304).
``(8) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
``(9) Native hawaiian.--The term `Native Hawaiian' has the
meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965.
``(10) Personally identifying information.--The term
`personally identifying information' has the meaning given
the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women
Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).
``(11) Population specific services.--The term `population
specific services' has the meaning given such term in section
40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C.
12291(a)).
``(12) Racial and ethnic minority group; racial and ethnic
minority population.--The terms `racial and ethnic minority
group' and `racial and ethnic minority population' include
each group listed in the definition of such term in section
1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-
6(g)).
``(13) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
``(14) Shelter.--The term `shelter' means the provision of
temporary refuge and basic necessities, in conjunction with
supportive services, provided on a regular basis, in
compliance with applicable State, Tribal, territorial, or
local law to victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
or family violence and their children and dependents. Such
law includes regulations governing the provision of safe
homes and other forms of secure temporary lodging, meals,
other basic necessities, or supportive services to victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence and
their children and dependents.
``(15) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and, except as otherwise provided, Guam, American
Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands.
``(16) State domestic violence coalition.--The term `State
Domestic Violence Coalition' means a statewide
nongovernmental nonprofit private domestic violence, dating
violence, and family organization designated by the Secretary
that--
``(A) has a membership that includes a majority of the
primary-purpose domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence service providers in the State;
``(B) has board membership that is representative of
primary-purpose domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence service providers, and which may include
representatives of the communities in which the services are
being provided in the State;
``(C) has as its purpose to provide education, support, and
technical assistance to such service providers to enable the
providers to establish and maintain shelter and supportive
services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence and their children and dependents; and
``(D) serves as an information clearinghouse, primary point
of contact, and resource center on domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence for the State and supports the
development of polices, protocols, and procedures to enhance
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
intervention and prevention in the State.
``(17) Supportive services.--The term `supportive services'
means services for adult and youth victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, or family violence, and children
and dependents exposed to domestic violence, dating violence,
or family violence, that are designed to--
``(A) meet the needs of such victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, or family violence, and their children and
dependents, for short-term, transitional, or long-term
safety; and
``(B) provide counseling, advocacy, or assistance for
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or family
violence, and their children and dependents.
``(18) Technological abuse.--The term `technological abuse'
means an act or pattern of behavior that--
``(A) occurs within domestic violence, dating violence, or
family violence;
``(B) is intended to harm, threaten, intimidate, control,
stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor,
except as otherwise permitted by law, another person; and
``(C) uses any form of information technology, including
any of the following:
``(i) Internet-enabled devices.
``(ii) Online spaces or platforms.
``(iii) Computers, mobile devices, or software
applications.
``(iv) Location tracking devices.
``(v) Communication technologies.
``(vi) Cameras or imaging platforms.
``(vii) Any other emerging technology.
``(19) Tribal domestic violence coalition.--The term
`Tribal domestic violence coalition' means an established
nonprofit, nongovernmental Indian organization recognized by
the Office of Violence Against Women at the Department of
Justice that--
``(A) provides education, support, and technical assistance
to member Indian service providers in a manner that enables
the member providers to establish and maintain culturally
appropriate services, including shelter (including supportive
services) designed to assist Indian victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, or family violence and the
children and dependents of such victims; and
``(B) is comprised of members that are representative of--
``(i) the member service providers described in
subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the Tribal communities in which the services are
being provided.
``(20) Tribally designated official.--The term `Tribally
designated official' means an individual designated by an
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or nonprofit private
organization authorized by an Indian Tribe, to administer a
grant under section 309.
``(21) Underserved populations; underserved individuals.--
The terms `underserved populations' and `underserved
individuals' mean victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence, and their children and
dependents who face obstacles in accessing and using State,
Tribal, territorial, or local domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence services, or who may be
overrepresented in experiencing domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence due to historical barriers.
Populations may be underserved on the basis of, marginalized
racial and ethnic minority populations, Indigenous status,
cultural and language barriers, immigration status,
disabilities, mental health needs, sexual orientation or
gender identity, age (including both elders and children),
geographical location, faith or religious practice or lack
thereof, or other bases, as determined by the Secretary.
``(22) Victim.--The term `victim' means an individual
against whom an act of domestic violence, dating violence, or
family violence is carried out.
``(23) Youth.--The term `youth' has the meaning given the
term in section 4002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act (34
U.S.C. 12291(a)(45)).''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 303 (42 U.S.C. 10403) is amended to read as
follows:

``SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

``(a) Authorization.--
``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out sections 301 through 312 and 316, $270,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``(2) Reservations for grants to tribes.--Of the amounts
appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, 12.5
percent shall be reserved and used to carry out section 309.

[[Page H5887]]

``(3) Formula grants to states.--Of the amounts
appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year and not
reserved under paragraph (2) (referred to in this subsection
as the `remainder'), not less than 70 percent shall be used
for making grants under section 306(a).
``(4) Technical assistance and training centers.--Of the
remainder, not less than 6 percent shall be used to carry out
section 310.
``(5) Grants for state and tribal domestic violence
coalitions.--Of the remainder--
``(A) not less than 10 percent shall be used to carry out
section 311; and
``(B) not less than 3 percent shall be used to carry out
section 311A.
``(6) Specialized services.--Of the remainder, not less
than 5 percent shall be used to carry out section 312.
``(7) Culturally specific services.--Of the remainder, not
less 2.5 percent shall be used to carry out section 316.
``(8) Administration, evaluation, and monitoring.--Of the
remainder, not more than 3.5 percent shall be used by the
Secretary for evaluation, monitoring, and other
administrative costs under this title.
``(b) National Domestic Violence Hotline.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 313
$14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``(c) National Indian Domestic Violence Hotline.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 313A
$4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``(d) Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and
Leadership Through Alliances.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out section 314 $26,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``(e) Grants for Underserved Populations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 315
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``(f) Research and Evaluation.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for research and evaluation of activities under
this title $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through
2026.''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.

Section 304 (42 U.S.C. 10404) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or institutions of
higher education, including to support and evaluate
demonstration or discretionary projects in response to
current and emerging issues,'' after ``nongovernmental
entities''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``CAPTA Reauthorization
Act of 2010'' and inserting ``Family Violence Prevention and
Services Improvement Act of 2021'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``have expertise in the
field of family violence and domestic violence prevention and
services and, to the extent practicable, have expertise in
the field of dating violence;'' and inserting ``have
expertise in the field of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence prevention and services;'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``prevention and
treatment of'' and inserting ``prevention of, intervention
in, and treatment of,''; and
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon; and
(ii) by adding after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) making grants to eligible entities or entering into
contracts with for-profit or nonprofit nongovernmental
entities or institutions of higher education to conduct
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
research or evaluation; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Emergency Authority.--
``(1) In general.--In response to any emergency or disaster
described in paragraph (3), that substantially disrupts the
provision of services under this title for the duration of
the emergency or disaster, the Secretary may--
``(A) modify or broaden the allowable uses of funds by
grantees and subgrantees solely to ensure the continuity of
services authorized under this title, including for remote
and mobile service delivery; and
``(B) modify or waive any administrative conditions,
processes, or deadlines, including with respect to--
``(i) application requirements;
``(ii) reporting requirements; and
``(iii) grant award extensions.
``(2) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to allow altering or waiving the requirements in
section 306(c)(2).
``(3) Emergencies described.--The emergencies and disasters
described in this paragraph are the following:
``(A) A major disaster declared by the President under
section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
``(B) An emergency declared by the President under section
501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191).
``(C) A public health emergency determined by the Secretary
of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 319 of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d).''.

SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

Section 305 (42 U.S.C. 10405) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--From the sums appropriated under section
303 and available for grants to States under section 306(a)
for any fiscal year, each State shall be allotted for a grant
under section 306(a), $600,000, with the remaining funds to
be allotted to each State (other than Guam, American Samoa,
the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands) in an amount that bears the same
ratio to such remaining funds as the population of such State
bears to the population of all such States (excluding Guam,
American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).'';
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``under section 314''
each place such term appears and inserting ``under this
title''; and
(3) by striking subsection (f).

SEC. 7. FORMULA GRANTS TO STATES.

Section 306 (42 U.S.C. 10406) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``dependents'' and
inserting ``children and dependents''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``Indians, members of
Indian Tribes, or'' after ``who are'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) Application of civil rights provisions.--Programs and
activities funded in whole or in part with funds made
available under this title are considered to be programs and
activities receiving Federal financial assistance for the
purpose of applying the prohibitions against discrimination
under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et
seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 794), title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20
U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 40002(b)(13)(A) of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(13)(A)), and
title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et
seq.).'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i)--

(I) by inserting ``, including sexual orientation or gender
identity,'' after ``on the ground of sex''; and
(II) by striking the second sentence and inserting the
following: ``If sex-segregated or sex-specific programming is
necessary to the essential operation of a program, nothing in
this paragraph shall prevent any such program or activity
from being provided in a sex-specific manner. In such
circumstances, grantees may meet the requirements of this
paragraph by providing comparable services to individuals who
cannot be provided with the sex-segregated or sex-specific
programming.'';

(iii) in subparagraph (C)--

(I) by striking ``Indian tribe'' and inserting ``Indian
Tribe''; and
(II) by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally'';
and

(iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``Indian tribe'' and
inserting ``Indian Tribe'';
(B) by striking paragraph (4);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively;
(D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by adding at the end the
following: ``The nondisclosure of confidential or private
information requirements under section 40002(b)(2) of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(2))
shall apply to grantees and subgrantees under this title in
the same manner such requirements apply to grantees and
subgrantees under such Act.'';
(ii) in subparagraph (G)(i), by striking ``tribal'' and
inserting ``Tribal'';
(iii) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F); and
(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (G), and (H) as
subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively; and
(E) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``Indian tribe'' and inserting ``Indian
Tribe''; and
(ii) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; and
(3) in subsection (d) by inserting ``and information on the
development and implementation of barrier removal plans to
ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 794)'' after ``activities,''.

SEC. 8. STATE APPLICATION.

Section 307 (42 U.S.C. 10407) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally'';
and
(ii) by adding ``For purposes of section 2007(c)(3) of the
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, a State's
application under this paragraph shall be deemed to be a
`State plan'.'' at the end; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``assurances'' and inserting ``certifications''; and
(II) in clause (iii)--

(aa) in subclause (I)--
(AA) by striking ``operation of shelters'' and inserting
``provision of shelter''; and
(BB) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children
and dependents''; and
(bb) in subclause (II), by striking ``dependents'' and
inserting ``children and dependents'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``an assurance'' and
inserting ``a certification'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D)--

(I) by striking ``an assurance'' and inserting ``a
certification'';
(II) by striking ``planning and monitoring'' and inserting
``planning, coordination, and monitoring''; and
(III) by striking ``and the administration of the grant
programs and projects'' and inserting ``, the administration
of the grant programs and projects, and the establishment of
service standards and best practices for grantees'';

(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``to underserved
populations'' and all that follows through the semicolon and
inserting ``for individuals from racial and ethnic minority
groups, Tribal populations, and other underserved
populations, in the State planning process, and

[[Page H5888]]

how the State plan addresses the unmet needs of such
populations, including a certification and description of how
the State or Indian Tribe will disseminate information about
the national resource centers authorized under section
310;'';
(v) in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G), by striking
``Indian tribe'' each place such term appears and inserting
``Indian Tribe'';
(vi) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``tribally'' and
inserting ``Tribally'';
(vii) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) and (I) as
subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively;
(viii) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
``(H) describe how activities and services provided by the
State or Indian Tribe are designed to promote trauma-informed
care, autonomy, and privacy for victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, and family violence, and their children and
dependents, including in the design and delivery of shelter
services;'';
(ix) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated--

(I) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe'';
(II) by striking ``an assurance'' and inserting ``a
certification'';
(III) by inserting ``, remove, or exclude'' after ``bar'';
and
(IV) by striking ``and'' at the end;

(x) in subparagraph (J), as so redesignated, by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(xi) by adding at the end the following:
``(K) provide a certification that all funded entities
demonstrate the ability to provide services for Deaf
individuals and individuals with disabilities in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``tribe'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``Tribe''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Indian tribes'' each
place such term appears and inserting ``Indian Tribes''.

SEC. 9. SUBGRANTS AND USES OF FUNDS.

Section 308 (42 U.S.C. 10408) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``that is designed'' and inserting ``that
are designed''; and
(B) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and
dependents'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(I) by striking ``shelter, supportive services, or
prevention services'' and inserting ``shelter or supportive
services'';
(II) by inserting ``or prevention services'' after
``dependents,''; and
(III) by striking ``include--'' and inserting ``include
making material improvements in the accessibility of physical
structures, transportation, communication, or digital
services, as well as--'';

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``developing safety
plans'' and inserting ``safety planning'';
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``for racial and
ethnic minority groups'' before the semicolon;
(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (H) as
subparagraphs (G) through (I), respectively;
(v) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) provision of shelter and services to underserved
populations;'';
(vi) in subparagraph (H), as so redesignated--

(I) in clause (i), by striking ``Federal and State'' and
inserting ``Federal, State, and local'';
(II) in clause (iii), by striking ``mental health, alcohol,
and drug abuse treatment), but which shall not include
reimbursement for any health care services'' and inserting
``mental health and substance use disorder treatment)'';
(III) in clause (v), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(IV) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii);
(V) by inserting after clause (v) the following:

``(vi) language assistance, including translation of
written materials and telephonic and in-person interpreter
services, for victims with limited English proficiency,
victims who are Deaf or hard of hearing, victims with sensory
disabilities (including individuals who are blind or low
vision), victims with speech-related disabilities, and
victims with other disabilities; and''; and

(VI) in clause (vii), as so redesignated, by striking
``and'' at the end;

(vii) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated, by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(viii) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) partnerships that enhance the design and delivery of
services to victims and their children and dependents.'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``supportive services and prevention
services'' and inserting ``supportive services or prevention
services''; and
(ii) by striking ``through (H)'' and inserting ``through
(I)'';
(C) by striking ``dependents'' each place such term appears
(other than in paragraph (1)(J)) and inserting ``children and
dependents''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Sense of congress regarding use of funds for removal
of architectural barriers to accessibility.--It is the sense
of the Congress that--
``(A) Deaf individuals and individuals with disabilities
experience domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence at disproportionate rates;
``(B) domestic violence shelters are often not equipped to
provide effective services to Deaf individuals and
individuals with disabilities, which can act as an impediment
to victims seeking and receiving services; and
``(C) the Secretary should allow subgrant funds received
under this section to be used for making material
improvements in the accessibility of physical structures,
transportation, communication, or digital services.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``a local public agency, or''; and
(ii) by striking ``tribal organizations, and voluntary
associations),'' and inserting ``Tribal organizations and
voluntary associations) or a local public agency''; and
(iii) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children
and dependents''; and
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) an organization whose primary purpose is to provide
culturally appropriate services to racial and ethnic minority
groups, Tribal communities, or other underserved populations,
that does not have a documented history of effective work
concerning domestic violence, dating violence, or family
violence, but that is in partnership with an organization
described in paragraph (1).''; and
(4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Voluntarily Accepted Services.--Participation in
services under this title shall be voluntary. Receipt of the
benefits of shelter described in subsection (b)(1)(A) shall
not be conditioned upon the participation of the adult or
youth, or their children or dependents, in any or all of the
services offered under this title.''.

SEC. 10. GRANTS FOR INDIAN TRIBES.

Section 309 (42 U.S.C. 10409) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``42 U.S.C. 14045d'' and inserting ``34
U.S.C. 20126'';
(B) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal'';
(C) by striking ``Indian tribes'' and inserting ``Indian
Tribes''; and
(D) by striking ``section 303(a)(2)(B)'' and inserting
``section 303 and made available''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Indian tribe'' each place such term
appears and inserting ``Indian Tribe''; and
(B) by striking ``tribal organization'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``Tribal organization''.

SEC. 11. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS AND TRAINING AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE CENTERS.

Section 310 (42 U.S.C. 10410) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``under this title and reserved under section 303(a)(2)(C)''
and inserting ``under section 303 and made available to carry
out this section'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(ii) in clause (ii)--

(I) by striking ``7'' and inserting ``10''; and
(II) by inserting ``dating violence, and family violence,''
after ``domestic violence,''; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) an Alaska Native Tribal resource center on domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence, to reduce
disparities in the rate of such violence within the Alaska
Native population; and''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``grants, to'' and inserting ``grants to entities that focus
on other critical issues, such as'';
(ii) in clause (i)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family
violence,'' after ``domestic violence'';
(II) by striking ``(including Alaska Native)''; and
(III) by striking ``and'' at the end; and

(iii) by amending clause (ii) to read as follows:
``(ii) entities demonstrating expertise related to--

``(I) addressing the housing needs of domestic violence,
dating violence, and family violence victims and their
children and dependents;
``(II) developing leadership and advocacy skills among
individuals from underserved populations; or
``(III) addressing other emerging issues related to
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence.'';

(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) in clause (i)--

(aa) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family
violence'' after ``domestic violence'' each place such term
appears; and
(bb) by inserting ``and dependents'' after ``children'';
and

(II) in clause (ii)--

(aa) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting
``online'' after ``central'';
(bb) in subclause (I), by striking ``family violence and
domestic violence'' and inserting ``domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence''; and
(cc) in subclause (II), by inserting ``, dating violence,
and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in clause (i)--

(aa) by striking ``tribes and tribal organizations'' and
inserting ``Tribes and Tribal organizations'';
(bb) by striking ``the tribes'' and inserting ``the
Tribes'';
(cc) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family
violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and
(dd) by striking ``42'' and all the follows through
``3796gg-10 note'' and inserting ``34 U.S.C. 10452 note'';

[[Page H5889]]

(II) in clause (ii)--

(aa) by striking ``tribes and tribal organizations'' and
inserting ``Tribes and Tribal organizations''; and
(bb) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family
violence'' after ``domestic violence'';
(cc) by striking ``42'' and all that follows through
``3796gg-10 note'' and inserting ``34 U.S.C. 10452 note'';
and

(III) in clause (iii)--

(aa) by inserting ``dating violence, and family violence,''
after ``domestic violence,''; and
(bb) by inserting ``the Office for Victims of Crime and''
after ``Human Services, and'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(I) by striking ``State and local domestic violence service
providers'' and inserting ``support effective policy,
practice, research, and cross systems collaboration''; and
(II) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family
violence'' after ``enhancing domestic violence'';

(ii) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence''
after ``to domestic violence''; and
(II) by striking ``which may include the response to the
use of the self-defense plea by domestic violence victims and
the issuance and use of protective orders'' and inserting
``including the issuance and use of protective orders,
batterers' intervention programming, and responses to
charged, incarcerated, and re-entering domestic violence,
dating violence, and family violence victims'';

(iii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence''
after ``domestic violence'' each place such term appears; and
(II) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children'';

(iv) in subparagraph (C)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence''
after ``domestic violence'' the first place such term
appears; and
(II) by inserting ``, and the response of domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence programs and
other community organizations with respect to health advocacy
and addressing the health of victims'' before the period;

(v) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
``(D) The response of mental health, substance use disorder
treatment and recovery, domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence and related systems and programs to
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence and their children and dependents who experience
psychological trauma, mental health needs, or substance-use-
related needs.'';
(vi) in subparagraph (E); by inserting ``, dating violence,
and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' each place
such term appears; and
(vii) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) The response of the domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence programs and related systems to
victims who are underserved due to sexual orientation or
gender identity, including expanding the capacity of lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations to respond to
and prevent domestic violence.
``(G) Strengthening the organizational capacity of State,
territorial, and Tribal domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence coalitions and of State, territorial, and
Tribal administrators who distribute funds under this title
to community-based domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence programs, with the aim of better enabling
such coalitions and administrators--
``(i) to collaborate and respond effectively to domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence;
``(ii) to meet the conditions and carry out the provisions
of this title; and
``(iii) to implement best practices to meet the emerging
needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence and their families, children, and dependents.
``(H) The response of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence service providers to victims who are Deaf
and victims with disabilities, including expanding the
capacity of community-based organizations serving individuals
who are Deaf and individuals with disabilities to respond to,
and prevent, domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence.'';
(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Alaska native tribal resource center.--In accordance
with subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall award a grant to
an eligible entity for an Alaska Native Tribal resource
center on domestic violence to reduce Tribal disparities,
which shall--
``(A) offer a comprehensive array of technical assistance
and training resources to Indian Tribes and Tribal
organizations, specifically designed to enhance the capacity
of the Tribes and organizations to respond to domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence and the
findings of section 901 and purposes in section 902 of the
Violence Against Women and Department of Justice
Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 10452 note);
``(B) coordinate all projects and activities with the
national resource center described in paragraph (1)(B),
including projects and activities that involve working with
non-Tribal State and local governments to enhance their
capacity to understand the unique needs of Alaska Natives;
``(C) work with non-Tribal State and local governments and
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
service providers to enhance their capacity to understand the
unique needs of Alaska Natives;
``(D) provide comprehensive community education and
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
prevention initiatives in a culturally sensitive and relevant
manner; and
``(E) coordinate activities with other Federal agencies,
offices, and grantees that address the needs of Alaska
Natives that experience domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence, including the Office of Justice Services
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service,
and the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office on
Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice.''; and
(E) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i), by striking ``Indian
tribes, tribal organizations'' each place such term appears
and inserting ``Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A). by inserting ``, dating violence,
and family violence'' after ``domestic violence'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in clause (i), by striking ``the tribes'' and inserting
``the Tribes'';
(II) in clause (ii), by striking ``nontribal'' and
inserting ``non-Tribal''; and
(III) in clause (iii), by inserting ``, dating violence,
and family violence'' after ``domestic violence''; and

(iv) by striking ``(including Alaska Natives)'' each place
such term appears; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence''
after ``domestic violence''; and
(II) by striking ``or (D)'' and inserting ``(D), (F), or
(G)'';

(ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``dating violence,
and family violence,'' after ``domestic violence,''; and
(iii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
``(B) includes individuals with demonstrated experience
working in domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence programs, and, with respect to grantees described in
subsection (b)(2)(F), individuals with demonstrated expertise
in serving the targeted communities on the board of directors
(or advisory committee) and on the staff; and'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence''
after ``domestic violence'' each place such term appears;
(ii) by striking ``tribal organization'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``Tribal organization'';
(iii) by striking ``Indian tribes'' each place such term
appears and inserting ``Indian Tribes'';
(iv) by striking ``42'' and all that follows through
``3796gg-10 note'' each place such term appears and inserting
``34 U.S.C. 10452 note''; and
(v) by striking ``tribally'' and inserting ``Tribally'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family violence''
after ``domestic violence'' the first place such term
appears; and
(II) by inserting ``, dating violence, or family violence''
after ``domestic violence'' the second place such term
appears; and

(ii) in subparagraph (B)--

(I) in clause (i), by inserting ``, dating violence, and
family violence'' after ``domestic violence'' ; and
(II) in clause (ii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(III) in clause (iii), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(IV) by adding at the end the following:

``(iv) has a board of directors (or advisory committee) and
staff with demonstrated expertise in serving the targeted
community.'';
(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
(E) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Alaska native tribal resource center on domestic
violence.--To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection
(b)(3), an entity shall be a Tribal organization or a
nonprofit private organization that focuses primarily on
issues of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence within Tribes in Alaska that submits information to
the Secretary demonstrating--
``(A) experience working with Alaska Tribes and Tribal
organizations to respond to domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence and the findings of section 901
of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice
Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 34 U.S.C.
10452 note);
``(B) experience providing Alaska Tribes and Tribal
organizations with assistance in developing Tribally based
prevention and intervention services addressing domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence and safety for
Indian women consistent with the purposes of section 902 of
the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice
Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 34 U.S.C.
10452 note);
``(C) strong support for the entity's designation as the
Alaska Native Tribal resource center on domestic violence,
dating violence, and family violence from advocates working
with Alaska Tribes to address domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence and the safety of Alaska Native
women;
``(D) a record of demonstrated effectiveness in assisting
Alaska Tribes and Tribal organizations with prevention and
intervention services addressing domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence; and
``(E) the capacity to serve Tribes across the State of
Alaska.''; and
(F) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``(b)(3),'' and inserting ``(b)(4),''; and

[[Page H5890]]

(ii) in subparagraph (A)--

(I) in clause (i), by striking ``(including Alaska
Natives)''; and
(II) in clause (ii)--

(aa) by striking ``Indian tribe, tribal organization'' and
inserting ``Indian Tribe, Tribal organization''; and
(bb) by inserting ``, dating violence, and family
violence'' after ``domestic violence''.

SEC. 12. GRANTS TO STATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.

Section 311 (42 U.S.C. 10411) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``section
303(a)(2)(D)'' and inserting ``section 303 and made available
to carry out this section'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``shall include'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``, and evidence-informed prevention of,''
after ``comprehensive responses to''; and
(ii) by striking ``working with local'' and inserting
``shall include--
``(A) working with local'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively, and adjusting the
margins accordingly;
(D) in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1), as so
redesignated--
(i) by striking ``dependents'' and inserting ``children and
dependents''; and
(ii) by adding ``and'' after the semicolon; and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1),
as so redesignated, the following:
``(D) collaborating with Indian Tribes and Tribal
organizations (and corresponding Native Hawaiian groups or
communities) to address the needs of Indian (including Alaska
Native) and Native Hawaiian victims of domestic violence,
dating violence, or family violence, as applicable in the
State; and'';
(F) in paragraph (4), by striking ``collaborating with and
providing'' and inserting ``may include--
``(A) collaborating with and providing'';
(G) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2);
(H) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking
``health care, mental health'' and inserting ``health care
(including mental health and substance use disorder
treatment)'';
(I) in paragraph (6), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting
the margins accordingly;
(J) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (7) as
subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively, and adjusting
the margins accordingly;
(K) in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2), as
so redesignated, by striking ``child abuse is present;'' and
inserting ``there is a co-occurrence of child abuse; and'';
(L) by striking paragraph (8); and
(M) in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (2), as so
redesignated, by striking ``; and'' and inserting a period;
(3) by striking subsection (e);
(4) by redesignating subsections (f) through (h) as
subsections (e) through (g), respectively; and
(5) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking
``Indian tribes and tribal organizations'' and inserting
``Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations''.

SEC. 13. GRANTS TO TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C.
10401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 311 the
following:

``SEC. 311A. GRANTS TO TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.

``(a) Grants Authorized.--Beginning with fiscal year 2022,
out of amounts appropriated under section 303 and made
available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities in
accordance with this section.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an entity shall be a Tribal domestic
violence, dating violence, or family violence coalition that
is recognized by the Office on Violence Against Women of the
Department of Justice that provides services to Indian
Tribes.
``(c) Application.--Each Tribal domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence coalition desiring a grant under
this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary may require. The application submitted by the
coalition for the grant shall provide documentation of the
coalition's work, demonstrating that the coalition--
``(1) meets all the applicable requirements set forth in
this section; and
``(2) has the ability to conduct all activities described
in this section, as indicated by--
``(A) a documented experience in administering Federal
grants to conduct the activities described in subsection (d);
or
``(B) a documented history of activities to further the
purposes of this section set forth in subsection (d).
``(d) Use of Funds.--A Tribal domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence coalition eligible under
subsection (b) that receives a grant under this section may
use the grant funds for administration and operation to
further the purposes of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence intervention and prevention activities,
including--
``(1) working with local Tribal domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence service programs and providers
of direct services to encourage appropriate and comprehensive
responses to domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence against adults or youth within the Indian Tribes
served, including providing training and technical assistance
and conducting Tribal needs assessments;
``(2) participating in planning and monitoring the
distribution of subgrants and subgrant funds within the State
under section 308(a);
``(3) working in collaboration with Tribal service
providers and community-based organizations to address the
needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence, and their children and dependents;
``(4) collaborating with, and providing information to,
entities in such fields as housing, health care (including
mental health and substance use disorder treatment), social
welfare, education, and law enforcement to support the
development and implementation of effective policies;
``(5) supporting the development and implementation of
effective policies, protocols, and programs that address the
safety and support needs of adult and youth Tribal victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence;
``(6) encouraging appropriate responses to cases of
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence
against adults or youth, by working with Tribal, State, and
Federal judicial agencies and law enforcement agencies;
``(7) working with Tribal, State, and Federal judicial
agencies, including family law judges, criminal court judges,
child protective service agencies, and children's advocates
to develop appropriate responses to child custody and
visitation issues--
``(A) in cases of child exposure to domestic violence,
dating violence, or family violence; or
``(B) in cases in which--
``(i) domestic violence, dating violence, or family
violence is present; and
``(ii) child abuse is present;
``(8) providing information to the public about prevention
of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
within Indian Tribes;
``(9) assisting Indian Tribes' participation in, and
attendance of, Federal and State consultations on domestic
violence, dating violence, or family violence, including
consultations mandated by the Violence Against Women Act of
1994 (title IV of Public Law 103-322), the Victims of Crime
Act of 1984 (34 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), or this title; and
``(10) providing shelter or supportive services to Tribal
adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence, and their children and
dependents.
``(e) Reallocation.--If, at the end of the sixth month of
any fiscal year for which sums are appropriated under section
303 and made available to carry out this section, a portion
of the available amount has not been awarded to Tribal
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence
coalitions for grants under this section because of the
failure of such coalitions to meet the requirements for such
grants, then the Secretary shall award such portion, in equal
shares, to Tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or
family violence coalitions that meet such requirements.''.

SEC. 14. SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS AND THEIR
CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.

Section 312 (42 U.S.C. 10412) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``abused parents
and their children'' and inserting ``parents, caregivers and
children and youth who have been exposed to domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``family violence, domestic violence, and
dating violence service programs and community-based programs
to prevent future domestic violence by addressing, in an
appropriate manner, the needs of children'' and inserting
``domestic violence, dating violence, family violence, and
culturally specific community-based programs to serve
children and youth''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and to support the caregiving
capacity of adult victims or other caregivers'' before the
period; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``more than 2'' the first
place it appears and inserting ``less than 3'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by inserting ``or State domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence services'' after ``local'';
(B) by inserting ``a culturally specific organization,''
after ``associations),'';
(C) by striking ``tribal organization'' and inserting
``Tribal organization'';
(D) by inserting ``adult and child'' after ``serving''; and
(E) by striking ``and their children''; and
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) a description of how the entity will prioritize the
safety of, and confidentiality of information about adult and
child victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or
family violence;'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``developmentally
appropriate and age-appropriate services, and culturally and
linguistically appropriate services, to the victims and
children; and'' and inserting ``trauma-informed and age,
gender, developmentally, culturally, and linguistically
appropriate services to children and youth, and their
caregivers;'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``appropriate and
relevant to the unique needs of children exposed to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence.'' and
inserting ``relevant to the unique needs of children and
youth exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, or
family violence, including children and youth with
disabilities and children from underserved populations, and
address the parent's or caregiver's ongoing caregiving
capacity; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:

[[Page H5891]]

``(4) a description of prevention activities targeting
child and youth victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence.'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``community-based program described in subsection (a)'' and
inserting ``culturally specific, community-based program'';
(B) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(i) by striking ``victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence and their children'' and
inserting ``child and adult victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence, including children and
youth with disabilities and children and youth from
underserved populations''; and
(ii) by inserting ``or the health system'' before the
semicolon; and
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``mental'' and
inserting ``behavioral'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``community-based
organizations serving victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence or children exposed to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence'' and
inserting ``health, education, or other community-based
organizations serving adult and child victims of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``health,'' after
``transportation,''; and
(6) in subsection (e)--
(A) by inserting ``shall participate in an evaluation and''
after ``under this section''; and
(B) by striking ``contain an evaluation of'' and inserting
``information on''.

SEC. 15. NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.

Section 313 (42 U.S.C. 10413) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``telephone'' and inserting ``telephonic
and digital services'';
(B) by striking ``a hotline that provides'' and inserting
``a hotline and digital services that provide''; and
(C) by inserting before the period at the end of the second
sentence the following: ``, and who provide information about
healthy relationships for adults and youth'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``and digital services'' after ``hotline'';
(ii) in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking ``hotline
personnel'' each place such term appears and inserting
``advocacy personnel'';
(iii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``are able to
effectively operate any technological systems used by the
hotline'' and inserting ``or digital services are able to
effectively operate any technological systems used by the
hotline or provide any digital services, as applicable'';
(iv) in subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), by inserting ``and
digital services'' after ``hotline'' each place such term
appears;
(v) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``persons with hearing
impairments'' and inserting ``individuals who are Deaf or
hard of hearing, those with speech-related disabilities,
those with sensory disabilities (including those who are
blind or low vision), and individuals with other
disabilities, including training for hotline personnel to
support such access''; and
(vi) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``teen dating
violence hotline'' and inserting ``youth dating violence
hotline and other digital services and resources'';
(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, digital services,''
after ``hotline'';
(C) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
``(5) demonstrate the ability to--
``(A) provide information and referrals for individuals
contacting the hotline via telephonic or digital services;
``(B) directly connect callers or assist digital services
users in connecting to service providers; and
``(C) employ crisis interventions meeting the standards of
family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence
providers;'';
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as
paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and
(E) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) demonstrate the ability to provide information about
healthy relationships for adults and youth;'';
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the heading, by inserting ``and Digital Services''
after ``Hotline'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``telephone hotline'' and inserting
``telephonic hotline and digital services''; and
(ii) by striking ``assistance to adult'' and inserting
``for the benefit of adult''; and
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and an internet
service provider for the use of operating digital services''
before the semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, provide
counseling and referral services for callers on a 24-hour-a-
day basis, and directly connect callers'' and inserting ``and
digital services contracts, provide counseling, healthy
relationship information, and referral services for callers
and digital services users, on a 24-hour-a-day basis, and
directly connect callers and digital services users'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or digital
services users'' after ``callers'';
(iv) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``and digital
services'' after ``hotline'';
(v) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``underserved
populations'' and inserting ``racial and ethnic minority
groups, Tribal and underserved populations,''; and
(vi) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``teen dating
violence hotline'' and inserting ``hotline or digital
services''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Administration, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--Of
amounts made available to carry out this section, not more
than 4 percent may be used by the Secretary for evaluation,
monitoring, and other administrative costs under this
section.''.

SEC. 16. NATIONAL INDIAN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to increase
the availability of information and assistance to Indian
adult or youth victims of family violence, domestic violence,
or dating violence, family and household members of such
victim, and individuals affected by such victimization by
supporting a national, toll-free telephonic and digital
hotline to provide services that are--
(1) informed of Federal Indian law and Tribal laws
impacting Indian victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence;
(2) culturally appropriate to Indian adult and youth
victims; and
(3) developed in cooperation with victim services offered
by Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
(b) Grant Program.--The Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 313 the following:

``SEC. 313A. NATIONAL INDIAN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award a grant to a
Tribal organization or private, non-profit entity to maintain
the ongoing operation of a 24-hour, national, toll-free
telephonic and digital services hotline to provide
information and assistance to Indian adult and youth victims
of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence,
family and household members of such victims, and other
individuals affected by such victimization.
``(b) Term.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this
section for a period of not more than 5 years.
``(c) Conditions on Payment.--The provision of payments
under a grant awarded under this section shall be subject to
annual approval by the Secretary and subject to the
availability of appropriations for each fiscal year to make
the payments.
``(d) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be a Tribal organization or a
nonprofit private organization that focuses primarily on
issues of domestic violence as it relates to American Indians
and Alaska Natives, and submit an application to the
Secretary that shall--
``(1) contain such agreements, assurances, and information,
be in such form, and be submitted in such manner, as the
Secretary shall prescribe;
``(2) include a complete description of the applicant's
plan for the operation of a national Indian domestic violence
hotline and digital services, including descriptions of--
``(A) the training program for advocacy personnel relating
to the provision of culturally appropriate and legally
accurate services, information, resources and referrals for
Indian victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and
family violence;
``(B) the training program for advocacy personnel, relating
to technology requirements to ensure that all persons
affiliated with the hotline and digital services are able to
effectively operate any technological systems required to
provide the necessary services used by the hotline;
``(C) the qualifications of the applicant and the hiring
criteria and qualifications for advocacy personnel, to ensure
that hotline advocates and other personnel have demonstrated
knowledge of Indian legal, social, and cultural issues, to
ensure that the unique needs of Indian callers and users of
digital services are met;
``(D) the methods for the creation, maintenance, and
updating of a resource database of culturally appropriate
victim services and resources available from Indian Tribes
and Tribal organizations;
``(E) a plan for publicizing the availability of the
services from the national Indian hotline to Indian victims
of domestic violence and dating violence;
``(F) a plan for providing service to limited English
proficiency callers, including service through hotline and
digital services personnel who have limited English
proficiency;
``(G) a plan for facilitating access to the hotline and
digital services by individuals who are Deaf or hard of
hearing, individuals with speech-related disabilities,
individuals with sensory disabilities (including those who
are blind or low vision), and other individuals with
disabilities, including training for hotline personnel to
support such access; and
``(H) a plan for providing assistance and referrals to
Indian youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence, and for victims of dating violence who
are minors, which may be carried out through a national
Indian youth dating violence hotline, digital services, or
other resources;
``(3) demonstrate recognized expertise providing services,
including information on healthy relationships and referrals
for Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence and coordinating services with Indian Tribes
or Tribal organizations;
``(4) demonstrate support from Indian victim services
programs, Tribal coalitions recognized by the Office on
Violence Against Women and Tribal grantees under this title;
``(5) demonstrate capacity and the expertise to maintain a
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
hotline, digital services and a comprehensive database of
service providers from Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations;
``(6) demonstrate compliance with nondisclosure
requirements as described in section 306(c)(5) and following
comprehensive quality assurance practices; and

[[Page H5892]]

``(7) contain such other information as the Secretary may
require.
``(e) Indian Hotline Activities.--
``(1) In general.--An entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use funds made available through the grant
for the purpose described in subsection (a), consistent with
paragraph (2).
``(2) Activities.--In establishing and operating the
hotline, the entity--
``(A) shall contract with a carrier for the use of a toll-
free telephone line and an internet service provider for
digital services;
``(B) shall employ, train (including providing technology
training), and supervise personnel to answer incoming calls
and digital services contacts, provide counseling, healthy
relationship and referral services for Indian callers and
digital services users, directly connect callers, and assist
digital services users in connecting to service providers;
``(C) shall assemble and maintain a database of information
relating to services for Indian victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence to which Indian callers
or digital services users may be referred, including
information on the availability of shelters and supportive
services for victims of family violence, domestic violence,
or dating violence;
``(D) shall widely publicize the hotline and digital
services throughout Indian Tribes and communities, including
to--
``(i) national and regional member organizations of Indian
Tribes;
``(ii) Tribal domestic violence services programs; and
``(iii) Tribal non-profit victim service providers;
``(E) at the discretion of the hotline operator, may
provide appropriate assistance and referrals for family and
household members of Indian victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence, and Indians affected
by the victimization described in subsection (a); and
``(F) at the discretion of the hotline operator, may
provide assistance, or referrals for counseling or
intervention, for identified Indian perpetrators, including
self-identified perpetrators, of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, but shall not be required to
provide such assistance or referrals in any circumstance in
which the hotline operator fears the safety of a victim may
be impacted by an abuser or suspected abuser.
``(f) Reports and Evaluation.--The entity receiving a grant
under this section shall submit a report to the Secretary at
such time as shall be reasonably required by the Secretary.
Such report shall describe the activities that have been
carried out with such grant funds, contain an evaluation of
the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such
additional information as the Secretary may reasonably
require.
``(g) Administration, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--Of
amounts made available to carry out this section, not more
than 4 percent may be used by the Secretary for evaluation,
monitoring, and other administrative costs under this
section.''.

SEC. 17. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ENHANCEMENT AND
LEADERSHIP.

Section 314 (42 U.S.C. 10414) is amended to read as
follows:

``SEC. 314. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION ENHANCEMENT AND
LEADERSHIP.

``(a) Purpose and Description of Grants.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purposes of this section are--
``(A) to continue efforts to build evidence about effective
primary and secondary prevention practices, programs, and
policies that reduce and end family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence;
``(B) to build capacity at the State, Tribal, territorial,
and local levels to meet the objectives described in
subparagraph (A); and
``(C) to advance primary and secondary prevention efforts
related to domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence nationally.
``(2) Description of grants.--From the amounts appropriated
under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(A) acting through the Division of Violence Prevention of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in
consultation with the Director of the Division of Family
Violence Prevention and Services of the Administration for
Children and Families--
``(i) provide core grants under subsection (b)(1) to
support primary and secondary prevention of domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence; and
``(ii) enter into cooperative agreements under subsection
(b)(2) with State, territorial, and Tribal domestic violence
coalitions that are in partnerships with entities carrying
out local and culturally specific programs, to test,
evaluate, or, as appropriate, scale up innovative domestic
violence, dating violence, or family violence primary and
secondary prevention models, particularly those programs
serving culturally specific or traditionally underserved
populations; and
``(B) acting through the Family Violence Prevention and
Services Program of the Administration for Children and
Families, award grants under subsection (c) to enhance the
capacity of communities and systems to engage in effective
primary and secondary prevention efforts.
``(3) Technical assistance, evaluation, and monitoring.--Of
the amounts appropriated under this section for a fiscal year
the Secretary may use--
``(A) not more than 7 percent of the amounts for each
fiscal year for evaluation, monitoring, and other
administrative costs under this section; and
``(B) not more than 3 percent of the amounts for each
fiscal year for technical assistance under this section.
``(b) Grants to State, Territorial, and Tribal
Coalitions.--
``(1) Grants to build primary and secondary prevention
capacity of domestic violence coalitions.--
``(A) Purpose.--The Secretary shall provide a core grant
for each eligible State, territorial, and Tribal coalition.
The Secretary shall provide such a grant to build
organizational capacity and leadership for primary and
secondary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence, including work with other systems
central to primary and secondary prevention at the local,
State, territorial, and Tribal levels.
``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this paragraph, a State, territorial, or Tribal coalition
shall be a State domestic violence coalition, territorial
domestic violence coalition, or Tribal domestic violence
coalition, respectively, that has not entered into a
cooperative agreement under section 314 of this title (as in
effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021) or
under paragraph (2).
``(C) Application.--Each coalition seeking a grant under
this paragraph shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require. The application submitted by
the coalition for the grant shall provide documentation of
the coalition's primary prevention work, satisfactory to the
Secretary, demonstrating that the coalition--
``(i) meets all of the applicable requirements of this
paragraph; and
``(ii) demonstrates the ability to conduct appropriately
the primary and secondary prevention activities described in
this paragraph.
``(D) Allotment of funds.--Of the amounts made available to
carry out this paragraph, the Secretary shall allot an equal
share to each qualified entity receiving funds under section
311 or section 311A to carry out evidence-informed prevention
activities.
``(E) Use of funds.--A coalition that receives a grant
under this paragraph--
``(i) shall use the grant funds to--

``(I) build the coalition's organizational capacity and
enhance its State or Tribal leadership to advance evidence-
informed primary and secondary prevention of domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence;
``(II) provide primary and secondary prevention-focused
training, technical assistance, peer learning opportunities,
and other support to local domestic violence programs and
other community-based and culturally specific programs
working to address domestic violence, dating violence, or
family violence;
``(III) provide training and advocacy to other State,
Tribal, and local public and private systems on how to
prevent domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence, and help victims, including through health
services, early childhood programs, economic support
programs, schools, child welfare, workforce development,
community-based programs primarily serving racial and ethnic
minority groups, community-based programs serving Deaf
individuals and individuals with disabilities, community-
based programs primarily serving other underserved
populations, faith-based programs, and youth programs; and
``(IV) support dissemination of primary and secondary
prevention strategies and approaches throughout the State,
territorial, or Tribal communities; and

``(ii) may use the grant funds to provide subgrants to
local programs to support the dissemination of primary and
secondary prevention programs or initiatives.
``(F) Reports.--Each coalition receiving a grant under this
paragraph shall submit a report to the Secretary at such time
as the Secretary requires. Such report shall describe the
activities that have been carried out with such grant funds
and the effectiveness of such activities, and provide such
additional information as the Secretary may require.
``(G) Federal activities.--The Secretary may use a portion
of the funds provided under this paragraph to provide primary
and secondary prevention-focused training, technical
assistance, and other support to coalitions described in
subparagraph (B) or State or local entities that are in
partnerships with such coalitions.
``(2) Cooperative agreement for implementation and
evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies.--
``(A) Purpose.--The Secretary shall enter into cooperative
agreements with qualified State, territorial, and Tribal
domestic violence coalitions that are in partnerships with
entities carrying out local and culturally specific programs,
to test, evaluate, or, as appropriate, scale up innovative
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence
primary and secondary prevention strategies and models,
particularly those serving culturally specific or
traditionally underserved populations.
``(B) Qualification.--To be qualified to enter into a
cooperative agreement under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii), an
organization shall be a State, territorial, or Tribal
domestic violence coalition and include representatives of
pertinent sectors of the local community, which may include--
``(i) health care providers and Tribal, State, or local
health departments;
``(ii) the education community;
``(iii) a faith-based community;
``(iv) the juvenile justice system;
``(v) domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence service program advocates;
``(vi) public human service entities;
``(vii) business and civic leaders;
``(viii) child and youth-serving organizations;
``(ix) community-based organizations whose primary purpose
is to provide culturally appropriate services to underserved
populations, including racial and ethnic minority
communities; and

[[Page H5893]]

``(x) other pertinent sectors.
``(C) Term.--The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative
agreement under this paragraph for a period of not more than
5 fiscal years.
``(D) Conditions on payment.--The provision of payments
under a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall be
subject to--
``(i) annual approval by the Secretary; and
``(ii) the availability of appropriations for each fiscal
year to make the payments.
``(E) Applications.--An organization that desires to enter
into a cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall
submit to the Secretary an application, in such form and in
such manner as the Secretary shall require, that--
``(i) identifies models and strategies to be tested and
partner organizations who will be implementing programs to
prevent domestic violence, dating violence, or family
violence;
``(ii) demonstrates that the applicant has developed
effective and collaborative relationships with diverse
communities, including with organizations primarily serving
racial and ethnic minority populations or other underserved
populations;
``(iii) identifies other partners and sectors who will be
engaged to meet the primary and secondary prevention goals;
``(iv) includes a description of the expected outcomes from
the primary and secondary prevention activities and how the
strategy is expected to achieve those outcomes;
``(v) describes the method to be used for identification
and selection of project staff and a project evaluator;
``(vi) describes the method to be used for identification
and selection of a project council consisting of
representatives of the community sectors listed in
subparagraph (B);
``(vii) demonstrates that the applicant has the capacity to
carry out collaborative community initiatives to prevent
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence;
``(viii) describes the applicant's plans to evaluate the
models and strategies it intends to implement, including
demonstrating that the methods selected are rigorous;
``(ix) describes the applicant's existing capacity to
collect and analyze data to monitor performance and support
evaluation and other evidence-building activities or how they
will use the grant to develop such capacity; and
``(x) contains such other information, agreements, and
assurances as the Secretary may require.
``(F) Geographic dispersion.--The Secretary shall enter
into cooperative agreements under this paragraph with
organizations in States, territories, and Tribes
geographically dispersed throughout the Nation.
``(G) Use of funds.--
``(i) In general.--An organization that enters into a
cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall use the
funds made available through the agreement to establish,
operate, and maintain implementation and evaluation of
coordinated community response to reduce risk factors for
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
perpetration and enhance protective factors to promote
positive development and healthy relationships and
communities.
``(ii) Evaluation, monitoring, administration, and
technical assistance.--The Secretary may use a portion of the
funds provided under this paragraph for evaluation,
monitoring, administration, and technical assistance
described in subsection (a)(3) with respect to the prevention
projects.
``(H) Requirements.--In establishing and operating a
project under this paragraph, an organization shall--
``(i) utilize evidence-informed primary and secondary
prevention project planning;
``(ii) recognize and address the needs of underserved
populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups, and
individuals with disabilities;
``(iii) use not less than 30 percent or more than 50
percent of awarded funds to subcontract with local domestic
violence programs or other community-based programs to
develop and implement such projects;
``(iv) in the case of a new grantee, use the funds for up
to 1 year for planning and capacity building without
subcontracting as described in clause (iii); and
``(v) use up to 8 percent of the funds awarded under this
paragraph to procure technical assistance from a list of
providers approved by the Secretary and peer-to-peer
technical assistance from other grantees under this
paragraph.
``(I) Reports.--Each organization entering into a
cooperative agreement under this paragraph shall submit a
report to the Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably
required by the Secretary. Such report shall describe
activities that have been carried out with the funds made
available through the agreement and the effectiveness of such
activities, and provide such additional information as the
Secretary may reasonably require. The Secretary shall make
the evaluations received under this subparagraph publicly
available on the Department of Health and Human Services
internet website, and shall submit such reports to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House
of Representatives.
``(c) Grants to Expand Community-based Prevention.--
``(1) Program.--The Secretary shall establish a grant
program to expand the capacity of communities and systems to
engage in effective primary and secondary prevention efforts.
``(2) Grants.--The Secretary may award grants to eligible
entities through the program established under paragraph (1)
for periods of not more than 4 years. If the Secretary
determines that an entity has received such a grant and been
successful in meeting the objectives of the grant application
so submitted, the Secretary may renew the grant for 1
additional period of not more than 4 years.
``(3) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this subsection, an entity shall--
``(A) be a private nonprofit, nongovernmental organization
(which may include faith-based and charitable organizations)
or a Tribal organization that is--
``(i) a community-based organization whose primary purpose
is providing culturally specific services to racial and
ethnic minority groups or other underserved populations; or
``(ii) a community-based organization with a program
focused on serving youth or serving children and their
parents or caregivers; and
``(B) have a demonstrated record of serving victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, or family violence, or
demonstrate a partnership with another organization that has
such a record.
``(4) Application.--An entity seeking a grant under this
subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary may reasonably require, including--
``(A) a description of how the entity will develop, expand,
or replicate evidence-informed primary and secondary
prevention strategies and approaches in their communities,
including culturally and linguistically appropriate primary
and secondary prevention programming;
``(B) documents that the entity meets all of the applicable
requirements set forth in this subsection; and
``(C) demonstrates the ability to conduct appropriately the
primary and secondary prevention activities described in this
section.
``(5) Use of funds.--An entity that receives a grant under
this subsection shall use the grant funds to--
``(A) build their organizational capacity and enhance their
leadership of the organization within the community to
promote community engagement in and advancement of evidence-
informed primary and secondary prevention of domestic
violence, dating violence, or family violence;
``(B) promote strategic primary and secondary prevention
partnership development, including between any of domestic
violence programs and health programs, early childhood
programs, economic support programs, schools, child welfare
programs, workforce development, culturally specific
community-based organizations, faith-based programs,
community-based organizations serving Deaf individuals and
individuals with disabilities, and youth programs;
``(C) support dissemination of primary and secondary
prevention strategies and approaches to States, territories,
Tribal organizations, and Tribes; and
``(D) use up to 5 percent of funds awarded under this
subsection to procure technical assistance from a list of
providers approved by the Secretary, from peer-to-peer
technical assistance from other grantees under this section,
or from both.
``(6) Technical assistance, evaluation, and monitoring.--
The Secretary may use a portion of the funds provided under
this subsection for evaluation, monitoring, administration,
and technical assistance with respect to the prevention
projects.
``(7) Reports and evaluation.--Each entity receiving a
grant under this subsection shall submit a report to the
Secretary at such time as shall be reasonably required by the
Secretary. Such report shall describe the activities that
have been carried out with such grant funds, contain an
evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities, and
provide such additional information as the Secretary may
reasonably require.''.

SEC. 18. ADDITIONAL GRANT PROGRAMS.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C.
10401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 315. GRANTS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to
provide grants to assist communities in mobilizing and
organizing resources in support of effective and sustainable
programs that will prevent and address domestic violence,
dating violence, and family violence experienced by
underserved populations.
``(b) Authority To Award Grants.--The Secretary, acting
through the Director of the Division of Family Violence
Prevention and Services, shall award capacity building,
implementation, and evaluation grants to eligible entities to
assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally
and linguistically appropriate, community-driven strategies
to prevent and address domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence in underserved populations.
``(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an entity shall--
``(1) with respect to the programs under subsections (d)
and (e), be--
``(A) a population specific organization that has
demonstrated experience and expertise in providing population
specific services in the relevant underserved communities, or
a population specific organization working in partnership
with a victim service provider or domestic violence or sexual
assault coalition; or
``(B) a victim service provider offering population-
specific services for a specific underserved population; or
``(2) with respect to the program under subsection (f), be
an eligible entity described in paragraph (1) that is working
in collaboration with an entity specializing in evaluation
with documented experience working with targeted underserved
populations;
``(d) Capacity Building Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities to support the capacity

[[Page H5894]]

building, planning, and development of programs for
underserved communities that utilize community-driven
intervention and prevention strategies that address the
barriers to domestic violence services, raise awareness of
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence and
promote community engagement in the prevention of domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence in targeted
underserved populations. Such grants may be used to--
``(A)(i) expand the collaboration with community partners
who can provide appropriate assistance to the targeted
underserved populations that are represented by the eligible
entity through the identification of additional partners,
particularly among targeted underserved communities; and
``(ii) establish linkages with national, State, Tribal, or
local public and private partners, which may include
community health workers, advocacy organizations, and policy
organizations;
``(B) establish community working groups;
``(C) conduct a needs assessment of targeted underserved
populations to determine the barriers to access and factors
contributing to such barriers, using input from targeted
underserved communities;
``(D) participate in training and technical assistance
sponsored by the Family Violence Prevention and Services
program for program development, implementation, evaluation,
and other programmatic issues;
``(E) use up to 5 percent of funds awarded under this
subsection to procure technical assistance from a list of
providers approved by the Family Violence Prevention and
Services program;
``(F) identify promising intervention and prevention
strategies;
``(G) develop a plan with the input of targeted underserved
communities that includes strategies for--
``(i) implementing intervention and prevention strategies
that have the greatest potential for addressing the barriers
to accessing services, raising awareness of domestic
violence, and promoting community engagement in the
prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence within targeted underserved populations;
``(ii) identifying other sources of revenue and integrating
current and proposed funding sources to ensure long-term
sustainability of the program; and
``(iii) conducting performance measurement processes,
including collecting data and measuring progress toward
addressing domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence or raising awareness of domestic violence, dating
violence, and family violence in targeted underserved
populations; and
``(H) conduct an evaluation of the planning and development
activities.
``(2) Duration.--The period during which payments may be
made under a grant under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 4
years, except where the Secretary determines that
extraordinary circumstances exist.
``(e) Implementation Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities that have received a planning grant under
subsection (d) or who already have demonstrated experience
and expertise in providing population specific services in
the relevant underserved communities to enable such entities
to--
``(A) implement a plan including intervention services or
prevention strategies to address the identified barrier or
awareness issue or initiate the community engagement strategy
for targeted underserved populations, in an effective and
timely manner;
``(B) design and implement a plan to evaluate the program,
including collecting data appropriate for monitoring
performance of the program carried out under the grant;
``(C) analyze data consistent with the evaluation design,
including collaborating with academic or other appropriate
institutions for such analysis;
``(D) participate in training for the purpose of informing
and educating other entities regarding the experiences and
lessons learned from the project;
``(E) collaborate with appropriate partners to disseminate
information gained from the project for the benefit of other
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
programs;
``(F) establish mechanisms with other public or private
groups to maintain financial support for the program after
the grant terminates;
``(G) develop policy initiatives for systems change to
address the barriers or awareness issue;
``(H) develop and implement community engagement
strategies;
``(I) maintain relationships with local partners and
continue to develop new relationships with national and State
partners; and
``(J) use up to 5 percent of funds awarded under this
subsection to procure technical assistance from a list of
providers approved by the Family Violence Prevention and
Services program.
``(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants under
this subsection for 4-year periods.
``(f) Evaluation Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may award grants to
eligible entities that have received an implementation grant
under subsection (e) and that require additional assistance
for the purpose of executing the proposed evaluation design,
including developing the design, collecting and analyzing
data (including process and outcome measures), and
disseminating findings.
``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection,
the Secretary shall give priority to--
``(A) entities that in previous funding cycles--
``(i) have received a grant under subsection (d); or
``(ii) established population specific organizations that
have demonstrated experience and expertise in providing
population-specific services in the relevant underserved
communities programs; and
``(B) entities that incorporate best practices or build on
successful models in their action plan, including the use of
community advocates.
``(3) Duration.--The period during which payments may be
made under a grant under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 4
years, except where the Secretary determines that
extraordinary circumstances exist.
``(g) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds provided under this
section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other
Federal, State, and local public funds expended to provide
services and activities that promote the purposes of this
title.
``(h) Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--
``(1) In general.--Of the funds appropriated under this
section for each fiscal year--
``(A) up to 5 percent may be used by the Secretary for
evaluation, monitoring, and other administrative costs under
this section; and
``(B) up to 3 percent may be used by the Secretary for
technical assistance.
``(2) Technical assistance provided by grantees.--The
Secretary shall enable grantees to share best practices,
evaluation results, and reports using the internet,
conferences, and other pertinent information regarding the
projects funded by this section, including the outreach
efforts of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
program.
``(3) Reports and evaluation.--Each entity receiving funds
under this section shall file a performance report at such
times as requested by the Secretary describing the activities
that have been carried out with such grant funds and
providing such additional information as the Secretary may
require.
``(i) Administrative Burdens.--The Secretary shall make
every effort to minimize duplicative or unnecessary
administrative burdens on the grantees.

``SEC. 316. GRANTS TO ENHANCE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES
FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY POPULATIONS.

``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a grant
program to establish or enhance culturally specific services
for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence from racial and ethnic minority populations.
``(b) Purposes.--
``(1) In general.--The purposes of the grant program under
this section are to--
``(A) develop and support innovative culturally specific
community-based programs to enhance access to shelter
services or supportive services to further the purposes of
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence
intervention and prevention for all victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence from racial
and ethnic minority populations who face obstacles to using
more traditional services and resources;
``(B) strengthen the capacity and further the leadership
development of individuals in racial and ethnic minority
populations to address domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence in their communities; and
``(C) promote strategic partnership development and
collaboration, including with health systems, early childhood
programs, economic support programs, schools, child welfare,
workforce development, domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence programs, other community-based programs,
community-based organizations serving individuals with
disabilities, faith-based programs, and youth programs, in
order to further a public health approach to addressing
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence.
``(2) Use of funds.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to
programs based in the targeted community to establish or
enhance domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence intervention and prevention efforts that address
distinctive culturally specific responses to domestic
violence, dating violence, and family violence in racial and
ethnic minority populations.
``(B) New programs.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may award initial planning and capacity building
grants to eligible entities that are establishing new
programs in order to support the planning and development of
culturally specific programs.
``(C) Competitive basis.--The Secretary shall ensure that
grants are awarded, to the extent practical, only on a
competitive basis, and that a grant is awarded for a proposal
only if the proposal has been recommended for such an award
through a process of peer review.
``(D) Technical assistance.--Up to 5 percent of funds
appropriated under this section for a fiscal year shall be
available for technical assistance to be used by the grantees
to access training and technical assistance from
organizations that have entered into a cooperative agreement
with the Director to provide training and technical
assistance regarding the provision of effective culturally
specific, community-based services for racial and ethnic
minority populations.
``(3) Technical assistance and training.--The Secretary
shall enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with
organizations having a demonstrated expertise in and whose
primary purpose is addressing the development and provision
of culturally specific, accessible, community-based services
to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence from the targeted populations to provide training
and technical assistance for grantees.
``(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible for a grant under
this section, an entity shall--
``(1) be a private nonprofit, nongovernmental organization
that is--
``(A) a community-based organization whose primary purpose
is providing culturally specific

[[Page H5895]]

services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
and family violence from racial and ethnic minority
populations; or
``(B) a community-based organization whose primary purpose
is providing culturally specific services to individuals from
racial and ethnic minority populations that can partner with
an organization having demonstrated expertise in serving
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence; and
``(2) have a board of directors and staffing with
demonstrated expertise in serving racial and ethnic minority
populations.
``(d) Cultural Responsiveness of Services.--The Secretary
shall ensure that information and services provided pursuant
to this section are provided in the language, educational,
and cultural context that is most appropriate for the
individuals for whom the information and services are
intended, and that information is made available in
accessible formats as appropriate.
``(e) Grant Period.--The Secretary shall award grants for a
4-year period, with a possible extension of another 2 years
to further implement the projects under the grant.
``(f) Nonexclusivity.--Nothing in this section shall be
interpreted to exclude linguistically and culturally specific
community-based entities from applying for other sources of
funding available under this title.
``(g) Reports.--Each entity receiving funds under this
section shall file a performance report at such times as
requested by the Secretary describing the activities that
have been carried out with such grant funds and providing
such additional information as the Secretary may require.
``(h) Administration, Evaluation, and Monitoring.--Of
amounts made available to carry out this section, not more
than 4 percent may be used by the Secretary for evaluation,
monitoring, and other administrative costs under this
section.
``(i) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to allow a grantee to limit services to victims of
domestic violence, dating, violence, or family violence on
the basis of race or ethnicity.''.

SEC. 19. ANALYSIS OF FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY
AMONG SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING
VIOLENCE, AND FAMILY VIOLENCE.

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study and issue a report that includes--
(1) a review of what is known about the number of survivors
of domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence in
the United States;
(2) statistical data, where available, for recent fiscal
years, on the number of survivors described in paragraph (1);
(3) a description of the key Federal programs providing
survivors described in paragraph (1) with financial and non-
financial support;
(4) an analysis of the gaps in current Federal programs, in
terms of benefit adequacy and benefit coverage for the
population of survivors described in paragraph (1);
(5) a demographic analysis of the distribution of the gaps
described in paragraph (4), for groups including racial and
ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, tribal
populations, and individuals who are geographically isolated;
(6) a review of challenges that could affect program
utilization by the population of survivors described in
paragraph (1); and
(7) an indication of the extent to which Federal agencies
or departments currently administering programs described in
paragraph (3) have taken steps to ensure that survivors of
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence have
access to programs that will support their financial
stability.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, as amended, is debatable for 1
hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Education and Labor or their respective
designees.
The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.

General Leave

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 2119.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge support for the bipartisan Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 introduced by
the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the gentleman from Alaska
(Mr. Young), the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore), and the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).
Before I continue, I want to encourage anyone struggling with
intimate partner violence to reach out to the National Domestic
Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or the StrongHearts Native Helpline
at 1-844-7NATIVE.
Madam Speaker, it is difficult to overstate the need to address
intimate partner violence in this country. Roughly 1 in 4 women and
nearly 1 in 10 men reported experiencing some sort of intimate partner
violence.
These incidents often cause severe physical injuries that portend
even graver consequences, including the tragic loss of life.
For survivors of violence, emotional trauma and intimate partner
violence often last long after the physical injuries have healed,
triggering lifelong struggles with disease and mental health
challenges.
For decades, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act has been
a central pillar in our response to domestic violence, authorizing
services like shelters and 24-hour domestic violence hotlines.
Regrettably, these programs have been technically expired since the
end of 2015. Although funding has continued, updates to the law have
been long overdue. For example, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic has
increased the risk of intimate partner violence and restricted access
to critical services for survivors.
H.R. 2119 strengthens our fight in this public health crisis by
updating the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act in two
important ways.
First, it prioritizes equity by expanding funding to reach
communities that have disproportionately high rates of intimate partner
violence but limited access to services.
Second, it invests more in prevention so we can avert the physical
danger and emotional trauma that survivors experience before it occurs.
These updates represent the next steps we must take not only to
support the survivors who need it most, but also to prevent intimate
partner violence from harming our communities.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2119, the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC,
estimated that one-third of all men and women are victims of domestic
violence at some point in their life. In 2018, approximately 40 percent
of female homicides in North Carolina were related to intimate partner
violence. The 2020 statistics aren't any better.

{time} 1230

COVID-19 and President Biden's failed economic policies have dealt
our Nation government-mandated restrictions and economic challenges. It
appears those negative outcomes have snowballed to exacerbate an even
worse fallout.
Evidence suggests that in this pandemic environment, stress due to
work, school, substance abuse, and financial struggles have added to
more violence in the home. Especially hard-hit appear to be rural areas
where job opportunities can be hard to find. Recent statistics show
that domestic violence-related homicides have increased in my home
State of North Carolina.
Domestic violence in any form is an evil that demands a strong
response. That is why, in 1984, Congress enacted the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA, which authorizes programs to
support victims of domestic violence and their dependents. These
programs include grants to support domestic violence shelters and
services and a national domestic violence hotline.
Additionally, FVPSA funds the CDC's DELTA program, which provides
funding to State domestic violence coalitions to develop, test, and
coordinate local prevention and education programs. Since FVPSA's
enactment, Congress has worked in a bipartisan manner to reauthorize
the bill. Sadly, Democrats are now using it as a vehicle to push left-
wing priorities. This is disappointing.
Committee Republicans wanted to support a bipartisan bill. I strongly
believe that FVPSA's history of bipartisanship must be continued.
However, the Democrat bill before us puts special interest groups ahead
of victims of domestic violence.
H.R. 2119 paves the way for taxpayer-supported abortions. Forcing the
public to pay for abortions is morally repugnant and should not be
allowed to

[[Page H5896]]

stand in this bill or any bill. Previous reauthorizations of the law
included a prohibition preventing reimbursement for healthcare
services, but this bill drops that prohibition.
The bill also tramples the rights of faith-based providers by forcing
organizations to abandon their sincerely held religious beliefs or give
up helping victims through these programs, meaning that fewer victims
will be able to access vital services and care. Faith-based providers
who offer critical care to survivors of domestic violence should not be
obstructed from operating.
Additionally, this bill lacks commonsense accountability that is
needed after years of Congress ignoring this program. We need to know
what is going on with the program and the Republican substitute would
ensure we have that information.
FVPSA is not an instrument for partisan policies, or it should not
be, especially those that threaten religious liberties. That is why
Republicans offered an amendment that includes a carefully focused set
of reforms that act in the best interest of victims of family violence
and the people who serve them. Specifically, it improves current law,
ensuring that funds are focused on life-saving supportive services.
Democrats opposed it in committee, and I am guessing they will oppose
it on the floor.
Republicans recognize the importance of supporting survivors of
domestic violence. We must understand that dealing with this issue is
best done at the local level and government cannot always provide the
answers. Local civic groups and faith-based providers are best
positioned to provide aid and deliver it effectively.
Congress should support best practices and protect the providers
closest to the victims seeking help. Pushing faith-based providers out
of this important work--as the Democrat-led bill could do--does nothing
to help continue the delivery of locally-driven support services for
victims of domestic violence.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2119,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath), the lead sponsor of the
legislation.
Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Bobby Scott of
the Education and Labor Committee and staff, and my colleagues that
have joined me on this policy and lifesaving legislation for the
diligence and the commitment towards keeping Americans safe and saving
lives.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvement Act, a long overdue reauthorization
of the Nation's oldest law providing Federal support to survivors of
intimate partner violence. Known as FVPSA, this law is the primary
source of Federal funding for intimate partner violence prevention and
services and provides vital services for victims all over the United
States.
This bill funds shelters, State domestic violence coalitions, a
national domestic violence hotline, and national resource centers that
offer technical assistance to service providers. Despite its pivotal
role in combatting domestic violence, FVPSA has not been reauthorized
since 2015. It is far past time that Congress acts to pass a
comprehensive reauthorization of this vital law.
During this pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of
cases of family and domestic violence. While attempting to stay safe
from the COVID-19 virus that has swept this country, many children and
families were forced to face the violence that awaited them inside
their own homes and further isolated them from their support systems.
Violence in the home can have a tragic and drastic effect on
children, stunting their emotional and cognitive growth and affecting
their performance in school and their social development. This early
trauma can cause long-lasting effects in a person's life and impact
their success as adults. We must make sure that our children and their
families have the resources they need to prevent domestic violence and
abuse.
I have seen too many families in my home State of Georgia suffer at
the hands of domestic and family violence. We must protect these
families and families all across the Nation.

This legislation has broad bipartisan support within both Chambers of
Congress and from stakeholders on the front lines of combatting
domestic violence in America. Our community partners recognize that
this legislation is critical to protecting and supporting our families
and our children.
The reauthorization makes key changes to current law, most
importantly, by ensuring equitable access to resources for Native
Tribes and Tribal coalitions, authorizing a Tribal domestic violence
hotline, authorizing resource centers for Alaska Native and LGBTQ
populations, expanding funding for prevention so that every State and
coalition receives prevention resources, and authorizing grants for
underserved populations and culturally specific services for racial and
ethnic minority groups. It helps provide survivors a way up, a way out,
and a way forward.
Some of my colleagues have argued that the LGBTQ anti-discrimination
clause in this legislation will result in discrimination against
religious organizations who provide services to victims of domestic
violence. This could not be further from the truth.
Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of this
legislation from the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Catholic Charities,

Archdiocese of Chicago,

Chicago, IL, October 15, 2021.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House, House of Representatives Washington,
DC.
Rep. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Steny Hoyer,
Majority Leader, House of Representatives Washington, DC.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy,
Republican Leader, House of Representatives Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott,
and Republican Leader McCarthy: Catholic Charities is one of
the largest social services providers in the Midwest, and I
am honored to serve as its Chief Program Officer.
For 104 years, Catholic Charities has served and
accompanied anyone in need in Greater Chicago. Every year,
Charities' helps nearly 200 survivors of domestic violence
and those at high risk through emergency shelter, safety
planning, counseling, legal services, and transitional
housing. Our wrap-around services and partnerships help
survivors and in many cases their children improve stability
and restore security.
Pre-pandemic, we knew that people experiencing domestic
violence in Illinois were 95% women, 55% Black, and 13%
Latinx. Forty-three percent resided in Chicago and 40% were
low-income.
The survivors we serve at Catholic Charities Chicago face
staggering challenges. One hundred percent live below the
federal poverty line. They come to us as survivors of
intergenerational trauma. They fear losing their children.
They often have prolonged exposure to substance use and are
experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Almost
universally, they are in poor physical and emotional health.
Survivors are often isolated due to cultural factors,
language barriers, lack of familial support, and lack of
awareness of their lawful protections. Moreover, they have
inadequate support once they leave the abusive situation.
It is often the church, and Catholic Charities, to which
survivors turn. The role of trusted, faith-based providers in
this service arena is profound.
COVID-19 has only compounded the struggles faced by
survivors. Since the pandemic began, the Illinois Domestic
Violence Hotline reports a 15% increase in calls and a 2,000%
increase in text messages requesting help. Additional burdens
include financial stress, unemployment, isolation, increased
family conflict, and deepening mental health issues. For
persons experiencing domestic abuse, lockdowns and other
COVID restrictions have forced them to spend more time with
their abuser and less time with their support networks,
increasing survivors' difficulty trying to flee.
A grim reality is that flight from an abusive situation
often leaves survivors without a place to call home. In
response, Catholic Charities operates two transitional
housing programs for domestic violence survivors. While
families are in a safe environment, Charities supports them
on their journey toward healing and recovery with a long-term
goal of securing permanent housing and stable employment. We
offer free legal services including facilitating orders of
protection and court representation in matters of child
support and custody.
Although survivors may reside with us for up to two years,
families typically transition after 12 to 14 months. Once a
one-year housing agreement is secured, Charities arranges

[[Page H5897]]

for the family to move into its new home. With Charities
support, survivors arrive with a truckload of furniture,
household supplies and clothing, and often with savings
between $2,000 and $3,000.
Most important is their increased self-sufficiency and
their deep connection to a supportive, faith-based community.
Our presence continues in many survivors' lives through after
care programming. For instance, past residents attend support
groups, in English and Spanish. Survivors continue coming to
us for food, clothing, school supplies, and other
necessities.
Even through COVID, 100% of the survivors we have served
remained in stable permanent housing. Prior to COVID, 68%
sustained full-time employment; today employment is an
ongoing struggle. Moreover, since the pandemic, Charities has
seen a 25% increase in survivors coming back to us for basic
necessities. Some may not have worked with our team in
years--but our doors remain open.
This past winter, we began offering new services for
survivors of domestic violence on the Westside of Chicago,
where African American and Latinx communities have been
hardest hit by COVID. Our staff offer trauma-informed
counseling and intensive case management. We are
collaborating with churches, hospitals, and others to expand
access to free, confidential services for survivors. Together
we are helping people regain control of their lives and begin
their healing process.
Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the
mission of charity to anyone in need by providing
compassionate, competent and professional services that
strengthen and support individuals, families and communities
based on the value and dignity of human life.
That's why the FVPSA Re-Authorization Act of 2021 (H.R.
2119) is so important to Catholic Charities and to survivors
in faith communities all across the country. Our shelters and
healing recovery programs help survivors rebuild their lives
with hope and dignity.
Thank you for your leadership and the Committee's work to
eradicate gender-based violence through the bipartisan Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119.
Catholic Charities endorses H.R. 2119 which will provide core
supports and enhance comprehensive responses to domestic
violence and urges Members to vote YES on final passage.
FVPSA provides critical support for shelters, coalitions,
training and technical assistance centers, children's
services, emergency response hotlines, supportive services,
and prevention initiatives.
We must continue to consider the ripple effect violence
imposes on the health and well-being of IPV survivors. Access
to resources and continuous supports can be a turning point
in a survivor's journey towards healing and living free from
violence. Your continued leadership in the passage of this
bill is an action of service that responds to those needs in
trauma informed and culturally responsive ways.
Thank you again for your leadership on behalf of survivors,
their families, and their communities around the country.
Sincerely,
Ami Novoryta,
Chief Program Officer, Catholic Charities of the
Archdiocese of Chicago.

Mrs. McBATH. Since coming to Congress, I have focused on protecting
the children and families of Georgia and everyone all across this
Nation, along with children and families throughout this great Nation
that we all serve here today.
Working in close partnership with local, State, and Tribal
leadership, this bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and expand
funding for programs focused on preventing family and domestic
violence, while also protecting its survivors.
I am so proud of this legislation and I am hopeful that it is one
that we can all support. We must come together to support this law,
recognizing that family and domestic violence can affect all Americans,
no matter where they come from. Domestic violence and family violence
is not a partisan issue.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute
to the gentlewoman from Georgia.
Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, domestic violence is not a partisan
issue. Family violence is not a partisan issue; it is a public health
crisis.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues everywhere, Republicans and
Democrats, to support the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvement Act by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2119.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Good).
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Person Speaker, I rise today in strong
opposition to H.R. 2119.
The other side of the aisle claims that this would help families, but
instead, it would devastate them. The bill would coerce faith-based
providers, as the gentlewoman from North Carolina has already said, to
violate their deeply held beliefs or stop their work altogether.
This bill would redefine the definition of sex, and it inserts gender
identity language into U.S. Code. Isn't that the objective of this
administration, this majority, to force our faith-based providers out
of business and to redefine sex and to change the identification of
gender?
My colleagues on the other side claim they want to protect the
family, but instead, they have chosen to attack the very bedrock of our
country--the moral principles and the traditional family that hold our
families and communities together.
In fact, nearly everything that plagues our society can be attributed
to a failure to follow God's laws for morality and His rules for and
definition of marriage and family.
The very name of this bill is steeped in irony--the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvement Act--as it would truly inflict more
violence on unborn babies' lives and force taxpayers to fund the murder
of unborn life; again, consistent with the goals and objectives of this
administration and this Democrat majority.
This would be a bad bill without its attack on the unborn. This would
be a bad bill without its dangerous sexual orientation and gender
identity provisions, or SOGI. This is a bad bill because it spends over
a billion dollars more in expansive and intrusive government. Violence
is already illegal. We Republicans are against it in all forms. This is
a matter for local and State law enforcement.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill, and I
will be doing so.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the chair of the Subcommittee
on Civil Rights and Human Services.
Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119,
the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
As policymakers, we have an obligation to do all we can to address the
domestic violence epidemic and to support survivors.
In 2021, the annual Domestic Violence Counts Report from the National
Network to End Domestic Violence, found that more than 76,000 adults
and children nationwide received potentially lifesaving services from
emergency shelters and hotlines in one 24-hour period. Tragically,
during that same day, more than 11,000 survivors' requests could not be
fulfilled because of a lack of resources. That is unacceptable.
We must better fulfill our responsibility to the millions of
survivors who carry the trauma of experiencing domestic violence, and
whose safety and well-being depends on access to these services.
There is a clear need to update and strengthen our Federal programs
to prevent intimate partner violence and better serve survivors. This
critical reauthorization includes a much-needed investment to increase
funding for the Family Violence and Prevention Services Act, which will
help close national resource gaps.
Additionally, communities of color, LGBTQ individuals, and people
with disabilities face disproportionate rates of intimate partner
violence while too often having limited access to services.
Importantly, this bill will make sure that resources do reach
culturally-specific programs and community-based organizations that are
better equipped to serve the needs of survivors who face historic
violence and systemic inequities.
As chair of the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, I was
honored to hold a hearing that examined evidence-based solutions to
prevent and end domestic violence. Passing this legislation takes a
critical step in fulfilling our obligation to eradicate intimate
partner violence wherever and whenever it occurs.
Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman McBath and Chairman Scott for
their leadership in working to update this important legislation to
keep individuals and families safe, and I urge all of my colleagues to
support the bill.

[[Page H5898]]

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record letters in support of the bill
from the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and the National
Network to End Domestic Violence.

National Resource

Center on Domestic Violence,

Harrisburg, PA, September 20, 2021.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,
DC.
Rep. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Steny Hoyer,
Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy,
Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott,
and Republican Leader McCarthy: Thank you for your leadership
and the Committee's work to eradicate gender-based violence
through the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119. The National Resource Center
on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) endorses H.R. 2119 which will
provide core supports and enhance comprehensive responses to
domestic violence and urges Members to vote YES on final
passage. FVPSA provides critical support for shelters,
coalitions, training and technical assistance centers,
children's services, emergency response hotlines, and
prevention initiatives.
In addition to its broader systems impact, for over 25
years FVPSA has been a critical resource to NRCDV's efforts
to provide training, technical assistance, and resource
development. Through programming such as the National
Capacity Building Center on Safe and Supportive Housing for
Domestic Violence Survivors and web resource repositories
such as VAWAnet, which receives 300,000 site visits per day--
an average of 800 visits per day from 210 countries and
territories around the world, NRCDV can lead innovative and
equitable solutions that address the housing needs of
survivors and resource needs of organizations serving them.
FVPSA also supports NRCDV's work to prevent domestic
violence through the PreventlPV Project. This project
enhances the capacity of state/territory domestic violence
coalitions and community-based domestic violence programs to
advance a comprehensive national prevention agenda and
broaden support for the full implementation of the agenda at
the national, state, territory, and local levels.
Additionally, the platform provides communities with access
to an inventory of searchable tools and materials utilized
and developed by prevention experts from across the country.
Finally, FVPSA supports NRCDV's work to support the
facilitation, coordination, and strategic collaboration
amongst the Domestic Violence Resource Network (DVRN). The
DVRN informs and strengthens domestic violence intervention
and prevention efforts at the individual, community, and
society levels through a network of two national resource
centers, four special issue resource centers, three
culturally specific resource centers, five emerging issue
resource centers, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
These examples are only a minor representation of the ways
FVPSA supports the work of NRCDV and enhances the impact of
on the ground advocacy efforts.
As you lead the efforts to pass H.R. 2119, Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvements Act, we thank you again
for your leadership on behalf of survivors, their families,
and their communities around the country.
Sincerely,
Shenna Morris, M.A.,
Director of Policy, National Resource Center on Domestic
Violence.
____

National Network to End

Domestic Violence,

Washington, DC, September 27, 2021.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,
DC.
Rep. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Steny Hoyer,
Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy,
Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott,
and Republican Leader McCarthy: On behalf of our 56 member
state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, their
more than 2,000 local programs, and the millions of victims
they serve, the National Network to End Domestic Violence
(NNEDV) commends the Education and Labor Committee for
passage of the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and
Services Improvement Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119. H.R. 2119 would
bolster existing FVPSA programs and increase authorized
funding, while expanding access to tribes, tribal coalitions
working to end domestic violence, culturally specific
programs, and other underserved communities. We write today
to express NNEDV's strong support for the bill as reported
out of Committee and to urge all Members to vote yes on final
passage.
FVPSA is at the heart of our nation's response to domestic
violence services and supports lifesaving services including
emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling, legal
assistance, and prevention education for communities
throughout the United States, American Indian and Alaska
Native communities, and U.S. territories. First authorized in
1984 and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, FVPSA is the only federal funding source
dedicated to domestic violence shelters and programs. FVPSA
expired in 2015 and must be reauthorized with key
enhancements in order to meet the growing needs of survivors.
Over 1,500 local, public, private, nonprofit, and faith-
based organizations domestic violence programs rely on FVPSA-
funding to keep their doors open to more than 1.3 million
victims seeking safety each year. NNEDV's 15th Annual
Domestic Violence Counts reports that on just one day in
2020, 76,525 domestic violence victims and their children
received essential services ranging from shelter to
counseling to legal advocacy. However, on that same day,
11,047 requests for services went unmet due to lack of
resources. Many communities and tribes currently have very
limited access to FVPSA funds. H.R. 2119 would bolster
existing FVPSA programs and increase authorized funding,
while expanding access to tribes, tribal coalitions working
to end domestic violence, culturally specific programs, and
other underserved communities. It is vital that access to
FVPSA funds be expanded through the passage of this bill.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected
survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence. Survivors are at risk in a time of heightened
economic, health, familial, and emotional trauma. Direct
service providers are also grappling with the unprecedented
challenge of housing survivors and providing life-saving
services while following distance and separation protocols.
The improvements made in this bill will greatly help meet the
needs of survivors in the current crisis and beyond.
The important improvements in H.R. 2119 reflect the
priorities of the domestic violence field and the diverse
needs of survivors. These improvements include:
Bolstering and investing in lifesaving core victim services
and shelters;
Expanding support for and access to culturally specific
programs by authorizing a new grant program to provide
enhanced access to services for racial and ethnic minority
populations;
Strengthening the capacity of Indian tribes to exercise
their sovereign authority to more fully respond to domestic
violence in their communities by increasing resources for
tribes, authorizing funding for tribal coalitions, and
authorizing the currently funded Alaska Native Women's
Resource Center;
Meaningfully investing in domestic violence prevention by
increasing support for evidenceinformed prevention projects
and funding new initiatives that bring these approaches to
more communities across the country;
Creating a new underserved populations grant program; and
Increasing the funding authorization level to respond to
very low per-program funding levels and adjusting the current
formula to increase access to FVPSA funds for programs not
currently funded.
The bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvement Act (H.R. 2119) provides meaningful investments
in and expanded support for lifesaving domestic violence
shelters and services, including prevention, throughout the
country. NNEDV strongly endorses H.R. 2119 as reported out of
Committee and urges all Members to vote yes on final passage.
Sincerely,
Deborah J. Vagins,
NNEDV President and CEO.

{time} 1245

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I cannot in good conscience
support legislation that opens the door to Federal dollars being used
to harm our most vulnerable--the unborn.
Current law prohibits Federal funding from being used to pay for
reimbursements for medical services while still allowing domestic
violence victims to obtain referrals to have their healthcare needs
met. This prohibition, coupled with the longstanding Hyde amendment
included in annual appropriations, has long been supported by
Democrats, including President Biden.
This precedent ensures that tax dollars under this law do not pay for
abortion services either directly or indirectly.
Sadly, committee Democrats are proposing to strike this prohibition
from the law. Along with their public intentions to strike the Hyde
amendment, I am concerned that this bill could lead to taxpayer dollars
being used to fund abortions instead.
My amendment would have maintained current law and made clear that

[[Page H5899]]

FVPSA funds cannot be used for abortion services or abortion referrals.
This will ensure that even as Democrats make an extreme push to repeal
Hyde, these funds will not be used for such services.
A Marist Poll from earlier this year indicated that 58 percent of
Americans opposed taxpayer funding of abortion--or we could say
inducement for women to have abortions. We should not force taxpayers
to fund services that violate their strongly held beliefs. This
amendment ensures that this does not occur.
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this
amendment.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), who is a distinguished
member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
Ms. MANNING. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of
support from Jewish Women International.

Jewish Women International,

Washington, DC, October 8th, 2021.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,
DC.
Rep. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Steny Hoyer,
Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy,
Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott,
and Republican Leader McCarthy: Jewish Women International
JWI) writes to urge the House to vote yes on the final
passage of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvements Act (FVPSA), H.R. 2119 which provides essential
support for domestic violence shelters and programs.
The core funding provided by FVPSA supports more than 1,500
local public, private, nonprofit, and faithbased
organizations and programs and over 240 Tribes and Tribal
organizations in their response to the urgent needs of over
1.3 million domestic violence victims and their children.
This act also creates a new underserved populations grant
program which will enable these groups to receive services
from culturally specific programs that they are more likely
to seek assistance from and that can better meet their needs.
JWI understands that FVSPA (H.R. 2119) clarifies that
discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
is prohibited under the law. This is in line with existing
law. JWI strongly and urgently is in support of the non-
discrimination clarification included in H.R. 2119.
JWl's work focuses on the nexus of faith and domestic
violence. As the convener of the National Collaborative of
Jewish Domestic Violence Programs, the Clergy Taskforce on
Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and the Interfaith
Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, JWI is well
aware of the critical supports provided by faith communities
to survivors and their children. Our 2021 National Needs
Assessment on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community confirms
that survivors seek domestic violence services that are
inclusive of their religious traditions and that maintain
their connection to their existing religious community.
JWI understands that FVSPA (H.R. 2119) clarifies that
discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
is prohibited under the law. This is in line with existing
law. JWI strongly and urgently is in support of the non-
discrimination clarification included in H.R. 2119. Our
deeply held religious values mandate treating all people with
dignity and respect and providing all survivors with the
services they require.
We urge the House to pass the full FVPSA to avoid failing
the more than a million survivors and children who rely on
these programs and ensure their needs are met.
Sincerely,
Meredith Jacobs, CEO,
Jewish Women International.
Ms. MANNING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support
for the reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvement Act. This act was the first Federal law to provide
resources for survivors of domestic violence and remains the primary
source of funding for shelters.
This critical legislation hasn't been reauthorized since 2010,
leaving vital programs like crisis counseling and safety planning
underfunded and outdated. In North Carolina, a staggering 35 percent of
women and 30 percent of men experience intimate partner violence or
stalking. COVID-19 has only further increased intimate partner violence
rates and has put a strain on services survivors urgently need.
No individual should have to endure the trauma of domestic violence.
We must ensure victims have access to the support and resources
necessary for their safety and well-being. We cannot turn our backs on
our neighbors in need. During this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I
urge my colleagues to join me in reauthorizing this important act.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Bost), who is the ranking member of the Armed Services
Committee.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, preventing domestic violence and supporting survivors
should never be a partisan issue. Unfortunately, this bill makes it
one.
First, by removing the prohibition on reimbursements for healthcare
services, my colleagues across the aisle would allow for Federal
funding from this bill to be used to pay for abortion services.
Secondly, it includes provisions that will effectively bar faith-
based organizations from participating in these domestic violence
prevention and survivor support programs. These organizations play a
vitally important role in providing support to women, children, and
families who are in need.
We should be providing survivors with as many lifelines as we can,
not alienating care providers based on their religious beliefs.
Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill to protect the lives
of the unborn and request we revisit a clean reauthorization of this
legislation.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan) who is a distinguished member of the
Committee on Education and Labor.
Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott for this time.
Madam Speaker, throughout my career, I have witnessed the direct,
positive impact of programs and shelters such as the St. Jude House in
Crown Point, Indiana, and the Haven House in Hammond, Indiana, which
provide hope and resources for survivors and help prevent and protect
against domestic violence. That is why I rise today in strong support
of H.R. 2119, the Family Violence Prevention Act and Services
Improvement Act.
The increase in domestic partner violence is alarming, particularly
as many individuals have lost valuable resources to aid them due to the
pandemic and are forced to remain in close quarters with their abusers.
As an administrator of emergency assistance for 15 years, I remain
deeply concerned about the mental, physical, and emotional trauma
survivors and their children endure.
As one of the most effective Federal investments in preventing
domestic violence, Congress must pass this measure to reauthorize and
improve family violence and prevention service programs.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Scott,
Representative McBath, and the Education and Labor Committee, and I
encourage my colleagues to support this measure.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, currently the Secretary of HHS has unimpeded authority
to create resource centers under FVPSA that are meant to provide
victims of domestic violence with help. Unfortunately, the number of
resource centers has grown in recent years without the public's
knowledge. A brief look at the websites of these organizations reveals
that a number of these centers are using taxpayer money to promote a
progressive ideology on gender and sexuality instead of simply
supporting victims of domestic violence. Taxpayers deserve to know the
mission and purpose of these resource centers and whether they are
effective.
The Republican substitute requires the Secretary to provide notice to
Congress before creating additional resource centers. Additionally, it
requires the Government Accountability Office to issue a report on the
effectiveness of these resource centers and provide recommendations for
improvements on how they can do a better job delivering services to
victims.
Madam Speaker, money is scarce and getting scarcer, and we need to
know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild),

[[Page H5900]]

who is a distinguished member of the Committee on Education and Labor.
Ms. WILD. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021, and, quite
honestly, it is just mind-boggling to me that anybody could find
anything to criticize about this bill.
Since it was signed into law four decades ago, the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvement Act has remained the main source of
Federal funding for the domestic violence shelters in which so many of
the most vulnerable people in our society find safety.
Despite the progress that we have made in this country in
acknowledging the scourge of domestic violence, Congress has not
provided the necessary resources to keep pace with this crisis. This
bill would reauthorize programs that have not been fully funded in more
than a decade, since 2010--programs that are a literal lifeline for all
those who are facing domestic violence across the country.

Domestic violence affects millions of Americans. According to the
Centers for Disease Control, around one in five homicide victims across
our Nation are killed by an intimate partner, and approximately one in
every five women and one in every seven men in the United States will
experience major physical violence from an intimate partner at some
point in their lives.
Madam Speaker, we must pass this critical legislation.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, victims of domestic violence should not lose important
faith-based assistance simply because bureaucrats in Washington don't
share the same beliefs. Our freedom of religion is the number one
freedom outlined in the Bill of Rights, and yet our friends often on
the other side of the aisle seem to forget that and want to trample on
that right. Faith-based providers have helped victims of domestic
violence for years, and they should not be forced to abandon their
mission because progressives want to use taxpayer resources to promote
a progressive ideology on gender and sexuality.
As we learned from our witness at a hearing on this program,
sometimes victims need to hear from faith leaders to feel really safe
and able to get help. We should not jeopardize that lifeline.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), who is the chair of the
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of
reauthorizing the Family Violence Protection and Services Improvement
Act. As a survivor of intimate partner violence, I can tell you that
this piece of legislation is so very important.
For 37 years the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services
Act has supported survivors of domestic violence and their children.
FVPSA helps local governments and service providers prevent violence.
It protects families and victims in their most vulnerable moments. This
time around, FVPSA has strong components of culturally specific
programs, underscoring the sad truth: that victims from all communities
need support.
This reauthorization comes at a critical time for State and local
organizations in this space. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only led to
an increase in domestic violence, it has also led to budget cuts for
many organizations which work to combat violence.
Whether it is in the House of Representatives or the house next door
or my house, we must always speak out against the harmful effects of
violence, especially against women.
Madam Speaker, let's pass this bill. We will keep working for a
future free from domestic violence and intimate partner violence.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Newman).
Ms. NEWMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of America's
survivors of domestic violence, millions of whom live in every corner
of this country and every single congressional district represented
here today.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to vote to pass the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvement Act so that we can expand support,
protection, and prevention for these survivors.
But we must do more. In a recent survey of domestic violence service
providers, 90 percent reported increased demand for mental health
services; however, only 12 percent of respondents said that their
program is very prepared to meet the needs of adult survivors with more
severe or disabling mental health challenges.
We need help with mental healthcare in this country. I don't think
that is a secret to anybody. That is why my amendment would ensure
domestic violence coalitions can partner with mental health and
substance abuse providers for domestic violence programs.
By passing this amendment, we can provide survivors with the mental
health support they need and deserve, especially those from underserved
communities, including: racial and ethnic minorities, people with
disabilities, seniors, and youth.

{time} 1300

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the Democrats' bill strikes a current law provision
that requires certain grant recipients to provide a non-Federal match
for the taxpayer dollars they receive under FVPSA.
Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleagues who have indicated that
funding for domestic violence is not a Federal responsibility. It is a
State and local responsibility. The 10th Amendment of the Constitution
said if their responsibilities were not outlined in the Constitution
for the Federal Government to do, then those responsibilities were left
to the States and to the people themselves.
However, I am a realist. The Federal Government stepped into this
space, in a bipartisan manner, many, many years ago. So, taxpayers
paying taxes at the Federal level have been supporting these programs
for a long time. However, it is appropriate that there be a local match
for this to show that local people have an interest in these programs
and believe they should be supported.
Furthermore, Democrats are refusing to acknowledge that we are nearly
$30 trillion in debt and going up in debt quickly, going down the tubes
quickly. Their radical taxing and spending spree is intended to create
the largest Federal Government expansion since the New Deal. Frankly,
many of them brag about this, which is unbelievable to me.
But Republicans are committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used
efficiently and effectively. That is why the Republican substitute
amendment and my amendment ensure the important non-Federal match
provision under FVPSA remains in place. We need some local skin in the
game.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Domestic violence diminishes us all, and we all have a role to play
to prevent abuse, save lives, and protect victims, which is why I stand
in strong support of my colleague and friend Congresswoman McBath's
Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
This thoughtful legislation will expand funding for lifesaving
services, such as emergency shelter, a crisis hotline, counseling, and
legal assistance. It is focused on protecting survivors and preventing
domestic violence.
The need for safe spaces is in desperate demand. This need has only
increased with the pandemic. Abusers are now leveraging circumstances
to exert new power and control tactics, like withholding information
about COVID-19 and preventing access to medical care.
Our work must match this uniquely challenging time, and I believe
this legislation does just that.
Recently, I visited Laurel House, a domestic violence nonprofit
organization in my district, and I think of how this bill would support
their mission.
Madam Speaker, I thank Representative McBath. This legislation will
save lives.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H5901]]

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).
Mr. GREEN of Texas. And still I rise, Madam Speaker. And I thank the
chairman, Chairman Scott, for the opportunity to be heard.
Madam Speaker, I support this legislation because, on any given night
or day, in 2020, around 11,000 requests for domestic violence services
went unmet, and this was due to a lack of resources. We have the
resources; they are just not getting to the people.
This is what we can do to make a difference in the lives of 11,000
people. I will do what I can. I support the legislation.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a
Statement of Administration Policy in support of the legislation.

Statement of Administration Policy

H.R. 2119--Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of
2021--Rep. McBath, D-GA, and 83 cosponsors

The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R.
2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement
Act of 2021. Congress first enacted the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) in 1984 to provide
resources to address domestic violence as a public health
issue and to support life-saving services and prevention
programs throughout the nation. FVPSA, last reauthorized in
2010, allocates funding to states and territories that
reaches over 1,500 domestic violence shelters and services
programs, as well as funding for over 240 tribes and tribal
organizations, to address and prevent domestic violence and
dating violence. FVPSA also provides funding for a network of
state and territorial domestic violence coalitions, the
National Domestic Violence Hotline, and national technical
assistance providers that provide training and capacity
building to ensure that vital services and support are
available to individuals experiencing domestic violence and
their children. Additionally, FVPSA funds the DELTA program,
which provides funds to design, implement, and evaluate
innovative domestic violence and dating violence prevention
models.
As a result of FVPSA funding, each year approximately 1.3
million survivors receive critical services such as emergency
shelter, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance in
seeking an order of protection, and assistance recovering
from financial abuse and addressing housing insecurity.
Nonetheless, research demonstrates that the need for services
continues to outpace availability and many survivors are
unable to access critical services and support. Furthermore,
the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic insecurity,
increased isolation, and compounded barriers faced by victims
and survivors in seeking safety and stability, particularly
for those from historically marginalized communities.
H.R. 2119 is a bipartisan bill that will authorize
increased funding to strengthen existing services while
expanding access to tribes and tribal coalitions, culturally-
specific programs, and other underserved communities. It will
also expand investments in domestic violence prevention by
increasing support for existing evidence-based, community
projects and by funding new initiatives to reach more
communities nationwide. The Administration urges swift
passage of this legislation.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a
letter from the family violence prevention working group, a coalition
of national organizations working on domestic violence issues.
September 20, 2021.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington,
DC.
Rep. Steny Hoyer,
Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Bobby Scott,
Chairman, House Committee on Education & Labor, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy,
Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Chairman Scott,
and Republican Leader McCarthy: The undersigned organizations
thank the Committee for passage of the Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute (ANS) to the bipartisan Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvements Act (FVPSA),
H.R. 2119, to re-authorize core support and enhance
comprehensive responses to domestic violence, family
violence, and dating violence. We write today to express our
profound support for the bill and write to urge all Members
vote yes on final passage. FVPSA provides critical support
for shelters, coalitions, training and technical assistance
centers, children's services, emergency response hotlines,
and prevention initiatives. This bill also expands grant
programs and makes many needed improvements to ensure more
survivors of domestic violence, family violence and dating
violence have access to support and safety.
FVPSA provides core funding to support more than 1,500
local, public, private, nonprofit and faith-based
organizations and programs and over 250 tribes and tribal
organizations in responding to the urgent needs of over 1.3
million domestic violence victims and their children. As you
know, there is still an urgent need to increase survivors'
access to these vital programs as well as to address current
unmet needs. Estimates show that due to a lack of capacity,
nearly 200,000 requests for shelter can go unmet in a year.
As demonstrated in the annual survey of the National Network
to End Domestic Violence, in just one day in 2020, programs
across the country were unable to meet 11,407 requests from
survivors (requests for emergency shelter, housing,
transportation, childcare, counseling, legal representation,
and other supportive services).
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected
survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and family
violence. Survivors are at risk in a time of heightened
economic, health, familial, and emotional trauma. Direct
service providers are also grappling with the unprecedented
challenge of housing survivors and providing life-saving
services while following distance and separation protocols.
The improvements made in this bill will greatly help meet the
needs of survivors in the current crisis and beyond.
The important improvements in H.R. 2119 reflect the
priorities of the domestic violence field and the diverse
needs of survivors, including:
Increasing the funding authorization level to address very
low per-program funding levels and provide access to FVPSA
funds for more programs not currently funded.
Updating provisions and definitions to ensure access to
services for all survivors, better alignment with related
statutes, and reflect evolving best practices amongst service
providers to provide uniform guidance to the domestic
violence field.
Strengthening the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise
their sovereign authority to respond more fully to domestic
violence in their communities, and authorizing funding for
tribal coalitions and the currently funded Alaska Native
Women's Resource Center.
Bolstering support for all survivors through a grant
program that increases the capacity of culturally specific
community-based organizations to expand access to safety for
survivors of color, as well as provisions that promote best
practices.
Providing a more robust investment in prevention by
bringing evidence-informed prevention initiatives to more
tribes, states, and local communities across the country.
Continuing and expanding support for national technical
assistance (TA) centers and their work to develop effective
policy, practice, research, and cross-system collaborations.
Updating provisions to include additional access and
resources for survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors,
including a new TA center on enhancing accessible services
for those survivors.
Updating provisions for the National Domestic Violence
Hotline and hotline services for underrepresented
populations, including American Indians, Alaskan Natives and
Deaf survivors.
Creating an underserved grant program to increase access to
safety for populations that face additional barriers.
We must continue to ensure that when survivors take the
courageous step to reach out for support, individuals,
organizations and institutions are prepared to address the
risks faced by survivors and their children and improve
efforts to create pathways to enhanced safety and well-being.
As you lead the efforts to pass the bill out of the House,
we thank you again for your leadership on behalf of
survivors, their families, and their communities around the
country, and hope the bill moves swiftly through a vote by
the full House of Representatives on final passage.
Sincerely,
Alaska Native Women's Resource Center (AKNWRC); Alliance of
Tribal Coalitions to End Violence (ATCEV); Asian Pacific
Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV); Battered
Women's Justice Project (BWJP); Casa de Esperanza: National
Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities; Futures
Without Violence; Lovelace Consulting, Inc.; National Center
on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health (NCDVTMH);
National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women;
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV);
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP);
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI); National
Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline); National Indigenous
Women's Resource Center (NIWRC); National LGBTQ Institute on
IPV; National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV);
StrongHearts Native Helpline; The National Resource Center on
Domestic Violence (NRCDV); Ujima: National Center on Violence
Against Women in the Black Community; YWCA USA.

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), chair of the Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing

[[Page H5902]]

outstanding leadership to this issue. And I thank my good friend,
Congresswoman McBath, for her outstanding leadership on helping to
reauthorize this very important legislation that really saves lives.
In my own district, we lost a heroic Sergeant Preston of the Houston
Police Department for one of the most dangerous calls that police get,
domestic violence. He was killed. The 11-year-old son was shot, but,
thank God, he survived. What terrible, senseless violence.
We know that in this program, more than 76,000 people a day are
helped. It is important to take note of the fact that intimate
partnership violence is a crucial element of this legislation. To be
able to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvement Act is to save lives.
In addition, it is important to take note of my amendment that has
been accepted. I look forward to debating it on the floor and the $2
million extra that the State of Texas will give.
But the most important part of it is the recognition that we will
save lives and help to bring families together and to unify the Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1
minute.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. As indicated, 76,000 victims of domestic violence
are helped, but 11,000 are unable to get help because of the lack of
funding.
It is important, as well, to note that, on average, more than one in
three women and one in four men in the United States will experience
rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner.
It is also important to relieve the regulations, the strangulations
that were on this bill before. It now opens it to up provide more to
individuals who are suffering.
What we want to do is to end family domestic violence, and what we
want to do is to end that intimate partner violence and bring families
together, protect children. I am supporting this legislation, and I
believe it is long overdue.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R.
2119, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act,
which makes a good bill even better.
I thank my colleague, Congresswoman McBath of Georgia, for
introducing this important legislation which will improve the
protection and prevention for Americans affected by family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence.
The Jackson Lee Amendment improves the bill by requiring the
Comptroller of the United states to produce a report on the success of
outreach efforts to minority communities.
Through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA),
survivors receive services such as emergency shelter, crisis
counseling, safety planning, and assistance recovering from financial
abuse and housing insecurity.
FVPSA is the only federal funding source dedicated to providing
support to domestic violence shelters and programs.
Madam Speaker, this bill marks an historic effort to acknowledge and
address the unique suffering of family violence survivors from
marginalized communities.
I thank the Rules Committee for including my amendment, because this
amendment is straightforward and makes this important bill even more
effective than it already is.
We must recognize that not all survivors are a monolith.
Different communities and cultures have different perceptions of
domestic violence and reactions to it--therefore different communities
and cultures need different treatments and prevention measures to
address domestic violence.
That is why I am proud to support this bill, which includes
provisions that are tailored to these specific populations.
Such provisions include:
1. Providing new grants to local programs serving culturally specific
or traditionally underserved communities;
2. Increasing access for survivors from racial and ethnic communities
to services by creating a national grant program to build the capacity
to address domestic violence; and
3. Increasing funding for Native American tribes by allocating tribal
grants as a set-aside to acknowledge their sovereign authority.
These are laudable initiatives, and my amendment goes a step '
further to sustain this commitment by adding a requirement that the
Comptroller of the United States must produce a report on the success
of outreach efforts to minorities.
Specifically, my amendment requires the Comptroller General to
include in the study and report described in Section 19 the results of
outreach efforts conducted pursuant to section 308 to certain groups--
including racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities,
tribal populations, and individuals who are geographically isolated--
regarding increasing the availability and ease of access to services.
Simply put, receiving accurate feedback about our efforts will inform
our decision-making, allowing us to adapt and improve upon our programs
to reach more minority survivors.
It is these communities specifically that are in the most need of our
help.
In my home state of Texas, 29 percent of domestic violence victims
are Black despite making up only 12 percent of the population.
The share of domestic violence victims in Texas who are Native
American is twice as much as the proportion of Natives in the general
population.
Madam Speaker, no member should be complacent with these egregious
statistics.
With this bill's increased commitment to prevention and treatment of
family violence, we are sending a message to survivors that you are not
forgotten.
For these reasons, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 2119, the
``Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act.''
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, this bill contains a number of provisions that are
well-known poison pills for Republicans. Democrats can't claim this is
a bipartisan bill when it takes far-left positions on multiple social
issues that are unrelated to FVPSA's purposes.
This bill was rejected on a party-line basis at a committee markup.
Democrats ignored the long history of bipartisan reauthorizations and
included poison pills and not moving forward.
The Senate was able to leave politics at the door, and there is no
reason for the House not to do the same.
Madam Speaker, the majority of Americans oppose using their hard-
earned money to pay for abortions. A Marist Poll conducted earlier this
year showed that as many as 58 percent oppose using tax dollars to fund
abortions.
We have repeatedly seen Democrats attack the lifesaving Hyde
amendment. This, along with the removal of a longstanding prohibition
on using FVPSA funding to reimburse for healthcare services, would risk
forcing taxpayers to fund abortions under this program.
FVPSA dollars are meant to offer hope and healing to victims of
domestic violence, not bring harm to innocent lives.
Madam Speaker, victims of domestic violence deserve access to the
expertise and resources necessary to aid them in their time of crisis,
free from political interference. The Democrats' partisan proposal
could harm the unborn and obstruct high-quality providers from offering
services to domestic violence victims.
As I said before, FVPSA should not be an instrument for partisan
policies, especially those that threaten religious liberties.
Committee Republicans want to continue FVPSA's history of
bipartisanship, yet Democrats have upended the previously bipartisan
balance between prevention services and support for victims and
children at the behest of special interest groups. This is shameful.
I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2119, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
my time.
Madam Speaker, I have to respond to a comment about the budget. I
would point out and remind everyone that since the 1960s, every
Democratic President has ended an administration with a better deficit
situation than they inherited, without exception. And every Republican
administration has ended their administration with a worse deficit
situation than they inherited, without exception. The last President
was well on his way to fulfilling that trend before the pandemic.
The Build Back Better and the transportation plans are in the process
of being paid for so they will not be adding to the deficit.
Madam Speaker, each person in this Chamber should agree that we must
do more to address intimate partner violence in this country. The
critical services for survivors under the Family Violence Prevention
and Services Act

[[Page H5903]]

have now expired, have been expired for more than 5 years, and are in
urgent need of updates.
During the pandemic, many survivors have been isolated with their
abusers, while the gaps in our response to domestic violence have been
exacerbated. This is not the time for Congress to stand by while our
communities continue to endure the far-reaching and lifelong impacts of
this public health crisis. Now is the time for Congress to take action.
As we face new challenges during the pandemic, we must ensure that
survivors in our most vulnerable communities have access to the support
services they need. We must prioritize effective prevention strategies
that stop intimate partner violence from occurring in the first place.
Madam Speaker, each of us has the responsibility to do our part to
fight against domestic violence. The bill before us is an opportunity
to come together and reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors
and preventing all Americans from suffering the devastating
consequences of intimate partner violence.
I want to thank all the bipartisan sponsors for their leadership and
for their work to pass this urgent legislation. I urge my colleagues to
support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of
2021, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2119,
the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and now more than ever,
we must recommit ourselves to eliminating the threat of domestic
violence and ensure survivors have the support they need to heal
physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The bill before us today is the only federal funding source dedicated
to domestic violence prevention programs, and it is critical this bill
is passed to continue funding lifesaving services like emergency
shelters, counseling, and crisis hotlines for survivors and their
children.
FVPSA has been a key pillar in our nation's strategy to eradicate
domestic violence. It has made a difference in my home state. and this
bill is estimated to provide a 50 percent funding increase to $4.5
million that will undoubtedly strengthen care for survivors across
Michigan.
In addition to improving this law and increasing its resources, we
must continue working together to advance comprehensive legislative
solutions that protect Americans from the threat of domestic violence.
This issue is personal for me--I've seen it up close growing up. No
woman, no child, no person, and no family should fear for their life
because of domestic violence. That's why I am a proud co-chair of the
Bipartisan Working Group to End Domestic Violence, a group we
established in 2018 to unite members from both sides of the aisle to
achieve a common purpose: ending domestic violence.
This is not a partisan issue--it's an American issue--and I am
honored to work alongside a bipartisan coalition of members who are
just as dedicated to accomplishing this task. Our goal today, tomorrow,
and each day after will be to end domestic violence and ensure
survivors are given the support they deserve.
Earlier this year, the House also reauthorized the Violence Against
Women Act. This bill includes vital improvements to address gaps that
have been identified by survivors, and I was glad several legislative
pieces of mine were included in its reauthorization.
My Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act was again included that
would close loopholes that make it easy for domestic abusers to
purchase weapons without passing a background check. Additionally, this
bill reauthorizes the VAWA Health program at increased levels that
helps train health care providers and strengthens collaborations
between public health and domestic violence agencies. Finally, it
includes my amendment that would update how survivors of domestic
violence can obtain protection orders.
Our work is far from over. Without reauthorization of FVPSA and VAWA,
programs to help survivors are losing critical funding. We must
demonstrate that protecting and expanding resources for survivors are
top priorities. I urge all my colleagues to support me in passing this
important piece of legislation, and l call on the Senate to swiftly act
to protect survivors across the nation.
I would like to thank leadership for bringing this bill to the floor
and my colleagues, Reps. McBath, Moore, Young, and Katko for their
bipartisan work on this bill.
Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R.
2119--the Family Violence Prevention and Service Improvement Act.
This bill heavily invests in resources and programs to protect and
support women like Gladys Ricart, a 39-year-old-woman and former
constituent of mine who was killed by her ex-boyfriend on her wedding
day.
After years of physical and mental abuse, she left him to move on
with her life, even as he continued to threaten and stalk her.
As she moved on, she met her soulmate, and was happy and eager to
marry the man of her dreams.
What should have been one of the happiest days of her life, was
instead her last. Her ex-abuser fatally shot Gladys on her wedding day.
But her legacy lives on and in 2001, the Brides March was created to
remember Gladys Ricart and to bring awareness to domestic violence.
Heartbreakingly, Gladys' story is not isolated or unique.
By passing the Family Violence Prevention and Service Improvement
Act, we also have an opportunity to honor her memory--her and the
hundreds of thousands of women who have stories just like Gladys'.
This crucial legislation would put millions of dollars towards
expanding support for culturally specific domestic violence programs,
investing in community-based prevention initiatives, and creating an
underserved population grant program.
These resources would help to connect people to advocates and help
them safely navigate life during and after leaving an abusive
relationship.
And as I think of all the resources this legislation will make
available, I think of Gladys and the hundreds of women who march on her
behalf.
I think about the one in three woman, particularly black and trans
women, who will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
I think of the irreputable, lasting harm domestic violence causes
families and children.
I think about all these lives that will be catastrophically changed
or lost and I know that they deserved more.
As we prepare to vote, I implore everyone to think of all the good
the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act will do for
all survivors.
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, everyone, inside Congress and
out, has a duty to stop domestic violence.
Those of us in the House of Representatives can fulfill that duty
today by voting to reauthorize and strengthen the Family Violence and
Prevention Services program.
Sadly, Atlanta experienced what researchers at Emory University
called the ``co-occurring pandemics'' of COVID-19 and domestic
violence. The victims of both were disproportionately in marginalized
communities.
A strengthened Family Violence and Prevention Services program may
have prevented those acts of violence in the first place. This bill's
expanded resources will support organizations like the Partnership
Against Domestic Violence, and everyone else working in the Fifth
District to end domestic violence.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, I want you to know you are
not alone. Please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 800-
799-SAFE or text ``START'' to 88788.
Thank you to my fellow Georgian Lucy McBath and to Chairman Bobby
Scott for their leadership in advancing this crucial legislation.
I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvement Act because there are not two sides
to this issue. You are either opposed to domestic violence or you
aren't.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Each further amendment printed in part B of House Report 117-137, not
earlier considered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant to section 3
of House Resolution 716, shall be considered only in the order printed
in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the
report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time
specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent
and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time before
the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to amendment, and
shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on
Education and Labor or his designee to offer amendments en bloc
consisting of further amendments printed in part B of House Report 117-
137 not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall be considered as
read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled
by the chair and the ranking minority member of the Committee on
Education and Labor or their respective designees, shall not be subject
to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the
question.

[[Page H5904]]

{time} 1315

Amendments En Bloc No. 1 Offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 3 of House
Resolution 716, I rise to offer amendments en bloc No. 1.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en
bloc.
Amendments en bloc No. 1 consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6,
and 8, printed in part B of House Report 117-137, offered by Mr. Scott
of Virginia:

amendment no. 1 offered by mr. kahele of hawaii

Page 7, strike lines 22 through 25, and insert the
following:
``(9) Native hawaiian; native hawaiian organization.--The
terms `Native Hawaiian' and `Native Hawaiian organization'
have the meanings given such terms in section 6207 of the
Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).''.
Page 34, line 21, strike ``10'' and insert ``11'',
Page 35, line 7, strike ``population; and'' and insert
``population;''.
Page 35, line 7, after ``Native population;'' insert the
following:
``(iv) a Native Hawaiian resource center on domestic
violence, to reduce Native Hawaiian disparities; and
Page 45, after line 11, insert the following:
(F) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Native hawaiian resource center.--In accordance with
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall award a grant to an
eligible entity for an Native Hawaiian resource center on
domestic violence to reduce Native Hawaiian disparities,
which shall--
``(A) offer a comprehensive array of technical assistance
and training resources to Native Hawaiian organizations,
specifically designed to enhance the capacity of the Native
Hawaiian organizations to respond to family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence;
``(B) coordinate all projects and other activities with the
national resource center described in paragraph (1)(B);
``(C) coordinate all projects and other activities, with
State and local governments, that involve working with the
State and local governments, to enhance their capacity to
understand the unique needs of Native Hawaiians;
``(D) provide comprehensive community education and
prevention initiatives relating to family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence in a culturally sensitive and
relevant manner; and
``(E) coordinate activities with other Federal agencies,
offices, and grantees that address the needs of Native
Hawaiians who experience family violence, domestic violence,
and dating violence, including the Office for Victims of
Crime and the Office on Violence Against Women of the
Department of Justice.''; and
Page 49, line 16, strike ``and''.

Page 50, line 7, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
Page 50, after line 7, insert the following:
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Native hawaiian resource center.--To be eligible to
receive a grant under subsection (b)(3), an entity shall be a
Native Hawaiian organization, or a nonprofit private
organization that focuses primarily on issues of family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence within the
Native Hawaiian community, that submits information to the
Secretary demonstrating--
``(A) experience working with Native Hawaiian organizations
to respond to family violence, domestic violence, and dating
violence;
``(B) experience providing Native Hawaiian organizations
with assistance in developing prevention and intervention
services addressing family violence, domestic violence, and
dating violence and safety for Native Hawaiian women;
``(C) strong support for the entity's designation as the
Native Hawaiian resource center on domestic violence from
advocates working with Native Hawaiian organizations to
address family violence, domestic violence, and dating
violence and the safety of Native Hawaiian women;
``(D) a record of demonstrated effectiveness in assisting
Native Hawaiian organizations with prevention and
intervention services addressing family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence; and
``(E) the capacity to serve geographically diverse Native
Hawaiian communities and organizations.

amendment no. 2 offered by ms. ocasio-cortez of new york

Strike page 3, line 24, through page 4, line 2, and insert
the following:
``(2) Child.--The term `child' means an individual who is
younger than age 18.

amendment no. 4 offered by mr. cohen of tennessee

=========================== NOTE ===========================

October 26, 2021, on page H5904, the following appeared:
AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY COHEN OF TENNESSEE

The online version has been corrected to read: AMENDMENT NO. 4
OFFERED BY MR. COHEN OF TENNESSEE

========================= END NOTE =========================

Page 88, line 22, strike ``or'' at the end.
Page 89, line 2, strike ``and'' at the end and insert
``or''.
Page 89, after line 2, insert the following:
``(iii) a community-based organization that offers legal
services to help victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, or family violence and that works to serve the
needs of racial or ethnic minority groups, other underserved
populations, youth, or children and their parents or
caregivers; and''.

amendment no. 5 offered by ms. newman of illinois

Page 81, line 17, insert ``(including mental health
providers and substance use disorder treatment providers)''
after ``health care providers''.

amendment no. 6 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas

Page 107, line 6, strike ``and'' at the end.
Page 107, line 12, strike the period at the end and insert
``; and''.
Page 107, after line 12, add the following:
(8) information on the outreach efforts conducted pursuant
to section 308 on outreach to racial and ethnic minorities,
individuals with disabilities, tribal populations, and
individuals who are geographically isolated, to determine
ways----
(A) to increase the availability of services relating to
domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence for
such groups; and
(B) to ensure access to such services.

amendment no. 8 offered by ms. bush of missouri

Page 79, line 9, insert ``housing and shelter services,''
before ``early childhood programs''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from North
Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, there are six amendments in this en bloc.
Mr. Kahele has offered an amendment which establishes the Native
Hawaiian Resource Center on domestic violence.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has offered an amendment to amend the definition of
a child to include any child under 18, including emancipated minors.
Mr. Cohen has offered an amendment to clarify grant eligibility for
legal aid organizations.
Ms. Newman has offered an amendment to clarify that domestic violence
coalitions may partner with mental health and substance abuse disorder
providers.
Ms. Jackson Lee has offered an amendment requiring the GAO study
required in the underlying bill to include information on outreach to
racial and ethnic minorities.
Ms. Bush has offered an amendment to clarify that domestic violence
coalitions can provide training to housing service providers.
These amendments make meaningful improvements to the bill. I urge a
``yes'' vote on the amendments en bloc No. 1, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, while many of the amendments offered today by my
Democrat colleagues do not make the bill any worse, they fail to
correct the significant flaws of the underlying bill.
Several amendments offered by Republican Members would have improved
the bill, but Democrats blocked those amendments from being debated.
Two of those I would like to highlight quickly are: An amendment
offered by Congresswoman Mary Miller to ensure FVPSA dollars cannot be
used for abortion services or abortion referrals and an amendment
offered by Congresswoman Spartz to ensure taxpayers know the mission
and purpose of the resource centers authorized under FVPSA.
These amendments are needed to address concerning changes the
Democrats make that open the door for taxpayer funding of abortion
under FVPSA and also double down on attempts to advance a radical
gender ideology through FVPSA's resource centers.
The Democrats missed an opportunity to change course, work in a
bipartisan fashion, and send the Senate a bill we know could become
law. But they have decided to pursue partisan policy over protecting
victims.
Thankfully, this bill is not heading to the President's desk, and I
look forward to working on making further needed improvements so
victims can access the help they need from those they trust.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), the chair of the Subcommittee on
the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, a heartbreaking statistic of the COVID-

[[Page H5905]]

19 pandemic has been the increase of domestic and family violence that
continues to affect Americans across the country. It has alarmingly
gone up. We must do all we can to keep children and families safe
throughout this pandemic and at all times.
My amendment is part of the en bloc package, and it simply clarifies
grant eligibility to include legal aid organizations that provide
violence prevention services.
There is a direct relationship between legal intervention and a
decline in domestic violence. One study found that obtaining a
permanent protection order resulted in an 80 percent reduction in
physical violence in the 12 months after initial client contact.
Another study found that women represented by legal counsel obtained
a protection order 83 percent of the time, while those without legal
counsel only received a protection order 32 percent of the time.
In the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced
domestic violence, resulting in tens of millions of Americans
experiencing domestic violence in their lifetimes.
Legal aid is a critical prevention tool to help limit the damage
domestic violence causes.
I want to thank Chairman Scott, Legal Services Corporation, the
National Domestic Violence Hotline, and all of the domestic violence
prevention organizations for their support of the inclusion of this
amendment and the vital work that they do.
I want to thank Reisha Buster on my staff, Kevin on my staff, and all
of the other members of my staff.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the
overall bill.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the chair of the Subcommittee
on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman very much
for his work, and again let me thank my colleague, Congresswoman
McBath, a member of the Education and Labor Committee and a member of
the Judiciary Committee.
Madam Speaker, I rise to support my amendment, and all of the other
amendments, which in particular my amendment provides an outreach that
I think is extremely crucial to providing an outreach to populations
that have been unnecessarily victims of domestic violence.
I do want to, again, emphasize the issue of Sergeant Preston, who
died in the course of a police encounter with a domestic abuser with a
gun, and to emphasize that an average of 24 people per minute are
victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner
in the United States; more than 12 million women and men over the
course of a year. Nearly 3 in 10 women, or 29 percent, and 1 in 10 men,
in the U.S. have experienced physical violence and/or stalking.

This reauthorization is long overdue. Just under 15 percent of women,
14.8 percent, and 12 percent of men in the U.S. have been injured as a
result of intimate partner violence that included rape, physical
violence, and stalking by an intimate partner. More importantly, how
many of them have been killed?
In my own district, we had a circumstance of a domestic violence
incident where the woman was killed in the bed, and laying next to her
was her newborn infant. The stories are without comparison.
When you talk to women's shelters, the great need that they have and
the funding that is going to come from this particular effort is $2
million to the State of Texas alone. The effort that is most important
is vulnerable women, women of color, and Native Americans. The Tribal
dollars that are in here are crucial as well.
The Violence Against Women Act, I hope that we will see its passage
in the Senate, along with the reauthorizing of the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Improvement Act as well, because we, too,
address the question of Tribal women.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute
to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, Tribal circumstances are an
enormously difficult circumstance to be engaged in. The abuse in the
Tribal areas, and the utilization of vicious acts then coming out and
not being prosecuted is really unseemly.
But this is going to be intervention. This is going to be saving
lives.
I would just offer, as I close, a comment on who we should expand
this to: the LGBTQ community, the transgender, individuals who have to
deal with the remnants of a rape. That is, of course, a pregnancy that
my State, the State of Texas, has now violated all human dignity with
their abortion bill that not only stops women from engaging with their
faith leader, their family members, and their doctor, but it also
stalks women and sends people out for a bounty to get $10,000.
So this is the kind of uplifting legislation, reauthorization after
10 years, that is going to address the question of women who are
desperately in need and also protect law enforcement officers as well.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has again
expired.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30
seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, this is also going to protect law
enforcement officers as well. In tribute and memory to Sergeant
Preston, a veteran of the HPD, the idea of being able to go and help
and come back with your own life and protect those who are being
victimized. The less we have of that and the more intervention that we
have, the more we can save lives.
So I want to claim that this particular legislation is lifesaving. I
ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment, which is, in
essence, attempting to get more resources, more information, and
support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, again, these amendments included in the amendments en
bloc make meaningful improvements to the bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote on
en bloc No. 1, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, again, these amendments do not make any further harm
to the programs, but they also do not cure the flaws in the bill before
us today. I do not oppose this en bloc but urge my colleagues to oppose
the underlying bill.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2119,
the ``Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act,'' which
will improve the protection and prevention for Americans affected by
family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence.
I would like to thank my good friend, Congresswoman McBath, for
championing this important legislation and shepherding it to the floor.
Through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA),
survivors receive services such as emergency shelter, crisis
counseling, safety planning, and assistance recovering from financial
abuse and housing insecurity.
The FVPSA supports life-saving services throughout the country via
grants to states, tribal governments, and territories through three
primary sets of activities, all of which are administered by HHS.
First, the FCPSA funds a national domestic violence hotline that
receives calls for assistance related to this violence. The hotline
provides crisis intervention and counseling, maintains a database of
service providers, and provides referrals for victims and others
affected by domestic violence.
Second, FVPSA funds efforts to prevent domestic violence through a
program known as Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and
Leadership Through Allies (DELTA).
Third, FVPSA supports direct services for victims and their families.
Most of this funding is awarded via grants to states, territories, and
tribes.
FVPSA is the only federal funding source dedicated to providing
support to domestic violence shelters and programs.

[[Page H5906]]

FVPSA provides base core funding to support more than 1,600 local
public, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and programs
in their response to the urgent needs of over 1.3 million domestic
violence victims and their children.
In 2020, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) found
that in just one day, FVPSA-funded programs helped 76,525 victims of
domestic violence.
However, over 11,000 people were unable to be served due to a lack of
funding.
This shortage of funding is especially severe with shelters serving
rural and marginalized populations, and increased funding and
culturally-specific programs are essential to addressing the needs of
these communities.
FVPSA was first passed in 1984 and was most recently reauthorized in
2010. Its authorization expired in 2015.
Madam Speaker, this bill marks an historic effort to acknowledge and
address the unique suffering of family violence survivors from
marginalized communities.
Different communities and cultures have different perceptions of
domestic violence and reactions to it--therefore different communities
and cultures need different treatments and prevention measures to
address domestic violence.
That is why I am proud to support this bill, which includes
provisions that are tailored to these specific populations.
Such provisions include:
1. Providing new grants to local programs serving culturally specific
or traditionally underserved communities;
2. Increasing access for survivors from racial and ethnic communities
to services by creating a national grant program to build the capacity
to address domestic violence; and
3. Increasing funding for Native American tribes by allocating tribal
grants as a set-aside to acknowledge their sovereign authority.
Simply put, receiving accurate feedback about our efforts will inform
our decision-making, allowing us to adapt and improve upon our programs
to reach more minority survivors.
It is these communities specifically that are in the most need of our
help.
In my home state of Texas, 29 percent of domestic violence victims
are Black despite making up only 12 percent of the population.
The share of domestic violence victims in Texas who are Native
American is twice as much as the proportion of Natives in the general
population.
In addition to addressing the special needs of minority communities,
there is a litany of other exciting provisions in this bill that build
upon the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, such as:
1. Increasing the funding authorization level to $253 million to
address chronic underfunding that resulted in 11,000 people not
receiving services in a single day.
2. Technologically updating the National Domestic Violence Hotline
and improving hotline services for underrepresented populations.
3. Authorizing funding for tribal coalitions, which provide support
to tribal domestic violence programs but are not currently authorized
by statute to receive FVPSA funding.
4. Authorizing new grants of up to $150,000 to each state,
territorial and tribal coalition to prevent domestic violence.
A bill of this nature is incredibly important for my home state of
Texas, where it is estimated that 1 in 3 Texans will be a victim of
domestic violence during their lifetime.
Madam Speaker, no member should be complacent with these egregious
statistics.
With this bill's increased commitment to prevention and treatment of
family violence, we are sending a message to survivors that you are not
forgotten.
For these reasons, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 2119, the
``Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the
previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
The question is on the amendments en bloc.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. CLYDE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
are postponed.

Amendments En Bloc No. 2 Offered by Mr. Scott of Virginia

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 3 of House
Resolution 716, I rise to offer amendments en bloc No. 2.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en
bloc.
Amendments en bloc No. 2 consisting of amendment Nos. 3 and 7,
printed in part B of House Report 117-137, offered by Mr. Scott of
Virginia:

amendment no. 3 offered by ms. foxx of north carolina

Page 22, strike lines 12 through 14.
Page 22, line 15, strike ``(4), as so redesignated'' and
insert ``(5)''.
Page 23, line 8, strike ``(5), as so redesignated'' and
insert ``(6)''.

amendment no. 7 offered by ms. letlow of louisiana

Strike the text of the committee print and insert the
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Family Violence Prevention
and Services Improvement Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 303 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Act (42 U.S.C. 10403) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``$175,000,000'' and
inserting ``$270,000,000''; and
(2) by striking ``fiscal years 2011 through 2015'' each
place such term appears and inserting ``fiscal years 2022
through 2026''.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL ISSUE RESOURCE
CENTERS.

Section 310(a) of the Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10410(a)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(3) Limitation.--The Secretary shall provide to the
Congress not less than 120 days notice before awarding any
grant for the establishment of a special issue resource
center under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) after the date of the
enactment of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvement Act of 2021.''.

SEC. 4. GAO REVIEW OF RESOURCE CENTERS.

Section 310 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Act (42 U.S.C. 10410) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e) GAO Review.--
``(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a review of the national resource
centers and special issue resource centers authorized under
this section and submit a report to the Congress not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021 that
includes an evaluation of the effectiveness of the entities
receiving a grant under this section at preventing family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, and
providing successful intervention services.
``(2) Additional matter.--The report ssubmitted under
paragraph (1) shall also include--
``(A) an evaluation of the quality of the data submissions
by each entity receiving a grant under this section;
``(B) recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services for improvements to the use of the resource centers;
and
``(C) an evaluation of the ability of the Department of
Health and Human Services to present statutorily-required
data on entities receiving a grant under this section to the
Congress within the congressionally-mandated timeline.''.

SEC. 5. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C.
10401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 315. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.

``Nothing contained in this title shall be construed to
authorize the making of any payment under this title for
abortion services or referrals for receipt of such
services.''.

SEC. 6. ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Authority of Secretary.--Section 304(c) of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10404(c)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(c) Reports.--
``(1) In general.--Every 2 years, the Secretary shall
review and evaluate the activities conducted by grantees,
subgrantees, and contractors under this title and the
effectiveness of the programs administered pursuant to this
title, and submit a report containing the evaluation to the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. Such report shall also
include--
``(A) a summary of the documentation provided to the
Secretary through performance reports submitted under
sections 306(d), 310(d), 311(g), 312(e), 313(f), and 314(h);
``(B) a description of how the grantees, subgrantees, and
contractors met the goals of their activities;
``(C) a description of how grantees and subgrantees awarded
funds under this title use those funds so they are not
duplicative of, or overlap with, other Federal, State, local,
and private funds directed toward preventing family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence; and
``(D) for any of the grantees that continue to receive
funding, a description of the changes that were made to their
activities to improve services and meet the purpose of the
Act.
``(2) Public availability.--The Secretary shall make
publicly available on the Department of Health and Human
Services website, in an easily searchable format, the
evaluation reports submitted to Congress under this
subsection, including the summary of the documentation
provided to the Secretary under sections 306(d), 310(d),
311(g), 312(e), 313(f), and 314(h).''.

[[Page H5907]]

(b) Formula Grants to States.--Section 306(d) of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10406(d)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(d) Reports and Evaluations.--Each grantee shall submit
an annual performance report to the Secretary at such time as
shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such
performance report shall describe the grantee and subgrantee
activities that have been carried out with grant funds made
available under subsection (a) or section 309, including the
number of families and individuals served and the types of
services rendered, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness
of such activities, and provide such additional information
as the Secretary may reasonably require.''.
(c) National Resource Centers and Training and Technical
Assistance Centers.--Section 310(d) of the Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10410(d)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(d) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a
grant under this section shall submit a performance report to
the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be
reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report
shall describe the activities that have been carried out with
such grant funds, including the number of families and
individuals served and the types of services rendered,
contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities,
and provide such additional information as the Secretary may
reasonably require''.
(d) Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions.--Section
311(g) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42
U.S.C. 10411(g)) is amended to read as follows:
``(g) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a
grant under this section shall submit a performance report to
the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be
reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report
shall describe the activities that have been carried out with
such grant funds, including the number of families and
individuals served and the types of services rendered,
contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities,
and provide such additional information as the Secretary may
reasonably require''.
(e) Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their
Children.--Section 312(e) of the Family Violence Prevention
and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10412(e)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(e) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a
grant under this section shall submit a performance report to
the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be
reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report
shall describe the activities that have been carried out with
such grant funds, including the number of families and
individuals served and the types of services rendered,
contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities,
and provide such additional information as the Secretary may
reasonably require''.
(f) National Domestic Violence Hotline Grant.--Section
313(f) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42
U.S.C. 10413(f)) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Reports and Evaluations.--Each entity receiving a
grant under this section shall submit a performance report to
the Secretary annually and in such manner as shall be
reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance report
shall describe the activities that have been carried out with
such grant funds, including the number of families and
individuals served and the types of services rendered,
contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities,
and provide such additional information as the Secretary may
reasonably require''.
(g) Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership
Through Alliances (DELTA).--Section 314(h) of the Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10414(h)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(h) Reports and Evaluations.--Each organization entering
into a cooperative agreement under this section shall submit
a performance report to the Secretary at such time as shall
be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such performance
report shall describe activities that have been carried out
with the funds made available through the agreement,
including the number of families and individuals served and
the types of services rendered, contain an evaluation of the
effectiveness of such activities, and provide such additional
information as the Secretary may reasonably require. The
Secretary shall make the evaluations received under this
subsection publicly available on the Department of Health and
Human Services website. The reports shall also be submitted
to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 716, the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentlewoman from North
Carolina (Ms. Foxx) each will control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Improvement Act provides critical services to victims of domestic
violence, and faith-based organizations are some of the leading
providers of these services.
Unfortunately, the Democrats' bill would change that by adding
extreme provisions that stray from FVPSA's important purposes and could
limit participation of the important faith-based providers.
The substitute amendment offered by Congresswoman Letlow ensures that
faith-based providers don't have to choose between their beliefs or
continuing to deliver the vital service and care that help protect
victims.
Congresswoman Letlow's amendment also brings much-needed
accountability to FVPSA. The law currently authorizes the Secretary to
create domestic violence resource centers, but these resource centers
have been used to push a radical gender ideology rather than help
victims of domestic violence.
That is why the substitute amendment requires the Secretary to
provide notice to Congress before creating additional resource centers.
Further, it requires the Government Accountability Office to issue a
report on the effectiveness of these resource centers and provide
recommendations for improvements on how they can do a better job
delivering services to victims.
It has been too long since Congress has exercised effective oversight
of this program, and it is time to change that. Beginning with the
provisions in Congresswoman Letlow's amendment, this law will finally
have some real accountability metrics.

{time} 1330

The Democrats' bill also strikes a current law provision that
requires certain grant recipients to obtain funding from sources
outside the Federal Government, so Federal taxpayers are not on the
hook for providing all of the funding.
While Republicans are committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are used
efficiently and effectively, Democrats refuse to acknowledge that we
are nearly $30 trillion in debt. Their radical taxing-and-spending
spree is intended to create the largest Federal Government expansion
since the New Deal, and this bill is the latest attempt by the
Democrats to create further reliance on government, pushing out
private-sector involvement in these critical programs. That is why the
amendment I offered ensures the important non-Federal match provision
under FVPSA remains in place.
I urge my colleagues to support these amendments, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, there are two amendments in this en bloc. First, as it
has been explained, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) has
offered an amendment to reinstate the State match requirement, and the
gentlewoman from Louisiana (Ms. Letlow) has offered a substitute
amendment, leaving out the majority of the programming improvements in
H.R. 2119 and adding a problematic provision regarding abortion.
These amendments undermine the bipartisan, bicameral progress
included in H.R. 2119 and neglect to make any changes or enhancements
to FVPSA programs.
These amendments en bloc fail to meet the moment. There are a number
of things they do:
They halt the creation of a new resource center on disability and
domestic violence needed to counter the disproportionate rates of
intimate partner violence among people with disabilities.
They prevent Tribal governments from getting the resources they need
to combat domestic violence, which occurs at alarming rates in Tribal
communities.
They strike grants that support survivors from racial and ethnic
minority groups. Communities of color face disproportionate rates of
domestic violence and sexual assault and often experience barriers to
accessing services.

[[Page H5908]]

They remove the addition of new prevention grants to ensure
prevention funding goes to every State, Tribe, and territory, despite
the fact that currently only 10 States receive funding to do any
prevention work, and this amendment maintains that status quo.
These amendments would also reinstate State matching fund
requirements. Particularly during the ongoing pandemic and economic
crisis, this would create significant operational challenges for
service providers. For example, nonprofit organizations do not have the
benefit of guaranteed funding and may struggle to meet match
requirements. Ultimately, this means fewer services available for
survivors.
The amendments en bloc also include a partisan attack on abortion,
undermining a comprehensive reauthorization that can meaningfully
improve the lives of survivors of intimate partner violence.
These amendments inject needless political controversy into this
debate, undermining the hard work we have done to develop a
comprehensive reauthorization. Instead of acknowledging the
complexities of medical decisions for both women and their providers,
abortion opponents use these bills and amendments like these as a
distraction.
These amendments threaten the progress we have made on the bill, and
therefore I urge a ``no'' vote on amendments en bloc No. 2.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Louisiana (Ms. Letlow).
Ms. LETLOW. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Dr. Foxx's strong leadership
of the committee and on this important issue.
According to CDC estimates, at least one in three Americans has
experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by a
partner. For decades, Congress has worked in a bipartisan fashion to
dedicate resources toward preventing and healing the suffering of these
victims.
But today, the bill we are considering, H.R. 2119, the Family
Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act, includes several
highly concerning provisions.
First, this bill opens the door for entities to spend taxpayer
dollars on abortions.
Secondly, it forces an unnecessary conversation about sexual
orientation and gender identity when these issues have never been a
part of this bill before and should not be a barrier between people and
the services they need.
Our focus must be on supporting survivors and those who use these
vital resources. That is why my substitute amendment replaces the full
text of the bill before us with multiple key provisions to ensure
victims of domestic violence and their dependents receive critical
assistance to help them in their time of crisis.
First, my amendment reauthorizes the current Family Violence
Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA, for the next 5 years, ensuring that
victims of domestic violence get the lifesaving, supportive services
they need.
FVPSA was enacted to save innocent lives, not put them in harm's way.
That is why my amendment also rejects a change included in the
Democrats' proposal that could lead to violence prevention dollars
going to support abortion services. The amendment makes clear that
Federal law should not support abortions. Upholding the sanctity of
every human life is of utmost importance, and it is critical to ensure
that no taxpayer dollars pay for abortions.
Next, my amendment also protects the ability of faith-based
organizations to continue helping victims of domestic violence.
Countless religious organizations work tirelessly to help protect
victims of domestic violence, but the Democrats' radical abortion
agenda risks denying victims' access to these providers.
Finally, my amendment brings much-needed transparency and Federal
agency accountability to the programs authorized under this law.
Congress should have safeguards in place to ensure that these resources
are going to the people who truly need them and not being used to push
a hidden agenda without the public's knowledge.
The Republican substitute is a carefully crafted set of reforms that
puts victims of family violence and the people who serve them first.
Furthermore, it is a pro-life amendment strongly opposed by Planned
Parenthood.
I urge my colleagues to reject the other side's bill and instead
embrace the commonsense, lifesaving provisions included in the
Republican substitute amendment.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I believe I have the right to
close. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, it is critical that we reauthorize FVPSA in
a bipartisan manner, free from partisan poison pills. The Democrats'
bill fails to do that, but the Republican amendments would set aside
politics, ensuring FVPSA continues to offer help to victims of domestic
violence.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
my time to close.
Madam Speaker, again, the amendments included in this en bloc weaken
the bill. I urge a ``no'' vote on en bloc No. 2. I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Wasserman Schultz). Pursuant to House
Resolution 716, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en
bloc offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
The question is on the amendments en bloc.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the noes appeared to have it.
Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
are postponed.
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of H.R.
2119 is postponed.

____________________