Bill > S659

This bill establishes the "GRACIE Act of 2025", which creates a grant program within the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide financial support to states that mandate comprehensive recording of child welfare interviews. The bill defines a "child welfare interview" as a documented discussion with children and adults conducted by child protective services to gather information about potential abuse, neglect, or violence. To be eligible for grants, states must have laws or policies requiring all such interviews to be recorded through electronic audio, body camera video, or other reasonable means, with recordings retained securely for at least 5 years. The recordings can only be released to investigators, but caregivers or guardians can request copies for judicial proceedings, subject to court approval. The grants can be used exclusively for costs associated with conducting, recording, and storing these interviews, including initial family assessment interviews. The bill applies to all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, with the goal of creating more transparent and accountable child welfare investigation processes by ensuring a reliable, verifiable record of interviews.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/659/all-info