H.R. 8156

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8156 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8156

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a 
grant program to support the establishment of a national, toll-free 
telephone helpline to provide information and assistance to parents, 
caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2026

Mrs. Torres of California introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a 
grant program to support the establishment of a national, toll-free 
telephone helpline to provide information and assistance to parents, 
caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Parent and Youth Helpline 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds as follows:
(1) There are approximately 174,000,000 parents, 
caregivers, and youth in the United States.
(2) Many parents, caregivers, and youth often do not have 
an immediate connection to someone who can offer trusted 
guidance when facing personal challenges.
(3) Parents, caregivers, and youth could benefit from an 
effective helpline that fosters the strengths parents have, 
which would improve family relationships, as well as community 
life and society overall to foster the future for American 
children and families.
(4) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services 
will support parents and caregivers in positively addressing 
child development concerns and responding to child 
maltreatment, substance misuse, and other personal and family 
challenges.
(5) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services 
promote safety and stability by reducing harmful influences and 
encouraging protective behaviors through weekly, trusted, and 
stable engagement programs.

SEC. 3. GRANT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL PARENT AND YOUTH HELPLINE.

Title I of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 
5101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 103 the following:

``SEC. 103A. GRANT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL PARENT AND YOUTH HELPLINE.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award a grant to one nonprofit 
entity to--
``(1) provide for the establishment and ongoing operation 
of a national, toll-free telephone parent and youth helpline, 
as described in subsection (d), to provide personal guidance 
and trusted assistance to parents, caregivers, and youth to 
prevent child abuse and strengthen families through calls, 
texts, and live chats;
``(2) create and maintain a website with vital information 
and resources for parents, caregivers, and youth to address a 
broad spectrum of family issues related to emotional, social, 
behavioral, and educational well-being; and
``(3) develop and implement comprehensive outreach 
strategies to reach parents, caregivers, and youth nationwide.
``(b) Priority.--In awarding the grant under this section, the 
Secretary shall give priority to an entity--
``(1) with experience in operating a national parent and 
youth helpline that provides guidance and emotional support to 
parents, caregivers, and youth; and
``(2) that operates weekly, evidence-based mutual support 
groups.
``(c) Duration.--The grant under this section may be awarded for a 
period of not more than 5 years.
``(d) Helpline Activities.--The entity that receives the grant 
under this section shall use the grant--
``(1) to establish and operate a 24-hour, national, toll-
free telephone helpline to provide (through calls, texts, and 
live chats)--
``(A) emotional support and assistance to parents, 
caregivers, children, and youth of all ages who are 
facing personal challenges, including emotional 
distress, substance abuse, peer relationships, and 
educational concerns related to their well-being; and
``(B) weekly, trusted mutual support groups held 
across the country to promote family stability and 
encourage skills that help strengthen households; and
``(2) to carry out activities in support of the helpline, 
including--
``(A) implementing comprehensive outreach 
strategies to reach parents, caregivers, and youth 
nationwide;
``(B) distributing relevant information and 
resources to parents, caregivers, and youth; and
``(C) maintaining a website to provide information 
about the helpline.
``(e) Performance Reports.--The entity that receives the grant 
under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may reasonably require. Such performance report shall 
include--
``(1) a description of the activities carried out with the 
grant;
``(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such 
activities; and
``(3) such additional information as the Secretary 
determines appropriate.
``(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than three years after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report addressing the implementation and effectiveness of 
the national parent and youth helpline funded with the grant under this 
section.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2027 through 2032.''.
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