H.R. 8156

119 HR 8156 IH: National Parent and Youth Helpline Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-03-27
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 8156  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.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   National Parent and Youth Helpline Act  .
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.
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:
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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