GRACIE Act of 2026

Summary#

The GRACIE Act of 2026 would create a federal grant program to help States record and store all child welfare interviews. The Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau (in the Administration for Children and Families, HHS) would award grants to State agencies. States applying must describe current recording rules, challenges to implementing recordings, and how they will use grant funds. States that receive grants must have a law, ordinance, policy, or practice requiring all child welfare interviews to be recorded (for example, audio or body‑worn camera video) and stored for at least 5 years. The bill sets limits on who can get copies of recordings (generally government investigators or prosecutors; caregivers or guardians may get recordings if requested in a judicial proceeding unless a court orders otherwise), requires penalties for improper release, and requires secure storage with access controls. The bill also requires States to keep records for federal audits of grant use.

What it means for you#

  • If you work for a State child welfare agency: the State would need a recording and retention policy and may apply for federal grants to pay for recording equipment, storage, and related costs. The Associate Commissioner could inspect records related to grant use.
  • If you are a caregiver or guardian: recordings of relevant interviews could be made available to you if you request them in connection with a judicial proceeding, unless a court orders otherwise.
  • If you are a child or family subject to a child welfare interview: interviews would generally be recorded and kept for at least 5 years under the State rules required by this program.

Expenses#

The bill limits federal spending for this program to not more than $30,000,000 per fiscal year for each year from 2026 through 2031, drawn from amounts appropriated under subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act. Grant funds must be used exclusively for costs directly associated with conducting and retaining recordings of child welfare interviews. No further cost estimates or budget impacts are provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.