Renewed Hope Act
Sponsored By: Representative Lee (FL)
In Committee
Summary
This bill strengthens DHS's ability to identify and rescue child sexual exploitation victims by expanding Homeland Security Investigations staffing and forensic capabilities and by formalizing training, contractor use, and interagency coordination.
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- Families and victims — Speeds identification and rescue by adding at least 40 forensic analysts and 30 child exploitation investigators to HSI's Victim Identification Laboratory, plus at least 130 more analysts and investigators across HSI field offices.
- HSI workforce — Expands direct-hire authority for critical positions with a 97 percent occupancy cap and requires annual reporting on appointments and use for four years.
- Outside experts — Creates a contracting program to bring in temporary specialists and consultants at daily rates capped at the GS-15 rate, with placement rules for those hires.
- Law enforcement partners and NCMEC — Establishes a Victim Identification Training Program in the Cyber Crimes Center to train DHS staff, state, local, tribal, international law enforcement, civilian organizations, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on image, audio, and video forensics.
- Privacy and implementation — Requires coordination to deconflict investigations, defines who may access victim information, and sets a three-year deadline to implement key sections.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More HSI staff, training, and privacy
If enacted, the bill would require DHS to hire and equip more staff to find and rescue child victims. It would require at least 40 forensics analysts, 30 child exploitation investigators for the Victim Identification Laboratory, and 130 more analysts and investigators in HSI Special Agent in Charge offices. DHS would set up a Victim Identification Training Program at the Cyber Crimes Center and may hire temporary experts at daily pay up to the GS-15 rate for up to one year. The bill would let HSI use direct-hire rules to speed those hires unless 97% of the positions are already filled, and HSI must report starting within 1 year and for the next four years on use of that hiring authority. Covered persons would have to keep victim identifying information secure and could only use or share it for limited purposes like investigation, medical referrals, federal victim services, required reporting, or law enforcement coordination. DHS must complete the hiring, training program, and related coordination steps within 3 years of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lee (FL)
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]
OH • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]
NE • R
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5]
CO • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Smith (MO)
MO • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Moore (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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