All Roll Calls
Yes: 373 • No: 33
118-s-1351118th Congress
Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act
Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Became Law
Summary
A federally coordinated, data-driven study to identify and prevent child abuse in youth residential programs. This law directs the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academies to produce an initial study and recurring reports to map abuse, funding, regulations, and best practices for safer, least-restrictive care.
Show full summary
- Families and youth: The reports will identify the nature, prevalence, severity, and causes of abuse and recommend trauma- and grief-informed, culturally competent care and community-based alternatives to placement. It aims to reduce use of seclusion and restraints and promote positive behavioral supports.
- State and Federal agencies: The study will map all Federal and State funding streams, catalog federal data sources, and offer recommendations to improve oversight and coordination of programs that receive federal funding.
- Service providers and accreditors: The Academies will identify existing licensing standards, accreditation practices, and gaps, and will recommend training and standards to improve health, safety, and care quality.
- Researchers, advocates, and communities: The work requires broad stakeholder consultation and will produce publicly available reports and recurring guidance every 3 years then every 2 years across a 10-year period.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
National study of youth residential programs
The law requires HHS to hire the National Academies within 45 days. An initial report is due within 3 years, then every 2 years for 10 years. Reports track abuse, neglect, deaths, funding, rules, and data in youth residential programs and are public. They recommend safer care, less seclusion and restraints, better oversight, staff training, and community options. “Youth” means under age 22. Covered settings include group homes, wilderness programs, boot camps, boarding and treatment schools, and similar facilities; State‑licensed hospitals and licensed foster family homes are excluded. The Academies consult families, youth with lived experience, providers, states, Tribes, and federal agencies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 4/27/2023
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/27/2023
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 4/27/2023
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/27/2023
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 4/27/2023
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 5/10/2023
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
WY • R
Sponsored 5/10/2023
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/11/2023
Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]
OK • R
Sponsored 7/11/2023
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
KS • R
Sponsored 9/14/2023
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
WV • R
Sponsored 9/19/2023
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 9/28/2023
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 10/4/2023
Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 10/17/2023
Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
NE • R
Sponsored 10/25/2023
Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 11/2/2023
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 11/14/2023
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 12/14/2023
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 1/9/2024
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 1/9/2024
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/18/2024
Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 2/1/2024
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 2/26/2024
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 12/18/2024
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 373 • No: 33