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119-hr-8245119th CongressWALLET

GRACIE Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a federal grant program to require states to record and retain all child welfare interviews for five years. It would pay states to build recording and storage systems and set rules on who can access recordings, penalties for misuse, and federal audits.

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  • Caregivers and children: Caregivers could request recordings in judicial proceedings and courts must provide them unless the judge orders otherwise. Initial family-assessment interviews would be recorded when practicable.
  • State child welfare agencies: States would need a statute, ordinance, policy, or practice to record every child welfare interview and keep recordings at least 5 years. Grants would cover only costs directly tied to recording and retention and applicants must explain implementation challenges and plans.
  • Federal oversight and funding: The Children’s Bureau would award grants and have audit access to state records and systems. Funding is capped at $30.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

*Would increase federal spending by up to $180.0 million over fiscal years 2026–2031.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Recording child welfare interviews for families

If enacted, the bill would give grants to States to require, record, and keep all child welfare interviews. Grants would pay only costs tied to making and storing recordings, including initial family-assessment interviews when practical. Recordings would have to be kept at least 5 years in secure storage with access controls and role-based permissions. Copies could be released to government agencies investigating or prosecuting an allegation, but a caregiver or guardian could request a copy for a court case unless a judge orders otherwise. States receiving grants would need a statute, ordinance, policy, or practice requiring recordings, must impose penalties for improper release, and must keep records for federal audits. The program would be capped at up to $30,000,000 per year for each fiscal year 2026 through 2031.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]

MO • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/9/2026

  • Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 4/9/2026

  • Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 4/9/2026

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

  • Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 7/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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