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119-hr-8757119th Congress

Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would define and protect reasonable childhood independence (RCIs) and change child welfare rules so parents can let children do age-appropriate activities without fear of unwarranted reports or separation.

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  • Families: Parents would be explicitly protected so allowing RCIs is not child abuse or neglect unless there was an unreasonable disregard of a foreseeable risk of serious harm. The bill adds assurances that parents will not face criminal or civil charges, custody assessments, mandated services, or child abuse registry listings solely for permitting RCIs.
  • State child welfare agencies: The Marylee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program would require state plans to include policies and staff training to address RCI-related reports and to prevent unnecessary or traumatic investigations and parent-child separation.
  • HHS and CAPTA: The bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to complete a study within 180 days with recommendations on supporting RCIs, community supports, and reviewing risk-assessment and investigative practices. It also updates the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act definitions and grant language to list RCI examples and require training and protocols that make clear RCIs are not child abuse.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Protect parents allowing child independence

If enacted, the bill would add a formal CAPTA definition of “reasonable childhood independence activities.” It would list examples like playing alone, walking or biking to school, using public transit, running errands, babysitting younger children, or waiting in a safe place for a reasonable time. The bill would say a parent allowing these activities would not be child abuse or neglect unless the parent unreasonably ignored a foreseeable risk of serious harm. It would also require CAPTA grants and certain federal child-welfare state plans to fund training, risk-assessment tools, and policies that teach workers these activities do not by themselves justify investigations or removing children.

Effective date and state delay rules

If enacted, the bill would take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year after enactment. Federal payments, grants, and funds would apply to calendar quarters starting on or after that date. The HHS Secretary could delay finding a State noncompliant if the State needs to change law to meet the new requirements. The delay would end after the State's first regular legislative session that begins after enactment, though the Secretary could give an extension if the State shows good-faith efforts or submits a plan. For two-year legislative sessions, each year would count as a separate regular session.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

UT • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/15/2026

  • Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 7/13/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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