SHIELD for Victims Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal evidence-based lethality assessment tool to help law enforcement spot domestic violence victims at highest risk and connect them to local services. It also would require training for covered federal officers and a plan to tie federal officers into local response efforts.
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- Families and victims: Would give officers a model questionnaire and an assessment tool designed to identify victims at high risk of serious injury or death and to connect them with appropriate resources.
- Federal law enforcement officers: Would require training on the tool for covered federal officers, with the Attorney General publishing the tool within 1 year and officers receiving refreshers every 3 years.
- Local response and transparency: Would direct the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to publish curricula and materials and to deliver a report to Congress within 180 days on how to connect federal officers to local domestic violence response resources under the Lethality Assessment Program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Federal officer training on domestic violence tool
If enacted, the Director of the Homeland Security Act training centers would have to train every covered federal law enforcement officer on the new lethality assessment tool. Officers would get initial training and a refresher at least once every three years. The bill would define which federal officers are covered and require the Attorney General to publish the curriculum and materials. The Director would be responsible for delivering the training.
New police tool to spot domestic violence
If enacted, the Attorney General would have to develop and publish an evidence-based lethality assessment tool within one year. The tool would help law enforcement identify domestic violence victims and assess risk of serious injury or death. The Attorney General would have to consult experts, use best practices, and create a model questionnaire for the tool. The tool and questionnaire would be made publicly available for use.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7]
TN • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov