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HR8156119th CongressWALLET

National Parent and Youth Helpline Act

Sponsored By: Representative Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a national 24-hour parent and youth helpline that would give parents, caregivers, children, and youth free emotional support, guidance, and resources by phone, text, and live chat.

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  • Families and youth: Access 24-hour support for emotional distress, substance use, peer relationships, and school or educational concerns, plus weekly evidence-based mutual support groups.
  • Nonprofit operators: The Secretary may award a single nonprofit a grant for up to five years, with priority for groups already running national helplines and weekly support groups.
  • Oversight and evaluation: The helpline operator must submit performance reports and the Health and Human Services Secretary must report to Congress on implementation and effectiveness within three years.

*Authorizes up to $20.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to fund the program, increasing federal outlays by that amount annually.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Funding for National Parent Helpline

If enacted, the bill would authorize $20 million for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2032 to carry out the national parent and youth helpline. That sets a $20 million annual funding ceiling and totals $120 million in authorized spending across six years. This authorization would not itself appropriate money. Actual funding would depend on future Congress appropriations.

24-Hour Parent and Youth Helpline

If enacted, the bill would let HHS award a grant to one nonprofit to run a national, 24-hour, toll-free parent and youth helpline by phone, text, and live chat. The grantee would also run weekly evidence-based support groups nationwide, keep a resource website, and lead outreach to reach families. The grant could last up to five years. The grantee would report performance to HHS, and HHS would report to Congress on implementation and effectiveness within three years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

CA • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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