Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced
Summary
Creates an independent federal Children's Commission and a Children's Commissioner to put children's safety and well‑being at the center of federal policy. It would collect children's perspectives, review agency actions that affect kids, and push policy recommendations across health, education, justice, and social services.
Show full summary
- Children and families: The Commission would gather and publish children's views, review complaints about federal agencies, and produce kid‑friendly versions of reports to elevate children's voices.
- Policymakers and agencies: It would give Congress and federal agencies written input on laws, regulations, and reports, and may appear in court filings on matters affecting children.
- Structure and operations: A 15‑member panel appointed by the Comptroller General would be led by a five‑year Children's Commissioner, employ staff and consultants up to Senior Executive pay levels, and would be funded by authorized appropriations of $7.5 million annually from 2027 through 2034.
*This bill would authorize $7.5 million per year from 2027 through 2034, increasing federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Create independent children's commission
This bill would create a 15‑member independent Children's Commission. The Comptroller General would pick members after consulting the National Academies and must set up a candidate pool within 60 days and finish appointments within 120 days. The Commission would meet at least four times a year and hold its first meeting within 60 days after all members are appointed. Members would reflect geographic, racial, ethnic, and professional diversity and no more than half could be direct service providers to children.
Define children and marginalized youth
This bill would define key terms used by the Commission. A "child" would mean anyone from birth until age 18. "Marginalized youth" would mean people age 13 or older who face systemic barriers, and it lists groups such as foster youth, homeless youth, youth in juvenile justice, children with disabilities, and victims of trafficking. The bill would also define a "child impact statement" as an analysis of how a law, policy, regulation, or federal spending change would affect children.
Study and advise on child policy
This bill would give the Commission broad duties to study and advise on how laws, regulations, and programs affect children and marginalized youth. The Commission would take complaints about agency actions, publish reports, recommend policy changes, and run or fund research when data are missing. It would study the feasibility of agency "child impact statements" and report to Congress within 180 days after all members are appointed. The Commission would also annually report the status of earlier child‑focused recommendations to Congress.
Give commission oversight and access
This bill would let the Commission request information from federal agencies, and agency heads would have to provide it when the Chair asks. The Government Accountability Office would have unrestricted access to the Commission's nonproprietary records and could audit the Commission. The Children's Commissioner would be allowed to appear as amicus curiae in federal court cases reviewing agency rules to present the Commission's view on effects for children.
Children's Commissioner and staffing rules
This bill would create a Children's Commissioner to run the Commission, appointed for a five‑year term and limited to two terms. The Commissioner could hire staff without standard federal hiring rules, but staff pay would be capped at the Executive Schedule level V rate. Non‑federal Commission members would be paid a daily rate tied to Executive Schedule level IV and receive travel pay. The Commissioner could also contract for experts and detail federal employees without reimbursement.
Fund commission with annual appropriation
This bill would authorize $7,500,000 for each fiscal year 2027 through 2034 to carry out the Act. Any money appropriated would remain available until spent. The Commission would also be allowed to accept gifts or donations of services or property to support its work.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov