National Parent and Youth Helpline Act

119 HR 8156 IH: National Parent and Youth Helpline Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-03-27 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8156 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 27, 2026 Mrs. Torres of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce A BILL To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a grant program to support the establishment of a national, toll-free telephone helpline to provide information and assistance to parents, caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Parent and Youth Helpline Act . 2. Findings Congress finds as follows: (1) There are approximately 174,000,000 parents, caregivers, and youth in the United States. (2) Many parents, caregivers, and youth often do not have an immediate connection to someone who can offer trusted guidance when facing personal challenges. (3) Parents, caregivers, and youth could benefit from an effective helpline that fosters the strengths parents have, which would improve family relationships, as well as community life and society overall to foster the future for American children and families. (4) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services will support parents and caregivers in positively addressing child development concerns and responding to child maltreatment, substance misuse, and other personal and family challenges. (5) Congress recognizes that helpline prevention services promote safety and stability by reducing harmful influences and encouraging protective behaviors through weekly, trusted, and stable engagement programs. 3. Grant to establish a national parent and youth helpline Title I of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 103 the following: 103A. Grant to establish a national parent and youth helpline (a) In general The Secretary may award a grant to one nonprofit entity to— (1) provide for the establishment and ongoing operation of a national, toll-free telephone parent and youth helpline, as described in subsection (d), to provide personal guidance and trusted assistance to parents, caregivers, and youth to prevent child abuse and strengthen families through calls, texts, and live chats; (2) create and maintain a website with vital information and resources for parents, caregivers, and youth to address a broad spectrum of family issues related to emotional, social, behavioral, and educational well-being; and (3) develop and implement comprehensive outreach strategies to reach parents, caregivers, and youth nationwide. (b) Priority In awarding the grant under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an entity— (1) with experience in operating a national parent and youth helpline that provides guidance and emotional support to parents, caregivers, and youth; and (2) that operates weekly, evidence-based mutual support groups. (c) Duration The grant under this section may be awarded for a period of not more than 5 years. (d) Helpline activities The entity that receives the grant under this section shall use the grant— (1) to establish and operate a 24-hour, national, toll-free telephone helpline to provide (through calls, texts, and live chats)— (A) emotional support and assistance to parents, caregivers, children, and youth of all ages who are facing personal challenges, including emotional distress, substance abuse, peer relationships, and educational concerns related to their well-being; and (B) weekly, trusted mutual support groups held across the country to promote family stability and encourage skills that help strengthen households; and (2) to carry out activities in support of the helpline, including— (A) implementing comprehensive outreach strategies to reach parents, caregivers, and youth nationwide; (B) distributing relevant information and resources to parents, caregivers, and youth; and (C) maintaining a website to provide information about the helpline. (e) Performance reports The entity that receives the grant under this section shall submit a performance report to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Such performance report shall include— (1) a description of the activities carried out with the grant; (2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities; and (3) such additional information as the Secretary determines appropriate. (f) Report to Congress Not later than three years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report addressing the implementation and effectiveness of the national parent and youth helpline funded with the grant under this section. (g) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032. .