Sign the petition to demand Congress vote on this proposed federal law, inspired by my daughter Angelina. The Angelina Act. My five year old daughter Angelina was illegally removed from me with no due process on May 25, 2023 in New Haven Superior Court by a corrupt family court judge named Jane Kupson Grossman. You can watch the full hearing on my Youtube Channel Pro Legal Solutions, and it is also seen here below:

 

 

For the past 2 years now, I have been fighting every single day for justice, while the State of Connecticut has been retaliating more and more against me. My daughter Angelina is the one who is being hurt the most by this, because her voice is being suppressed and her rights are being violated. She is innocent in all off this and deserves justice. She deserves a chance at life and a normal future, just like every other child. I am asking that you please support the federal legislation that I drafted myself, The ANGELINA ACT, in honor of my baby girl.

Protect Vulnerable Children: Support the ANGELINA Act to Reform Child Abuse Investigations

Every day, children subjected to sexual abuse face systemic failures that compound their trauma, while parents who bravely report suspected crimes risk losing custody of their children.

The Accountability for Negligence in Investigations Guaranteeing Every Law Enforcement Officer Is Never Malfeasant in Abuse Cases Act of 2025 (ANGELINA Act), introduced to Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Richard Blumenthal, confronts these injustices head-on by revolutionizing how child sexual abuse cases are investigated, prosecuted, and adjudicated.

This comprehensive legislation addresses decades of documented failures in family courts, law enforcement protocols, and child protection systems—failures that have allowed abusers to evade accountability and silenced countless victims.

The Crisis in Child Abuse Investigations

1. Developmentally Harmful Interrogation Practices
   Current forensic interview methods often traumatize children under six by using psychologically inappropriate techniques. Young victims—still developing language and cognitive skills—are subjected to leading questions, marathon interview sessions, and coercive environments that distort their testimony. The ANGELINA Act mandates age-appropriate tools like play-based interviews, anatomical dolls, and child-friendly vocabulary to prevent retraumatization during investigations.
2. Retaliatory Custody Battles: Parents who report abuse face a cruel paradox: nearly 80% lose custody to the alleged abuser in family courts. Judges routinely dismiss credible abuse claims as “parental alienation,” stripping protective parents of visitation rights without due process. The bill prohibits custody modifications based solely on good-faith abuse reports and guarantees legal representation for indigent families.
3.  Premature Case Closures Law enforcement agencies close 38% of child sexual abuse cases within 72 hours—often before interviewing key witnesses or analyzing medical evidence. The ANGELINA Act criminalizes such negligence, requiring investigators to review all medical records, conduct forensic device analyses, and maintain evidence for 20 years.
4.  Institutional Immunity: Agencies currently face no repercussions for botched investigations. This legislation establishes an Independent Child Abuse Investigation Review Board with power to reopen cases, refer matters to the FBI, and discipline negligent officials. Victims gain a federal right to sue agencies that violate investigative standards.

How the ANGELINA Act Protects Children and Families
1. Forensic Interview Reforms
 • Parental Presence: Children under six may be interviewed only with their reporting parent present, preventing coercive isolation.
 • Expert Oversight: Licensed child psychologists must review all interviews for signs of coaching or coercion.
 • Mandatory Arrests: Law enforcement must arrest alleged abusers within 24 hours if physical/digital evidence corroborates disclosures.
2. Family Court Safeguards
 • Anti-Retaliation Orders: Judges cannot mandate psychological evaluations, supervised visitation, or reunification therapy without criminal clearance of abuse claims.
 • Right to Appeal: Families may challenge biased custody rulings using fresh forensic evidence, even after case closure.
3. Victim Support Systems
 • Relocation Assistance: The Department of Justice will fund housing, school transfers, and job relocation for families fleeing abusers.
 • Legal Aid: A $2 billion Child Sexual Abuse Victim and Family Support Fund covers attorneys’ fees, therapy costs, and lost wages during trials.
4. Accountability Measures
 • National Registry: All child abuse cases will be tracked in a federal database to identify repeat offenders and negligent agencies.
 • Whistleblower Protections: Mandated reporters can expose procedural violations without fear of termination.
 • Lifetime Prosecution Window: Eliminates statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse crimes, enabling prosecution until victims turn 55.
Why Your Signature Matters
Passing the ANGELINA Act will:
 • Prevent wrongful custody transfers to abusers by requiring “clear and convincing evidence” of false reporting before penalizing parents.
 • Train 12,000+ professionals in trauma-informed interviewing through a national certification program.
 • Expose systemic cover-ups via federal audits of police departments and family courts with high case dismissal rates.
Without this law, children will continue facing dismissive interrogations, protective parents will lose legal rights, and predators will exploit jurisdictional gaps to evade justice.

Act Now: Demand that Congress prioritize this landmark legislation. By signing, you endorse:
 • Immediate arrest protocols for corroborated abuse claims
 • Lifetime access to civil lawsuits for survivors
 • Federal penalties for agencies that ignore evidence
Every signature forces lawmakers to choose: protect children or protect abusers.

The full bill is below and a link to the full PDF is here:

Click here to read the full PDF version of Angelina's Law

The ANGELINA ACT

Accountability for Negligence in Investigations Guaranteeing Every Law Enforcement Officer Is Never Malfeasant in Abuse Cases 

Accountability for Negligence in Investigations Guaranteeing Every Law Enforcement Officer Is Never Malfeasant in Abuse Cases Act of 2025

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 101. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the "Accountability for Negligence in Investigations Guaranteeing Every Law Enforcement Officer Is Never Malfeasant in Abuse Cases Act of 2025" or the "ANGELINA Act."

 

Section 102. Findings and Purpose

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:

(1) Child sexual abuse investigations are frequently compromised by developmentally inappropriate interview techniques, particularly for children under 6 years of age.

(2) Parents who report suspected child abuse often face retaliatory custody decisions in family court proceedings without adequate due process protections.

(3) Law enforcement agencies routinely close child sexual abuse investigations prematurely without collecting sufficient evidence or conducting thorough interviews.

(4) Existing federal and state laws inadequately protect children and reporting parents from systemic failures in the investigation of child sexual abuse.

(5) Many victims and their families lack resources to secure legal representation, leading to inequitable outcomes in both criminal and family court proceedings.

 

(b) PURPOSE.—The purposes of this Act are:

(1) To establish uniform national standards for the investigation of child sexual abuse.

(2) To protect children under 6 years of age during forensic interviews.

(3) To safeguard the constitutional rights of children and reporting parents.

(4) To prevent retaliatory custody decisions against parents who report suspected abuse.

(5) To ensure accountability for agencies and individuals who fail to properly investigate child sexual abuse allegations.

(6) To provide legal remedies for victims and families whose rights are violated during investigations.

(7) To establish protections for victims and their families, including witness protection services.

 

Section 103. Definitions

In this Act:

(1) FORENSIC INTERVIEW.—The term "forensic interview" means a structured conversation conducted by professionals trained in child development and forensic techniques for the purpose of gathering information about alleged abuse in a manner that is legally defensible.

(2) PREMATURE CLOSURE.—The term "premature closure" means the termination of an investigation before:

(A) interviewing all material witnesses;

(B) reviewing all available medical evidence;

(C) allowing a minimum of 30 days for potential child disclosure; or

(D) conducting at least one interview with the child with the reporting parent present.

(3) REPORTING PARENT.—The term "reporting parent" means a parent, guardian, or other legally recognized caretaker who has reported suspected abuse of a child to law enforcement or child protective services.

(4) ALLEGED ABUSER.—The term "alleged abuser" means an individual who has been identified in a report to law enforcement or child protective services as having potentially committed acts of abuse against a child.

(5) COERCIVE INFLUENCE.—The term "coercive influence" means any attempt to intimidate, bribe, threaten, or otherwise influence a child to withhold or recant disclosures of abuse.

 

TITLE II—INVESTIGATION STANDARDS

Section 201. Forensic Interview Requirements for Children Under 6

(a) PARENTAL AND LEGAL PRESENCE.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Any forensic interview conducted with a child under 6 years of age shall include:

(A) The presence of the reporting parent, unless such parent is under active criminal investigation for participating in the alleged abuse;

(B) The presence of legal counsel for the reporting parent, if requested; and

(C) The presence of a court-appointed advocate for the child.

(2) EXCEPTION.—A reporting parent may be excluded from a forensic interview only upon a judicial finding, by clear and convincing evidence, that the parent's presence would compromise the integrity of the investigation due to documented evidence of coaching or manipulation.

 

(b) DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE TECHNIQUES.—

(1) REQUIRED TOOLS.—All forensic interviews with children under 6 years of age shall incorporate:

(A) Age-appropriate communication tools, including anatomically correct dolls;

(B) Drawing materials;

(C) Play-based interview techniques; and

(D) Child-friendly vocabulary appropriate to the child's developmental stage.

(2) TIME LIMITATIONS.—No forensic interview session with a child under 6 years of age shall exceed 45 minutes without a break of at least 15 minutes.

(3) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—Forensic interviewers conducting interviews with children under 6 years of age shall complete specialized training in developmental psychology and trauma-informed interview techniques specific to early childhood.

 

(c) COERCION DETECTION.—

(1) EXPERT REVIEW.—All forensic interviews shall be recorded and reviewed by:

(A) A licensed child psychologist with certification in detecting suggestibility and coercion; and

(B) A professional with expertise in child development and communication.

(2) PERIODIC INTERVIEWS.—In cases where coercive influence is suspected, investigators shall conduct periodic follow-up interviews at intervals not to exceed 30 days.

 

Section 202. Investigation Protocol Requirements

(a) MINIMUM INVESTIGATIVE STANDARDS.—

(1) REQUIRED PROCEDURES.—No investigation into alleged child sexual abuse shall be closed until:

(A) At least one interview has been conducted with the child in the presence of the reporting parent and legal counsel, if requested;

(B) All medical evidence, including rape kits and physical examinations, has been fully processed and analyzed;

(C) All relevant electronic devices of the alleged abuser have been forensically examined; and

(D) Investigators have interviewed all material witnesses identified by either the reporting parent or discovered during the course of investigation.

(2) PROHIBITED CLOSURE.—No investigation shall be deemed "unfounded" or "unsubstantiated" solely on the basis of a child's non-disclosure during an initial forensic interview.

 

(b) EVIDENCE PRESERVATION.—

(1) RETENTION REQUIREMENTS.—All evidence collected during child sexual abuse investigations, including but not limited to:

(A) Audio and video recordings of interviews;

(B) Medical examination results;

(C) Photographs; and

(D) Written statements

shall be preserved for a period of not less than 20 years from the date of collection.

(2) CHAIN OF CUSTODY.—Law enforcement agencies shall maintain strict chain of custody documentation for all evidence related to child sexual abuse investigations.

 

(c) MANDATORY ARREST PROVISIONS.—

(1) ARREST REQUIREMENT.—Law enforcement officers shall effectuate an arrest of an alleged abuser within 24 hours when:

(A) A child makes a disclosure of sexual abuse that is documented through proper forensic interview techniques;

(B) Physical evidence supports the allegation of abuse; or

(C) Digital or documentary evidence corroborates the allegation of abuse.

(2) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.—In cases where an arrest is not made despite conditions in paragraph (1) being met, law enforcement shall provide written justification to:

(A) The reporting parent;

(B) The district attorney or equivalent prosecuting authority; and

(C) The state attorney general's office.

 

TITLE III—JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND PROTECTIONS

Section 301. Due Process Requirements in Family Court

(a) EVIDENTIARY STANDARDS.—

(1) CUSTODY MODIFICATION PROHIBITION.—No court shall modify custody or visitation arrangements to the detriment of a reporting parent based solely on allegations of abuse reported in good faith.

(2) STANDARD OF PROOF.—Any modification of custody or visitation based on allegations that a parent has falsely reported abuse shall require proof by clear and convincing evidence that:

(A) The report was made with actual knowledge of its falsity;

(B) The report was made with malicious intent; and

(C) The reporting parent had no reasonable basis to suspect abuse.

 

(b) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS.—

(1) RIGHT TO COUNSEL.—In any family court proceeding where custody or visitation may be modified due to allegations of child abuse:

(A) All parties shall have the right to counsel;

(B) Counsel shall be appointed for indigent parties; and

(C) The child shall be appointed a guardian ad litem with expertise in child sexual abuse.

(2) EVIDENTIARY RIGHTS.—Parties in family court proceedings involving allegations of child sexual abuse shall have the right to:

(A) Cross-examine all witnesses;

(B) Challenge expert testimony;

(C) Present exculpatory evidence; and

(D) Appeal adverse decisions.

 

(c) PROHIBITION ON RETALIATORY ORDERS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—No court shall issue orders that:

(A) Require supervised visitation for a reporting parent based solely on the act of reporting suspected abuse;

(B) Mandate psychological evaluations of reporting parents without independent evidence of mental health concerns directly related to parenting capacity;

(C) Impose financial sanctions on reporting parents for making good faith reports of suspected abuse; or

(D) Require "reunification therapy" with alleged abusers without criminal clearance of abuse allegations.

(2) PROHIBITION ON CUSTODY TRANSFER.—No court shall transfer custody of a child to an alleged abuser while criminal investigations or proceedings related to the alleged abuse remain pending.

 

Section 302. Witness Protection and Confidentiality

(a) ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Attorney General shall establish a national address confidentiality program for victims of child sexual abuse and their families.

(2) ELIGIBILITY.—The following individuals shall be eligible for participation in the address confidentiality program:

(A) Child victims of sexual abuse;

(B) Parents or guardians of child victims;

(C) Siblings of child victims; and

(D) Other household members residing with the child victim.

(3) SERVICES PROVIDED.—Participants in the address confidentiality program shall receive:

(A) A substitute address for public records and correspondence;

(B) Mail forwarding services;

(C) Confidentiality of voter registration records; and

(D) Nondisclosure of public utility and school enrollment information.

 

(b) RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Department of Justice shall establish a relocation assistance program for families affected by child sexual abuse.

(2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—Families shall be eligible for relocation assistance when:

(A) A child has disclosed sexual abuse;

(B) The alleged abuser knows the family's residence or frequently visits the vicinity; and

(C) A qualified mental health professional determines that continued proximity to the alleged abuser poses a risk of psychological harm to the child.

(3) ASSISTANCE PROVIDED.—Eligible families shall receive:

(A) Financial assistance for securing new housing;

(B) Moving expense reimbursement;

(C) School transfer assistance; and

(D) Employment relocation support.

(4) FUNDING.—Relocation assistance shall be funded through the Crime Victims Fund established under 34 U.S.C. § 20101.

 

Section 303. Specialized Prosecution Units

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—

(1) REQUIREMENT.—Each United States Attorney's Office shall establish a specialized Child Victims Unit devoted exclusively to the prosecution of crimes against children, including sexual abuse.

(2) STAFFING REQUIREMENTS.—Each Child Victims Unit shall include, at minimum:

(A) Prosecutors with at least 5 years of experience in criminal law;

(B) Victim advocates specifically trained in childhood trauma;

(C) Forensic interviewers meeting the certification requirements established under Section 307; and

(D) Investigators with specialized training in digital evidence collection and analysis.

 

(b) STATE COMPLIANCE.—

(1) GRANT ELIGIBILITY.—States shall be eligible for enhanced federal funding for prosecution services upon certification that:

(A) Each prosecutorial district with a population exceeding 200,000 has established a dedicated Child Victims Unit; and

(B) Such units maintain staffing ratios ensuring no prosecutor handles more than 25 active child abuse cases simultaneously.

(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Department of Justice shall provide technical assistance to states establishing specialized prosecution units, including:

(A) Model protocols for case intake and management;

(B) Training curricula for prosecutors and support staff; and

(C) Technology solutions for case tracking and analysis.

 

(c) PROSECUTORIAL STANDARDS.—

(1) PROHIBITED CONSIDERATIONS.—Prosecutors shall not decline to pursue charges based solely on:

(A) The relationship between the alleged perpetrator and the victim;

(B) The absence of physical evidence when testimony or other evidence exists; or

(C) Concerns about the child's ability to testify.

(2) VICTIM NOTIFICATION.—Prosecutors shall provide written justification to victims and their families when declining to pursue charges in child sexual abuse cases, including specific evidentiary deficiencies.

 

Section 304. National Database and Tracking System

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—

(1) NATIONAL REGISTRY.—The Attorney General shall establish a National Child Abuse Investigation Registry to track all reported cases of child sexual abuse nationwide.

(2) REQUIRED INFORMATION.—The registry shall include:

(A) Basic demographic information about alleged victims and perpetrators;

(B) Investigation status and outcomes;

(C) All forensic interviews conducted;

(D) Medical examinations performed; and

(E) Prosecutorial decisions.

 

(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—

(1) MANDATORY PARTICIPATION.—All federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies shall report to the registry:

(A) Within 24 hours of receiving an initial report of suspected child sexual abuse;

(B) Within 48 hours of completing any investigative step; and

(C) Within 24 hours of making any charging decision or case closure.

(2) PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.—Agencies failing to comply with reporting requirements shall:

(A) Be ineligible for federal grants related to criminal justice or child welfare;

(B) Be subject to civil penalties not to exceed $10,000 per violation; and

(C) Have agency leadership subject to administrative sanctions.

 

(c) CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL COORDINATION.—

(1) NOTIFICATION SYSTEM.—The registry shall automatically generate alerts when:

(A) Multiple reports involve the same alleged perpetrator across jurisdictions;

(B) A family under investigation relocates to a new jurisdiction; or

(C) Prior investigations involving the same parties were closed without resolution.

(2) INFORMATION SHARING.—Subject to privacy protections, authorized agencies shall have access to registry information relevant to active investigations.

 

Section 305. Independent Review Mechanism

(a) INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the Department of Justice an Independent Child Abuse Investigation Review Board.

(2) COMPOSITION.—The Board shall consist of:

(A) Three former prosecutors with extensive experience in child abuse cases;

(B) Three child psychologists or psychiatrists with forensic expertise;

(C) Three former law enforcement officers with investigative experience;

(D) Three victim advocates; and

(E) Three family law attorneys with experience representing protective parents.

(3) APPOINTMENT.—Board members shall be appointed by the Attorney General, subject to Senate confirmation, and shall serve 5-year staggered terms.

 

(b) MANDATORY REVIEW TRIGGERS.—

(1) AUTOMATIC REVIEW.—The Board shall automatically review investigations when:

(A) A child has made multiple disclosures that did not result in prosecution;

(B) A reporting parent has lost custody after reporting suspected abuse;

(C) Multiple professionals have reported suspected abuse of the same child without resulting prosecution; or

(D) Upon petition by a reporting parent demonstrating procedural irregularities.

(2) REVIEW AUTHORITY.—The Board shall have authority to:

(A) Access all investigative materials;

(B) Interview investigators, prosecutors, and witnesses;

(C) Order additional investigative steps; and

(D) Make binding recommendations for case reopening.

 

(c) REMEDIAL POWERS.—

(1) UPON FINDING OF DEFICIENCIES.—If the Board determines an investigation was inadequate, it may:

(A) Order reinvestigation by a different agency;

(B) Refer the matter to the FBI for federal investigation;

(C) Recommend disciplinary action against responsible officials; and

(D) Issue public reports identifying systemic failures.

(2) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Board decisions shall be subject to judicial review only for abuse of discretion.

 

Section 306. Extended Statute of Limitations

(a) CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.—

(1) FEDERAL OFFENSES.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be no statute of limitations for any federal offense involving the sexual abuse of a child.

(2) STATE COMPLIANCE.—States shall, as a condition of receiving federal criminal justice funding, extend or eliminate statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse offenses to allow prosecution until the victim reaches the age of 55.

 

(b) CIVIL ACTIONS.—

(1) FEDERAL CAUSE OF ACTION.—Any person who was a victim of sexual abuse as a minor may bring a civil action in federal court against:

(A) The perpetrator;

(B) Any person or entity that knowingly facilitated the abuse; or

(C) Any agency that negligently failed to investigate or prevent the abuse.

(2) LIMITATIONS PERIOD.—Such civil action may be commenced until the plaintiff reaches the age of 55, or within 7 years of discovering the connection between the injury and the abuse, whichever is later.

(3) DAMAGES.—In addition to compensatory damages, courts may award punitive damages and attorney's fees in actions brought under this subsection.

 

(c) RETROACTIVITY.—

(1) REVIVAL PERIOD.—This section shall apply retroactively to revive claims that would otherwise be time-barred, provided that:

(A) The plaintiff files within 3 years of the effective date of this Act; and

(B) The claim would have been valid under the substantive law existing at the time of the alleged abuse.

(2) CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE.—If any portion of this subsection is held unconstitutional, the remainder shall remain in effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

Section 307. Mandatory Training and Certification

(a) NATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Attorney General shall establish a National Child Abuse Investigation Certification Program.

(2) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.—The following professionals shall obtain certification under this program before participating in child sexual abuse investigations:

(A) Law enforcement officers assigned to such cases;

(B) Forensic interviewers;

(C) Child protective services workers;

(D) Prosecutors handling such cases; and

(E) Judges presiding over family court or criminal proceedings involving allegations of child sexual abuse.

(3) CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS.—Certification shall require completing training in:

(A) Child development and psychology;

(B) Trauma-informed interviewing techniques;

(C) Medical aspects of child sexual abuse;

(D) Detecting coaching and false allegations;

(E) Digital evidence collection and analysis; and

(F) Cultural competency and implicit bias.

 

(b) INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—

(1) AGENCY CERTIFICATION.—Law enforcement agencies and child protection agencies shall obtain institutional certification demonstrating:

(A) At least 75% of relevant staff hold individual certifications;

(B) Implementation of evidence-based protocols for investigation; and

(C) Regular independent case audits for quality assurance.

(2) JUDICIAL EDUCATION.—The Federal Judicial Center shall develop specialized training for federal judges, and states shall require similar training for family court judges on:

(A) Scientific research on child sexual abuse disclosures;

(B) The dynamics of domestic violence and child abuse; and

(C) Recognition of witness intimidation and coaching.

 

(c) CONTINUING EDUCATION.—

(1) RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS.—Individual certifications shall be renewed biennially upon completion of:

(A) 40 hours of continuing education; and

(B) Satisfactory peer review of handled cases.

(2) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Agencies shall maintain and report certification status of all personnel to the Department of Justice.

 

Section 308. Financial Support Structures

(a) VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Child Sexual Abuse Victim and Family Support Fund in the Treasury of the United States.

(2) FUNDING SOURCE.—The Fund shall be financed by:

(A) Annual appropriations;

(B) 10% of assets seized in connection with child exploitation crimes;

(C) Special assessments on persons convicted of child sex offenses; and

(D) Civil penalties assessed under this Act.

 

(b) ELIGIBLE EXPENSES.—

(1) DIRECT SUPPORT.—The Fund shall provide financial assistance to reporting parents and victims for:

(A) Legal representation in family and criminal proceedings;

(B) Forensic and expert witness fees;

(C) Medical and mental health treatment related to abuse;

(D) Lost wages resulting from participation in investigations and court proceedings;

(E) Emergency relocation expenses; and

(F) Childcare expenses during legal proceedings.

(2) APPLICATION PROCESS.—The Attorney General shall establish a streamlined application process requiring:

(A) Verification of an active investigation or proceeding;

(B) Documentation of expenses; and

(C) Attestation of financial need.

 

(c) FAMILY PRESERVATION SUPPORT.—

(1) HOUSING ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall:

(A) Establish emergency housing vouchers for families displaced by abuse allegations;

(B) Prohibit discrimination against reporting parents in public and subsidized housing; and

(C) Create safe housing units specifically for families in the child protection system.

(2) EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS.—The Secretary of Labor shall:

(A) Extend job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover court appearances and meetings with investigators;

(B) Prohibit employment discrimination against parents involved in child abuse proceedings; and

(C) Provide unemployment benefits to parents who must leave employment to protect their children.

 

Section 309. Special Protections for Vulnerable Populations

(a) CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.—

(1) SPECIALIZED PROTOCOLS.—The Attorney General shall develop specialized investigation protocols for cases involving children with:

(A) Cognitive disabilities;

(B) Communication disorders;

(C) Physical disabilities; and

(D) Sensory impairments.

(2) ACCOMMODATIONS.—In addition to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, investigations involving children with disabilities shall include:

(A) Involvement of specialists in the specific disability;

(B) Modified interview techniques appropriate to the child's abilities;

(C) Assistive technology and communication devices; and

(D) Extended timeframes to accommodate the child's needs.

 

(b) PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—

(1) PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.—No reporting parent shall face adverse action in an investigation or family court proceeding based solely on their disability status.

(2) REQUIRED ACCOMMODATIONS.—Parents with disabilities shall receive:

(A) Communication accommodations throughout all proceedings;

(B) Modified services to accommodate physical or cognitive limitations;

(C) Specialized advocates familiar with both the disability and child protection system; and

(D) Adaptive parenting equipment and support when evaluating parenting capacity.

 

(c) CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE FAMILIES.—

(1) CULTURAL COMPETENCY STANDARDS.—The Attorney General shall establish standards ensuring:

(A) Qualified interpreters throughout all proceedings;

(B) Culturally-informed forensic interviews;

(C) Engagement of cultural consultants when needed; and

(D) Investigation protocols that recognize cultural variations in family structure, communication, and parenting practices.

(2) PROHIBITION ON CULTURAL BIAS.—No investigation or court decision shall rely on cultural stereotypes or assumptions, and all evaluations must distinguish between cultural practices and abuse.

 

Section 310. Whistleblower Protections

(a) PROTECTED DISCLOSURES.—

(1) COVERED INDIVIDUALS.—The following individuals are protected under this section:

(A) Law enforcement officers;

(B) Child protective services workers;

(C) Medical professionals;

(D) Mental health professionals;

(E) School personnel;

(F) Court personnel; and

(G) Any person involved in child abuse investigations or proceedings.

(2) PROTECTED ACTIVITIES.—No person may be discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or discriminated against for:

(A) Reporting violations of this Act;

(B) Testifying about investigation deficiencies;

(C) Assisting victims in seeking review of closed cases;

(D) Providing information to the Independent Review Board; or

(E) Refusing to participate in investigations that violate standards established by this Act.

 

(b) ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS.—

(1) ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY.—A person who believes they have been subjected to prohibited retaliation may file a complaint with the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General.

(2) INVESTIGATION REQUIREMENT.—The Inspector General shall:

(A) Investigate complaints within 30 days;

(B) Make preliminary findings within 90 days; and

(C) Issue a final determination within 180 days.

(3) REMEDIES.—Substantiated complaints shall result in:

(A) Reinstatement with back pay and benefits;

(B) Compensatory damages;

(C) Attorney's fees and costs; and

(D) Injunctive relief including removal of negative personnel actions.

 

(c) ANTI-GAG PROVISION.—

(1) PROHIBITED CLAUSES.—No employer may enforce any agreement or policy that would:

(A) Prohibit disclosure of child abuse investigation deficiencies;

(B) Require confidentiality regarding procedural violations; or

(C) Mandate arbitration of whistleblower claims.

(2) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.—Employers shall notify all employees of their rights under this section.

 

Section 311. Technological Standards for Investigations

(a) RECORDING REQUIREMENTS.—

(1) MANDATORY DOCUMENTATION.—All aspects of child sexual abuse investigations shall be recorded, including:

(A) Every interview with the child victim;

(B) All witness interviews;

(C) Crime scene processing;

(D) Evidence collection; and

(E) All meetings between investigators and prosecutors regarding case decisions.

(2) TECHNICAL STANDARDS.—The Attorney General shall establish minimum standards for:

(A) Audio and video quality;

(B) Chain of custody procedures for digital evidence;

(C) Secure storage and backup protocols; and

(D) Access controls and audit trails.

 

(b) DIGITAL FORENSICS CAPACITY.—

(1) EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING.—Each state shall, as a condition of receiving federal criminal justice funding, maintain:

(A) At least one digital forensics laboratory capable of analyzing electronic evidence in child sexual abuse cases;

(B) Mobile forensic capabilities for on-scene device examination; and

(C) Personnel trained in social media and cloud storage evidence recovery.

(2) PROCESSING TIMELINES.—Digital evidence in child sexual abuse cases shall be processed within:

(A) 7 days for priority items identified by investigators;

(B) 30 days for complete analysis of all seized devices; and

(C) Expedited timeframes when a child's safety is at immediate risk.

 

(c) PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.—

(1) RESTRICTED ACCESS.—Access to recordings and digital evidence shall be restricted to:

(A) Personnel directly involved in the investigation;

(B) Prosecutors assigned to the case;

(C) Defense counsel, pursuant to discovery rules;

(D) The Independent Review Board; and

(E) Court personnel as necessary for judicial proceedings.

(2) RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION.—Agencies shall:

(A) Retain all recordings and digital evidence for the period specified in Section 202;

(B) Implement secure destruction protocols after retention requirements expire; and

(C) Maintain audit logs of all access, copying, and destruction of evidence.

 

Section 312. Preventative Education and Screening

(a) PROFESSIONAL SCREENING STANDARDS.—

(1) MANDATORY BACKGROUND CHECKS.—Enhanced federal background checks shall be required for:

(A) All child protection workers;

(B) Forensic interviewers;

(C) Family court judges and personnel;

(D) Guardian ad litems and custody evaluators; and

(E) Other professionals regularly involved in child abuse cases.

(2) DISQUALIFYING OFFENSES.—Individuals shall be disqualified from these positions if convicted of:

(A) Any crime against children;

(B) Domestic violence offenses;

(C) Sexual offenses; or

(D) Perjury or falsification of evidence.

 

(b) PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.—

(1) NATIONAL AWARENESS PROGRAM.—The Department of Justice shall develop and implement a national public education campaign focused on:

(A) Recognizing signs of child sexual abuse;

(B) Appropriate reporting procedures;

(C) Rights of victims and families;

(D) Available support services; and

(E) Protections against retaliation.

(2) MANDATORY SCHOOL PROGRAMS.—States shall, as a condition of receiving federal education funding, implement age-appropriate prevention education in all public schools, including:

(A) Body safety education for elementary students;

(B) Healthy relationship education for secondary students;

(C) Information on reporting procedures; and

(D) Resources for students who have experienced abuse.

 

(c) PROFESSIONAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—

(1) MANDATORY RECIPIENTS.—The following professionals shall receive specialized training on recognizing and responding to child sexual abuse:

(A) Teachers and school administrators;

(B) Healthcare providers;

(C) Mental health professionals;

(D) Childcare providers;

(E) Youth organization leaders; and

(F) Religious leaders and clergy.

(2) TRAINING CONTENT.—Training shall cover:

(A) Legal reporting obligations;

(B) Recognition of physical and behavioral indicators;

(C) Trauma-informed response techniques;

(D) Documentation requirements; and

(E) Available resources for victims and families.

 

TITLE IV—ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES

Section 401. Private Right of Action

(a) FEDERAL CAUSE OF ACTION.—

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—A federal cause of action is established for violations of rights protected under this Act.

(2) ELIGIBLE PLAINTIFFS.—The following individuals may bring a civil action in federal district court:

(A) Child victims of sexual abuse;

(B) Parents or guardians of child victims; and

(C) Legal representatives acting on behalf of child victims.

(3) POTENTIAL DEFENDANTS.—Civil actions may be brought against:

(A) Individual forensic interviewers;

(B) Law enforcement agencies and officers;

(C) Child protective services agencies and employees;

(D) Judges acting outside their judicial capacity;

(E) Court-appointed personnel, including guardians ad litem and custody evaluators;

(F) State agencies responsible for investigating child abuse; and

(G) Any person acting under color of state law who violates rights protected under this Act.

 

(b) AVAILABLE REMEDIES.—

(1) MONETARY DAMAGES.—Successful plaintiffs shall be entitled to:

(A) Compensatory damages for economic losses, including:

(i) Legal fees incurred in family court proceedings;

(ii) Costs of psychological treatment;

(iii) Lost income; and

(iv) Relocation expenses.

(B) Compensatory damages for non-economic losses, including:

(i) Emotional distress;

(ii) Loss of parent-child relationship; and

(iii) Psychological trauma.

(C) Punitive damages in cases involving willful or wanton misconduct.

(2) EQUITABLE RELIEF.—Courts may order appropriate equitable relief, including:

(A) Injunctions against further constitutional violations;

(B) Reinstatement of custody or visitation rights;

(C) Reopening of prematurely closed investigations; and

(D) Mandated training for responsible agencies.

 

(c) QUALIFIED IMMUNITY LIMITATIONS.—

(1) INAPPLICABILITY.—The defense of qualified immunity shall not apply to claims brought under this section when:

(A) The defendant failed to follow mandatory procedures established by this Act;

(B) The defendant acted with deliberate indifference to the constitutional rights of the plaintiff; or

(C) The defendant engaged in conduct that a reasonable person would understand violates clearly established statutory or constitutional rights.

 

Section 402. Federal Oversight and Enforcement

(a) ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.—

(1) DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.—The Attorney General shall have authority to:

(A) Investigate patterns or practices of violations of this Act;

(B) File civil actions against state and local agencies for declaratory and injunctive relief; and

(C) Intervene in private actions brought under Section 401.

(2) OFFICE OF CHILD PROTECTION.—There is established within the Department of Justice an Office of Child Protection, which shall:

(A) Monitor compliance with this Act;

(B) Collect and analyze data on child sexual abuse investigations;

(C) Issue regulations and guidance for implementation of this Act; and

(D) Provide technical assistance to state and local agencies.

 

(b) FUNDING CONDITIONS.—

(1) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.—States seeking federal funding for law enforcement, child welfare, or family court programs shall certify compliance with this Act.

(2) FUNDING REDUCTION.—States failing to certify compliance shall face a reduction of:

(A) 15 percent of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding;

(B) 15 percent of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act funding; and

(C) 15 percent of Family Violence Prevention and Services Act funding.

(3) WAIVER.—The Attorney General may waive funding reductions upon submission and approval of a corrective action plan.

 

TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 501. Implementation Timeline

(a) REGULATIONS.—The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations implementing this Act not later than 180 days after the date of enactment.

(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The provisions of this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment.

(c) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.—All agencies subject to this Act shall ensure that relevant personnel receive training on the requirements of this Act within 18 months of enactment.

 

Section 502. Severability

If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

 

Section 503. Preemption

This Act preempts conflicting State laws to the extent such laws provide lesser protections than those established by this Act. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt State laws that provide greater protections for child victims and reporting parents.