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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2021
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 233, I call up the bill (H.R. 1620) to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-3, modified by the amendment printed in part A of House Report 117-12, is adopted, and the bill, as amended, is considered read.
The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:
H.R. 1620
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Universal definitions and grant conditions.
Sec. 3. Agency and Department Coordination.
Sec. 4. Effective date.
Sec. 5. Availability of funds.
Sec. 6. Sense of Congress.
TITLE I--ENHANCING LEGAL TOOLS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING
VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING
Sec. 101. Stop grants.
Sec. 102. Grants to encourage improvements and alternatives to the criminal justice response.
Sec. 103. Legal assistance for victims.
Sec. 104. Grants to support families in the justice system.
Sec. 105. Outreach and services to underserved populations grants.
Sec. 106. Criminal provisions.
Sec. 107. Rape survivor child custody.
Sec. 108. Enhancing culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Sec. 109. Grants for lethality assessment programs.
TITLE II--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS
Sec. 201. Sexual assault services program.
Sec. 202. Sexual Assault Services Program.
Sec. 203. Rural domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child abuse enforcement assistance program.
Sec. 204. Grants for training and services to end violence against people with disabilities and Deaf people.
Sec. 205. Training and services to end abuse in later life.
Sec. 206. Demonstration program on trauma-informed, victim-centered training for law enforcement.
TITLE III--SERVICES, PROTECTION, AND JUSTICE FOR YOUNG VICTIMS
Sec. 301. Rape prevention and education grant.
Sec. 302. Creating hope through outreach, options, services, and education (CHOOSE) for children and youth.
Sec. 303. Grants to combat violent crimes on campuses.
TITLE IV--VIOLENCE REDUCTION PRACTICES
Sec. 401. Study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Sec. 402. Saving Money and Reducing Tragedies (SMART) through
Prevention grants.
TITLE V--STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS RESPONSE
Sec. 501. Grants to strengthen the healthcare systems response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
TITLE VI--SAFE HOMES FOR VICTIMS
Sec. 601. Housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Sec. 602. Ensuring compliance and implementation; prohibiting retaliation against victims.
Sec. 603. Protecting the right to report crime from one's home.
Sec. 604. Transitional housing assistance grants for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Sec. 605. Addressing the housing needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Sec. 606. United States Housing Act of 1937 amendments.
TITLE VII--ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR VICTIMS
Sec. 701. Findings.
Sec. 702. National Resource Center on workplace responses to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Sec. 703. Provisions related to Unemployment Compensation and the
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program.
Sec. 704. Study and reports on barriers to survivors' economic security access.
Sec. 705. GAO Study.
Sec. 706. Education and information programs for survivors.
Sec. 707. Severability.
TITLE VIII--HOMICIDE REDUCTION INITIATIVES
Sec. 801. Prohibiting persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes against dating partners and persons subject to protection orders.
Sec. 802. Prohibiting stalkers and individuals subject to court order from possessing a firearm.
TITLE IX--SAFETY FOR INDIAN WOMEN
Sec. 901. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 902. Authorizing funding for the Tribal access program.
Sec. 903. Tribal jurisdiction over covered crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and assault of a law enforcement officer or corrections officer.
TITLE X--OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Sec. 1001. Establishment of Office on Violence Against Women.
Sec. 1002. Office on Violence Against Women a Deputy Director for
Culturally Specific Communities.
TITLE XI--IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY
Sec. 1101. Improving the treatment of primary caretaker parents and other individuals in federal prisons.
Sec. 1102. Public health and safety of women.
Sec. 1103. Research and report on women in federal incarceration.
Sec. 1104. Reentry planning and services for incarcerated women.
TITLE XII--LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY
Sec. 1201. Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited purchase or attempted purchase of a firearm.
Sec. 1202. Reporting of background check denials to state, local, and
Tribal authorities. Sec. 1203. Special assistant U.S. attorneys and cross-deputized attorneys.
TITLE XIII--CLOSING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSENT LOOPHOLE
Sec. 1301. Short title.
Sec. 1302. Prohibition on engaging in sexual acts while acting under color of law.
Sec. 1303. Incentives for States.
Sec. 1304. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 1305. Definition.
TITLE XIV--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 1401. National stalker and domestic violence reduction.
Sec. 1402. Federal victim assistants reauthorization.
Sec. 1403. Child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners reauthorization.
Sec. 1404. Sex offender management.
Sec. 1405. Court-appointed special advocate program.
Sec. 1406. Sexual assault forensic exam program grants.
Sec. 1407. Review on link between substance use and victims of domestic violence dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Sec. 1408. Interagency working group to study Federal efforts to collect data on sexual violence.
Sec. 1409. National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Sec. 1410. Deputy Assistant Attorney General on Culturally Specific
Communities within the Office of Justice Programs.
TITLE XV--CYBERCRIME ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 1501. Local law enforcement grants for enforcement of cybercrimes.
Sec. 1502. National Resource Center Grant.
Sec. 1503. National strategy, classification, and reporting on cybercrime.
TITLE XVI--KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE FROM FAMILY VIOLENCE
Sec. 1601. Short title.
Sec. 1602. Findings.
Sec. 1603. Purposes.
Sec. 1604. Definition of covered formula grant.
Sec. 1605. Increased funding for formula grants authorized.
Sec. 1606. Application.
Sec. 1607. Rule of construction.
Sec. 1608. Grant term.
Sec. 1609. Uses of funds.
Sec. 1610. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL DEFINITIONS AND GRANT CONDITIONS.
Section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``In this title'' and inserting ``In this title, and for the purpose of all grants authorized under this title'';
(B) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(5) Court-based and court-related personnel.--The terms
`court-based personnel' and `court-related personnel' mean persons working in the court, whether paid or volunteer, including--
``(A) clerks, special masters, domestic relations officers, administrators, mediators, custody evaluators, guardians ad litem, lawyers, negotiators, probation, parole, interpreters, victim assistants, victim advocates, and judicial, administrative, or any other professionals or personnel similarly involved in the legal process;
``(B) court security personnel;
``(C) personnel working in related, supplementary offices or programs (such as child support enforcement); and
``(D) any other court-based or community-based personnel having responsibilities or authority to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in the court system.'';
(C) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(8) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence' means a pattern of behavior involving the use or attempted use of physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse or any other coercive behavior committed, enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control over a victim, by a person who--
``(A) is a current or former spouse or dating partner of the victim, or other person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim;
``(B) is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or dating partner;
``(C) shares a child in common with the victim;
``(D) is an adult family member of, or paid or nonpaid caregiver in an ongoing relationship of trust with, a victim aged 50 or older or an adult victim with disabilities; or
``(E) commits acts against a youth or adult victim who is protected from those acts under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction.'';
(D) in paragraph (9)--
(i) by striking ``consideration of'' and inserting
``consideration of one or more of the following factors'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(iv) by inserting the following new subparagraph:
``(D) the cultural context of the relationship.'';
(E) in the matter following paragraph (9), by inserting the following:
``Sexual contact is not a necessary component of such a relationship.'';
(F) in paragraph (10)--
(i) by striking ``person--'' and inserting ``dating partner.''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(G) by striking paragraphs (11) and (12);
(H) by striking paragraph (19) and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(19) Legal assistance.--
``(A) The term `legal assistance' means assistance provided by or under the direct supervision of a person described in subparagraph (B) to a person described in subparagraph (C) relating to a matter described in subparagraph (D).
``(B) A person described in this subparagraph is--
``(i) a licensed attorney;
``(ii) in the case of an immigration proceeding, a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative; or
``(iii) any person who functions as an attorney or lay advocate in a Tribal court; and
``(C) A person described in this subparagraph is an adult or youth victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(D) A matter described in this subparagraph is a matter related to--
``(i) divorce, parental rights, child support, Tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus, education, healthcare, privacy, contract, consumer, civil rights, protection or order or other injunctive proceedings, related enforcement proceedings, and other similar matters;
``(ii) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions and post-conviction matters (including sentencing, parole, probation, and vacatur or expungement) that impact the victim's safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim; or
``(iii) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement.
For purposes of this paragraph, intake or referral, by itself, does not constitute legal assistance.'';
(I) in paragraph (39)--
(I) by inserting ``who cannot access, or'' before ``who face barriers'';
(II) by striking ``and using victim services'' and inserting ``, using, or receiving appropriate victim services''; and
(III) by striking ``alienage'' and inserting
``immigration'';
(H) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(46) Abuse in later life.--The term `abuse in later life'--
``(A) means--
``(i) neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, or willful harm of an adult aged 50 or older by an individual in an ongoing relationship of trust with the victim; or
``(ii) domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking of an adult aged 50 or older by any individual; and
``(B) does not include self-neglect.
``(47) Restorative practice.--The term `restorative practice' means a process, whether court-referred or community-based, that--
``(A) involves, on a voluntary basis, and to the extent possible, those who have committed a specific offense and those who have been harmed as a result of the offense, as well as the affected community;
``(B) has the goal of collectively seeking accountability from the accused, and developing a process whereby the accused will take responsibility for his or her actions, and a plan for providing relief to those harmed, through allocution, restitution, community service or other processes upon which the victim, the accused, the community, and the court (if court-referred) can agree;
``(C) is conducted in a framework that protects victim safety and supports victim autonomy; and
``(D) includes protocols to address the use of information disclosed during such process for other law enforcement purposes.
``(48) Digital services.--The term `digital services' means services, resources, information, support or referrals provided through electronic communications platforms and media, whether via mobile device technology, video technology, or computer technology, including utilizing the internet, as well as any other emerging communications technologies that are appropriate for the purposes of providing services, resources, information, support, or referrals for the benefit of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(49) Economic abuse.--The term `economic abuse', in the context of domestic violence, dating violence, and abuse in later life, means behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or unreasonably controls or restrains a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled, including using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to--
``(A) restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit, or financial information;
``(B) unfairly use a person's personal economic resources, including money, assets, and credit, for one's own advantage; or
``(C) exert undue influence over a person's financial and economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom one has a fiduciary duty.
``(50) Internet enabled device.--The term `internet enabled device' means devices that have a connection the Internet, send and receive information and data, and may be accessed via mobile device technology, video technology, or computer technology, away from the location where the device is installed, and may include home automation systems, door locks, and thermostats.
``(51) Technological abuse.--The term `technological abuse' means an act or pattern of behavior that occurs within domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking and is intended to harm, threaten, intimidate, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor, except as otherwise permitted by law, another person, that occurs using any form of information technology, including: internet enabled devices, online spaces and platforms, computers, mobile devices, cameras and imaging platforms, apps, location tracking devices, communication technologies, or any other emerging technologies.
``(52) Female genital mutilation.--The term `female genital mutilation' has the meaning given such term in section 116 of title 18, United States Code.
``(53) Elder abuse.--The term `elder abuse' has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act. The terms `abuse,' `elder,' and
`exploitation' have the meanings given those terms in section 2011 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397j).
``(54) Forced marriage.--The term `forced marriage' means a marriage to which one or both parties do not or cannot consent, and in which one or more elements of force, fraud, or coercion is present. Forced marriage can be both a cause and a consequence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.
``(55) Homeless.--The term `homeless' has the meaning given such term in section 41403(6).'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter before paragraph (1), by inserting ``For the purpose of all grants authorized under this title:'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
``(H) Death of the party whose privacy had been protected.--In the event of the death of any victim whose confidentiality and privacy is required to be protected under this subsection, such requirement shall continue to apply, and the right to authorize release of any confidential or protected information be vested in the next of kin, except that consent for release of the deceased victim's information may not be given by a person who had perpetrated abuse against the deceased victim.
``(I) Use of technology.--Grantees and subgrantees may use telephone, internet, and other technologies to protect the privacy, location and help-seeking activities of victims using services. Such technologies may include--
``(i) software, apps or hardware that block caller ID or conceal IP addresses, including instances in which victims use digital services; or
``(ii) technologies or protocols that inhibit or prevent a perpetrator's attempts to use technology or social media to threaten, harass or harm the victim, the victim's family, friends, neighbors or co-workers, or the program providing services to them.'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ``designed to reduce or eliminate domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking'' the following: ``, provided that the confidentiality and privacy requirements of this title are maintained, and that personally identifying information about adult, youth, and child victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking is not requested or included in any such collaboration or information-sharing'';
(D) in paragraph (6), by adding at the end the following:
``Such disbursing agencies must ensure that the confidentiality and privacy requirements of this title are maintained in making such reports, and that personally identifying information about adult, youth and child victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking is not requested or included in any such reports.'';
(E) in paragraph (8), by striking ``under this title'' and inserting ``under this title. In this title, including for the purpose of grants authorized under this title, the term
`violent crimes against women' includes violent crimes against a person of any gender.'';
(F) in paragraph (11), by adding at the end the following:
``The Office on Violence Against Women shall make all technical assistance available as broadly as possible to any appropriate grantees, subgrantees, potential grantees, or other entities without regard to whether the entity has received funding from the Office on Violence Against Women for a particular program or project.'';
(G) in paragraph (13)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by inserting after ``the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013'' the following: ``(Public Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54)''; and
(II) by striking ``the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (title IX of Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Office on Violence Against Women'' and inserting ``the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Office on Violence Against Women''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``section 3789d of title 42, United States Code'' and inserting ``section 809 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10228)'';
(H) in paragraph (14)
(i) by inserting after ``are also victims of'' the following: ``forced marriage, or''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and includes services and assistance to adult survivors of child sexual assault'' before the period at the end;
(I) by striking paragraph (15); and
(J) in paragraph (16)--
(i) by striking paragraph (A)(iii) and inserting the following new clause:
``(iii) Technical assistance.--A recipient of grant funds under this Act that is found to have an unresolved audit finding shall be eligible to receive prompt, individualized technical assistance to resolve the audit finding and to prevent future findings, for a period not to exceed the following 2 fiscal years.''; and
(ii) in paragraph (C)(i)--
(I) by striking ``$20,000'' and inserting ``$100,000''; and
(II) by striking ``unless the Deputy Attorney General or'' and inserting ``unless the Director or Principal Deputy Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, the Deputy Attorney General, or''.
SEC. 3. AGENCY AND DEPARTMENT COORDINATION.
The heads of Executive Departments responsible for carrying out this Act are authorized to coordinate and collaborate on the prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including sharing best practices and efficient use of resources and technology for victims and those seeking assistance from the Government.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not take effect until October 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Effective on Date of Enactment.--Sections 106, 107, 205, 304, 606, 702, 801, 802, 903, and 1406 and any amendments made by such sections shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
Any funds appropriated pursuant to an authorization of appropriations under this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress--
(1) that sex trafficking victims experience sexual violence and assault; and
(2) that Federal recognition of their recovery is important.
TITLE I--ENHANCING LEGAL TOOLS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING
VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING
SEC. 101. STOP GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10441 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 2001(b)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``including implementation of the non-discrimination requirements in section 40002(b)(13) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994'';
(B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and legal assistance'' after ``improving delivery of victim services'';
(C) in paragraph (9)--
(i) by striking ``older and disabled women'' and inserting
``people 50 years of age or over, people with disabilities, and Deaf people''; and
(ii) inserting ``legal assistance,'' after ``counseling,''; and
(iii) by striking ``older and disabled individuals'' and inserting ``people'';
(D) in paragraph (11), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``, including rehabilitative work with offenders, restorative practices, and similar initiatives'';
(E) in paragraph (19), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(F) in paragraph (20), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(G) by inserting after paragraph (20), the following:
``(21) developing and implementing laws, policies, procedures, or training to ensure the lawful recovery and storage of any dangerous weapon by the appropriate law enforcement agency from an adjudicated perpetrator of any offense of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and the return of such weapon when appropriate, where any Federal, State, Tribal, or local court has--
``(A)(i) issued protective or other restraining orders against such a perpetrator; or
``(ii) found such a perpetrator to be guilty of misdemeanor or felony crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(B) ordered the perpetrator to relinquish dangerous weapons that the perpetrator possesses or has used in the commission of at least one of the aforementioned crimes;Policies, procedures, protocols, laws, regulations, or training under this section shall include the safest means of recovery of, and best practices for storage of, relinquished and recovered dangerous weapons and their return, when applicable, at such time as the individual is no longer prohibited from possessing such weapons under Federal, State, or Tribal law, or posted local ordinances;
``(22) developing, enlarging, or strengthening culturally specific victim services programs to provide culturally specific victim services regarding, responses to, and prevention of female genital mutilation; and
``(23) providing victim advocates in State or local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, and courts and providing supportive services and advocacy to urban American Indian and Alaska Native victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.'';
(2) in section 2007--
(A) in subsection (d)--
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs
(7) and (8), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) proof of compliance with the requirements regarding training for victim-centered prosecution, described in section 2017;
``(6) proof of compliance with the requirements regarding civil rights under section 40002(b)(13) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994;'';
(B) in subsection (i)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``and the requirements under section 40002(b) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b))''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(C)(iv), by inserting after
``ethnicity,'' the following: ``sexual orientation, gender identity,''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Reviews for Compliance With Nondiscrimination Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--If allegations of discrimination in violation of section 40002(b)(13)(A) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(13)(A)) by a potential grantee under this part have been made to the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall, prior to awarding a grant under this part to such potential grantee, conduct a review and take steps to ensure the compliance of the potential grantee with such section.
``(2) Establishment of rule.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, the Attorney General shall by rule establish procedures for such a review.
``(3) Biennial report.--Beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, and once every 2 years thereafter, the Attorney General shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and of the House of Representatives regarding compliance with section 40002(b)(13)(A) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(13)(A)) by recipients of grants under this part, including a report on the number of complaints filed and the resolution of those complaints.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 2017. GRANT ELIGIBILITY REGARDING COMPELLING VICTIM
TESTIMONY.
``In order for a prosecutor's office to be eligible to receive funds under this part, the head of the office shall certify to the State, Indian Tribal government, or territorial government receiving a grant under this part, and from which the office will receive funds, that the office implemented and trained its personnel regarding victim-centered approaches in domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking cases, including policies addressing the use of bench warrants, body attachments, and material witness warrants for victims who fail to appear. The training shall be developed by experts in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and prosecution.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1001(a)(18) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10261(a)(18)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 102. GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND ALTERNATIVES
TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE.
(a) Heading.--Part U of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461 et seq.) is amended in the heading, by striking ``grants to encourage arrest policies'' and inserting ``grants to encourage improvements and alternatives to the criminal justice response''.
(b) Grants.--Section 2101 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this part is to assist States, Indian Tribal governments, State and local courts
(including juvenile courts), Tribal courts, and units of local government to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to seek safety and autonomy for victims.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``proarrest'' and inserting ``offender accountability and homicide reduction'';
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``legal advocacy service programs'' and inserting ``legal advocacy and legal assistance programs'';
(C) in paragraph (7), strike ``and tribal jurisdictions'' and insert ``tribal jurisdictions, coalitions, and victim service providers'';
(D) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by striking ``older individuals (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002))'' and inserting ``people 50 years of age or over''; and
(ii) by striking ``individuals with disabilities (as defined in section 3(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)))'' and inserting ``people with disabilities (as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)) and Deaf people'';
(E) in paragraph (19), by inserting before the period at the end the following ``, including victims among underserved populations (as defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994)''; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
``(25) To develop and implement restorative practices.
``(26) To develop and implement laws, policies, procedures, and training--
``(A) for the purpose of homicide prevention, preventing lethal assaults, and responding to threats of lethal assaults through effective enforcement of court orders prohibiting possession of and mandating the recovery of firearms from adjudicated domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking offenders; and
``(B) to address victim safety, safe storage of contraband during the pendency of the court order and, where appropriate, safe return of such contraband at the conclusion of the court order.
``(27) To develop and implement alternative methods of reducing crime in communities, to supplant punitive programs or policies. For purposes of this paragraph, a punitive program or policy is a program or policy that--
``(A) imposes a penalty on a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, on the basis of a request by the victim for law enforcement or emergency assistance; or
``(B) imposes a penalty on such a victim because of criminal activity at the property in which the victim resides.'';
(3) in subsection (c)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``encourage or mandate arrests of domestic violence offenders'' and inserting
``encourage arrests of offenders''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``encourage or mandate arrest of domestic violence offenders'' and inserting
``encourage arrest of offenders''; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
``(F) certify that, not later than 2 years after the date of its first award received under this subchapter after enactment of this subparagraph, the grantee has implemented and trained on victim-centered approaches to prosecution in domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking cases, including policies addressing the use of bench warrants, body attachments, and material witness warrants for victims who fail to appear, which have been developed by experts in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and prosecution; and''; and
(4) insert after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Allocation for Culturally Specific Services.--Of the amounts appropriated for purposes of this part for each fiscal year, not less than 5 percent shall be available for grants to culturally specific victim service providers.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1001(a)(19) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10261(a)(19)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 103. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS.
(a) In General.--Section 1201 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20121) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting after ``no cost to the victims.'' the following: ``When legal assistance to a dependent is necessary for the safety of a victim, such assistance may be provided.'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) any person providing legal assistance through a program funded under this section--
``(A)(i) is a licensed attorney or is working under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney;
``(ii) in immigration proceedings, is a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative; or
``(iii) is any person who functions as an attorney or lay advocate in tribal court; and
``(B)(i) has demonstrated expertise in providing legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in the targeted population; or
``(ii)(I) is partnered with an entity or person that has demonstrated expertise described in clause (i); and
``(II) has completed, or will complete, training in connection with domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault and related legal issues, including training on evidence-based risk factors for domestic and dating violence homicide;'';
(B) in paragraph (2), strike ``or local'' and insert the following: ``local, or culturally specific'';
(C) in paragraph (4), after ``dating violence,'' insert
``stalking,''; and
(3) in subsection (f)(1)--
(A) by striking ``$57,000,000'' and inserting
``$75,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
(b) GAO Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the return on investment for legal assistance grants awarded pursuant to section 1201 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20121), including an accounting of the amount saved, if any, on housing, medical, or employment social welfare programs.
SEC. 104. GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Section 1301 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 12464) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``educate'' and inserting ``(a) educate'';
(ii) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) establish community-based initiatives within the court system (such as court watch programs, victim assistants, pro se victim assistance programs, or community-based supplementary services);''.
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by striking ``to improve'' and inserting ``improve''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
``(9) develop and implement restorative practices (as such term is defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994).''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 105. OUTREACH AND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
GRANTS.
Section 120 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20123) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Purpose.--The purpose of this grant program is to ensure that all underserved populations (as such term is defined in section 40002 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)) are given non-exclusionary consideration in each grant cycle. Periodic priority may be placed on certain underserved populations and forms of violence to meet identified needs and must be accompanied by a non-priority option.'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``effectiveness'' and inserting
``response'';
(ii) by inserting ``population-specific'' before
``training'';
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) developing, enlarging, or strengthening culturally specific programs and projects to provide culturally specific services regarding, responses to, and prevention of female genital mutilation; or
``(7) strengthening the response of social and human services by providing population-specific training for service providers on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations.''; and
(3) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking ``$2,000,000'' and inserting
``$10,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 106. CRIMINAL PROVISIONS.
Section 2265 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) by striking ``restraining order or injunction,''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``The prohibition under this paragraph applies to all protection orders for the protection of a person residing within a State, territorial, or Tribal jurisdiction, whether or not the protection order was issued by that State, territory, or Tribe.''; and
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
``This applies to all Alaska Tribes without respect to
`Indian country' or the population of the Native village associated with the Tribe.''.
SEC. 107. RAPE SURVIVOR CHILD CUSTODY.
Section 409 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 21308) is amended by striking ``2015 through 2019'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 108. ENHANCING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES FOR VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, AND STALKING.
Section 121 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20124) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``shall take 5 percent of such appropriated amounts'' and inserting ``shall take 10 percent of such appropriated amounts for the program under subsection (a)(2)(A) and 5 percent of such appropriated amounts for the programs under subsection (a)(2)(B) through
(E)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Additional authorization of appropriations.--In addition to the amounts made available under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``(4) Distribution.--Of the total amount available for grants under this section, not less than 40 percent of such funds shall be allocated for programs or projects that meaningfully address non-intimate partner relationship sexual assault.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by adding at the end the following: ``At least one such organization shall have demonstrated expertise primarily in domestic violence services, and at least one such organization shall have demonstrated expertise primarily in non-intimate partner sexual assault services.''; and
(3) by striking subsection (e).
SEC. 109. GRANTS FOR LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General may make grants to States, units of local government, Indian Tribes, domestic violence victim service providers, and State or Tribal Domestic Violence Coalitions for technical assistance and training in the operation or establishment of a lethality assessment program.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``lethality assessment program'' means a program that--
(1) rapidly connects a victim of domestic violence to local community-based victim service providers;
(2) helps first responders and others in the justice system, including courts, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutors of Tribal government and units of local government, identify and respond to possibly lethal circumstances; and
(3) identifies victims of domestic violence who are at high risk of being seriously injured or killed by an intimate partner.
(c) Qualifications.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, an applicant shall demonstrate experience in developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating a lethality assessment program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
(e) Definitions and Grant Conditions.--In this section, the definitions and grant conditions in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291).
TITLE II--IMPROVING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS
SEC. 201. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.
Section 41601 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 202. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.
Section 41601(f)(1) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511(f)(1)) is amended by striking ``$40,000,000 to remain available until expended for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$60,000,000 to remain available until expended for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 203. RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, STALKING, AND CHILD ABUSE ENFORCEMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 40295 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12341) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``women'' and inserting ``adults, youth,''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 204. GRANTS FOR TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END VIOLENCE
AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND DEAF
PEOPLE.
Section 1402 of division B of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20122) is amended--
(1) in the heading--
(A) by striking ``women'' and inserting ``people''; and
(B) by inserting after ``disabilities'' the following:
``and deaf people'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``individuals'' each place it appears and inserting ``people''; and
(B) by inserting after ``with disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102))'' the following: ``and Deaf people''.
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``disabled individuals'' each place it appears and inserting ``people with disabilities and Deaf people'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ``law enforcement'' the following: ``and other first responders''; and
(C) in paragraph (8), by striking ``providing advocacy and intervention services within'' and inserting ``to enhance the capacity of'';
(4) in subsection (c), by striking ``disabled individuals'' and inserting ``people with disabilities and Deaf people''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 205. TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END ABUSE IN LATER LIFE.
Section 40801 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12421)--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``enhanced training'' and inserting ``training'';
(2) by striking subsection ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--'' and all that follows through paragraph (1) of subsection (b) and inserting the following: ``The Attorney General shall make grants to eligible entities in accordance with the following:'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) of subsection (b) as paragraphs (1) through (4);
(4) in paragraph (1) (as redesignated by paragraph (3) of this subsection)--
(A) by striking ``, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, exploitation, and neglect'' each place it appears;
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``elder abuse'' and inserting the following: ``abuse in later life''; and
(ii) in clause (iv), by striking ``advocates, victim service providers, and courts to better serve victims of abuse in later life'' and inserting ``leaders, victim advocates, victim service providers, courts, and first responders to better serve older victims'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``or other community-based organizations in recognizing and addressing instances of abuse in later life'' and inserting ``community-based organizations, or other professionals who may identify or respond to abuse in later life''; and
(D) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``subparagraph
(B)(ii)'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)(B)'';
(5) in paragraph (2) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (iv). by striking ``with demonstrated experience in assisting individuals over 50 years of age or older''; and
(ii) in clause (v), by striking ``with demonstrated experience in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``at a minimum'' and inserting ``at least two of'';
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end, and inserting ``or''; and
(iii) in clause (iv), by striking ``in later life;'' and inserting ``50 years of age or over.''; and
(6) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (3)), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 206. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON TRAUMA-INFORMED, VICTIM-
CENTERED TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Subtitle Q--Trauma-informed, Victim-centered Training for Law
Enforcement
``SEC. 41701. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON TRAUMA-INFORMED,
VICTIM-CENTERED TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `Attorney General' means the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women;
``(2) the term `covered individual' means an individual who interfaces with victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including--
``(A) an individual working for or on behalf of an eligible entity;
``(B) a school or university administrator or personnel
(including a campus police officer or a school resource officer); and
``(C) an emergency services or medical employee;
``(3) the term `demonstration site', with respect to an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section, means--
``(A) if the eligible entity is a law enforcement agency described in paragraph (4)(A), the area over which the eligible entity has jurisdiction; and
``(B) if the eligible entity is an organization or agency described in paragraph (4)(B), the area over which a law enforcement agency described in paragraph (4)(A) that is working in collaboration with the eligible entity has jurisdiction; and
``(4) the term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a State, local, territorial, or Tribal law enforcement agency; or
``(B) a national, regional, or local victim services organization or agency working in collaboration with a law enforcement agency described in subparagraph (A).
``(b) Grants Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to carry out the demonstration program under this section by implementing evidence-based or promising policies and practices to incorporate trauma-informed, victim-centered techniques designed to--
``(A) prevent re-traumatization of the victim;
``(B) ensure that covered individuals use evidence-based practices to respond to and investigate cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
``(C) improve communication between victims and law enforcement officers in an effort to increase the likelihood of the successful investigation and prosecution of the reported crime in a manner that protects the victim to the greatest extent possible;
``(D) increase collaboration among stakeholders who are part of the coordinated community response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
``(E) evaluate the effectiveness of the training process and content by measuring--
``(i) investigative and prosecutorial practices and outcomes; and
``(ii) the well-being of victims and their satisfaction with the criminal justice process.
``(2) Term.--The Attorney General shall make grants under this section for each of the first 2 fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
``(3) Award basis.--The Attorney General shall award grants under this section to multiple eligible entities for use in a variety of settings and communities, including--
``(A) urban, suburban, Tribal, remote, and rural areas;
``(B) college campuses; or
``(C) traditionally underserved communities.
``(c) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to--
``(1) train covered individuals within the demonstration site of the eligible entity to use evidence-based, trauma-informed, and victim-centered techniques and knowledge of crime victims' rights throughout an investigation into domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including by--
``(A) conducting victim interviews in a manner that--
``(i) elicits valuable information about the domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(ii) avoids re-traumatization of the victim;
``(B) conducting field investigations that mirror best and promising practices available at the time of the investigation;
``(C) customizing investigative approaches to ensure a culturally and linguistically appropriate approach to the community being served;
``(D) becoming proficient in understanding and responding to complex cases, including cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking--
``(i) facilitated by alcohol or drugs;
``(ii) involving strangulation;
``(iii) committed by a non-stranger;
``(iv) committed by an individual of the same sex as the victim;
``(v) involving a victim with a disability;
``(vi) involving a male victim; or
``(vii) involving a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
(commonly referred to as `LGBT') victim;
``(E) developing collaborative relationships between--
``(i) law enforcement officers and other members of the response team; and
``(ii) the community being served; and
``(F) developing an understanding of how to define, identify, and correctly classify a report of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(2) promote the efforts of the eligible entity to improve the response of covered individuals to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through various communication channels, such as the website of the eligible entity, social media, print materials, and community meetings, in order to ensure that all covered individuals within the demonstration site of the eligible entity are aware of those efforts and included in trainings, to the extent practicable.
``(d) Demonstration Program Trainings on Trauma-informed, Victim-centered Approaches.--
``(1) Identification of existing trainings.--
``(A) In general.--The Attorney General shall identify trainings for law enforcement officers, in existence as of the date on which the Attorney General begins to solicit applications for grants under this section, that--
``(i) employ a trauma-informed, victim-centered approach to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
``(ii) focus on the fundamentals of--
``(I) trauma responses; and
``(II) the impact of trauma on victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
``(B) Selection.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall select one or more of the approaches employed by a training identified under subparagraph (A) to test within the demonstration site of the eligible entity.
``(2) Consultation.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall consult with the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime in order to seek input from and cultivate consensus among outside practitioners and other stakeholders through facilitated discussions and focus groups on best practices in the field of trauma-informed, victim-centered care for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
``(e) Evaluation.--The Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Justice, shall require each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section to identify a research partner, preferably a local research partner, to--
``(1) design a system for generating and collecting the appropriate data to facilitate an independent process or impact evaluation of the use of the grant funds;
``(2) periodically conduct an evaluation described in paragraph (1); and
``(3) periodically make publicly available, during the grant period--
``(A) preliminary results of the evaluations conducted under paragraph (2); and
``(B) recommendations for improving the use of the grant funds.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Attorney General shall carry out this section using amounts otherwise available to the Attorney General.
``(g) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with the due process rights of any individual.''.
TITLE III--SERVICES, PROTECTION, AND JUSTICE FOR YOUNG VICTIMS
SEC. 301. RAPE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION GRANT.
Section 393A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280b-1b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following ``or digital services (as such term is defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994)'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``professionals'' and inserting ``professionals, including school-based professionals, to identify and refer students who may have experienced or are at risk of experiencing sexual violence''; and
(C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``sexual assault'' and inserting ``sexual violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Indian tribal'' and inserting ``Indian Tribal'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (c) through (d) as subsections (d) through (e), respectively;
(4) by inserting the following new subsection:
``(c) Meaningful Involvement of State Sexual Assault Coalitions, Culturally Specific Organizations, and Underserved Communities.--In granting funds to States, the Secretary shall set forth procedures designed to ensure meaningful involvement of the State or territorial sexual assault coalitions, culturally specific organizations, and representatives from underserved communities in the application for and implementation of funding.''.
(5) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``$110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
``Not less than 80 percent of the total amount made available under this subsection in each fiscal year shall be awarded in accordance with this paragraph.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) State, territorial, and tribal sexual assault coalition allotment.--Of the total amount made available under this subsection in each fiscal year, not less than 15 percent shall be available to state, territorial, and tribal sexual assault coalitions for the purposes of coordinating and providing prevention activities, providing assistance to prevention programs, and collaborating and coordinating with Federal, State, Tribal, and local entities engaged in sexual violence prevention. From amounts appropriated for grants under this subsection for each fiscal year, not less than 10 percent of funds shall be available for grants to tribal sexual assault coalitions, and the remaining funds shall be available for grants to State and territorial coalitions, and the Attorney General shall allocate an amount equal to \1/56\ of the amounts so appropriated to each of those State and territorial coalitions. Receipt of an award under this subsection by each sexual assault coalition shall not preclude the coalition from receiving additional grants or administering funds to carry out the purposes described in subsection (a).''.
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall submit to Congress, the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the activities funded by grants awarded under this section and best practices relating to rape prevention and education.''.
SEC. 302. CREATING HOPE THROUGH OUTREACH, OPTIONS, SERVICES,
AND EDUCATION (CHOOSE) FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
Section 41201 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12451) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``stalking, or sex trafficking'' and inserting ``or stalking''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``Grants awarded under this section may be used to address sex trafficking or bullying as part of a comprehensive program focused primarily on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(I) by striking ``target youth who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking'' and inserting ``target youth, including youth in underserved populations who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking''; and
(II) by striking ``specific services'' and inserting
``specific services, restorative practices'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(iv) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) clarify State or local mandatory reporting policies and practices regarding peer-on-peer dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking; or
``(E) develop, enlarge, or strengthen culturally specific victim services and response related to, and prevention of, female genital mutilation.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``stalking, or sex trafficking'' and inserting ``stalking, sex trafficking, or female genital mutilation'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the semicolon and inserting the following ``, and restorative practices;'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``confidential'' before ``support services''; and
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by inserting after ``programming for youth'' the following: ``, including youth in underserved populations,'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``stalking, or sex trafficking'' and inserting ``or stalking''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)'';
(4) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``stalking, and sex trafficking'' and inserting ``and stalking, including training on working with youth in underserved populations
(and, where intervention or programming will include a focus on female genital mutilation, or on sex trafficking, sufficient training on those topics)''; and
(5) in subsection (f), by striking ``$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 303. GRANTS TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIMES ON CAMPUSES.
(a) In General.--Section 304 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20125) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) To develop, strengthen, and implement campus policies, protocols, and services that more effectively identify and respond to the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, including the use of technology to commit these crimes, and to train campus administrators, campus security personnel, and all participants in the resolution process, including personnel from the Title IX coordinator's office, student conduct office, and campus disciplinary or judicial boards on such policies, protocols, and services.'';
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) To provide prevention and education programming about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including technological abuse and reproductive and sexual coercion, that is age-appropriate, culturally relevant, ongoing, delivered in multiple venues on campus, accessible, promotes respectful nonviolent behavior as a social norm, and engages men and boys. Such programming should be developed in partnership or collaboratively with experts in intimate partner and sexual violence prevention and intervention.'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by inserting after ``improve delivery of'' the following: ``primary prevention training and'';
(D) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and provide'' and inserting ``, provide, and disseminate'';
(E) in paragraph (10), by inserting after ``or adapt'' the following ``and disseminate''; and
(F) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:
``(11) To train campus health centers and appropriate campus faculty, such as academic advisors or professionals who deal with students on a daily basis, on how to recognize and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including training health providers on how to provide universal education to all members of the campus community on the impacts of violence on health and unhealthy relationships and how providers can support ongoing outreach efforts.
``(12) To train campus personnel in how to use a victim-centered, trauma-informed interview technique, which means asking questions of a student or a campus employee who is reported to be a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, in a manner that is focused on the experience of the reported victim, that does not judge or blame the reported victim for the alleged crime, and that is informed by evidence-based research on trauma response. To the extent practicable, campus personnel shall allow the reported victim to participate in a recorded interview and to receive a copy of the recorded interview.
``(13) To develop and implement restorative practices (as such term is defined in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994).'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``for all incoming students'' and inserting ``for all students'';
(B) by amending paragraph (3)(D) to read as follows:
``(D) The grantee shall train all participants in the resolution process, including the Title IX coordinator's office and student conduct office, to respond effectively to situations involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)(C), by inserting after ``sex,'' the following: ``sexual orientation, gender identity,''; and
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ``$12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026''.
(b) Report on Best Practices Regarding Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campuses.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress a report, which includes--
(1) an evaluation of programs, events, and educational materials related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
(2) an assessment of best practices and guidance from the evaluation described in paragraph (1), which shall be made publicly available online to universities and college campuses to use as a resource.
TITLE IV--VIOLENCE REDUCTION PRACTICES
SEC. 401. STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
AND PREVENTION.
Section 402 of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 280b-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``violence against women'' and inserting ``violence against adults, youth,''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 402. SAVING MONEY AND REDUCING TRAGEDIES (SMART) THROUGH
PREVENTION GRANTS.
Section 41303 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12463) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) strategies within each of these areas addressing the unmet needs of underserved populations.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by inserting ``culturally specific,'' after ``after-school,'';
(3) in subsection (d)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) include a focus on the unmet needs of underserved populations.'';
(4) in subsection (f), by striking ``$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting
``$45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026''; and
(5) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Remaining amounts.--Any amounts not made available under paragraphs (1) and (2) may be used for any set of purposes described in paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b), or for a project that fulfills two or more of such sets of purposes.''.
TITLE V--STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS RESPONSE
SEC. 501. GRANTS TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE,
SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING.
Section 399P of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``community health workers, violence prevention advocates working with health providers,'' after ``health staff,'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by inserting ``(including midwives and doulas)'' after
``residents''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``response'' after ``improve the'' and inserting ``capacity'';
(ii) by inserting ``prevent and respond to'' after
``(including behavioral and mental health programs) to''; and
(iii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) the development or enhancement and implementation of training programs to improve the capacity of early childhood programs to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking among families they serve; and
``(5) the development or enhancement and implementation of comprehensive statewide strategies for health and violence prevention programs to work together to promote primary prevention onf domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
(i) by inserting ``provide universal education on healthy relationships'' after ``providers to'';
(ii) by striking ``identify'';
(iii) by inserting ``trauma-informed'' after ``and provide''; and
(iv) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (A)(ii)--
(i) by inserting ``, including labor and sex trafficking'' after ``other forms of violence and abuse'';
(ii) by striking ``culturally competent clinical'' after
``plan and develop'';
(iii) by inserting after ``training components'' the following; ``that center the experiences of and are developed in collaboration with Black and Indigenous people and People of Color, and include community-defined practices such as the use of doulas, midwives, and traditional healers,''; and
(iv) by striking ``disparities'' and inserting
``inequities'';
(C) in subparagraph (A), by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
``(iii) are designed to be inclusive of the experiences of all individuals including LGBTQ+ individuals and include training on equity and anti-racism approaches to health services delivery; disparities in access to health-care services and prevention resources; and current and historic systemic racism in health care services; and
``(iv) include training on the use of universal prevention education approach to both prevent and respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in health care settings;'';
(D) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause
(i)--
(i) by striking ``response'' after ``improve the'' and inserting ``capacity''; and
(ii) by inserting ``prevent and respond to'' after ``system to'';
(E) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(i) by inserting ``and promoting prevention of' ''' after
``responding to'';
(ii) by inserting ``during in person or virtual visits and'' after ``and stalking''; and
(iii) by inserting after ``follow-up care'' the following:
`` and to maximize victim choice on the use and sharing of their health information'';
(F) in subparagraph (B)(ii)--
(i) by striking ``on-site access to''; and
(ii) by striking ``patients by increasing'' and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting the following:
``patients by--
``(I) increasing the capacity of existing health care professionals, including professionals who specialize in trauma and in behavioral and mental health care (including substance abuse disorder), community health workers, and public health staff to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and children exposed to violence;
``(II) contracting with or hiring advocates for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to provide such services; or
``(III) providing funding to State domestic and sexual violence coalitions to improve the capacity of such coalitions to coordinate and support health advocates and other health system partnerships;'';
(G) in subparagraph (B)(iii)--
(i) by striking ``identification'' after ``practice of'' and inserting ``prevention'';
(ii) by inserting ``during in person or virtual visits,'' after ``and stalking''; and
(iii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(H) in subparagraph (B)(iv)--
(i) by inserting ``and promote prevention during in person or virtual visits,'' after ``or stalking,''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end;
(I) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following:
``(v) the development, implementation, dissemination, and evaluation of best practices, tools, and training materials, including culturally relevant tools, for behavioral health professionals to identify and respond to domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and dating violence; and
``(vi) the development and provision of culturally relevant training and follow-up technical assistance to health care professionals, and public health staff, and allied health professionals to identify, assess, treat, and refer clients who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking from culturally specific communities and promote prevention, using tools and training materials, developed by and for culturally specific communities, with priority given to trainings provided by culturally specific organizations; and''; and
(J) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) design and implement comprehensive strategies to prevent domestic or sexual violence including through the use of universal education in clinical and public health settings, hospitals, clinics and other health settings.''.
(3) in subsection (b)(2)(A)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Child and elder abuse'' and inserting the following: ``Child abuse and abuse in later life''; and
(B) by striking ``child or elder abuse'' and inserting the following: ``child abuse or abuse in later life'';
(4) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(i), by striking ``elder abuse'' and inserting ``abuse in later life'';
(5) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(ii), by inserting ``programs that promote the prevention of sexual assault as well as'' after ``implementation of'';
(6) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(iii)--
(A) by inserting ``and exposure to violence against generations'' after ``abuse''; and
(B) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(7) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(iv)--
(A) by inserting ``mental health,'' after ``dental,''; and
(B) by striking ``exams.'' and inserting ``exams and certifications;'';
(8) in subsection (b)(2)(C), by inserting after clause (iv) the following:
``(v) providing funding to culturally specific organizations to improve the capacity of such organizations to engage and partner with healthcare providers to support victims and meet increased referrals from health systems;
``(vi) development of a State-level pilot program to--
``(I) improve the response of substance use disorder treatment programs, harm reduction programs for people who use substances, and systems to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
``(II) improve the capacity of substance use disorder treatment programs, harm reduction programs for people who use substances, and systems to serve survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking dealing with substance use disorder; and
``(III) improve the capacity of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking programs to serve survivors who has substance use history with substance abuse disorder; or
``(vii) development and utilization of existing technical assistance and training resources to improve the capacity of substance use disorder treatment programs and harm reduction programs for people who use substances to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking among patients the programs serve.'';
(9) in subsection (c)(3)(A) by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``and--
``(i) culturally specific and population specific organizations, and specifically organizations whose leadership include Black or Indigenous people, People of Color, or LGBTQ+ individuals; and
``(ii) programs developing and implementing community-driven solutions to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, instead of carceral and law enforcement intervention.'';
(10) in subsection (c)(3)(B)(i)(III) by inserting after
``nonprofit entity'' the following ``, including a culturally-specific organization or community-based organization working to address the social determinants of health,'';
(11) in subsection (c)(3)(C)(ii)--
(A) by striking ``strategies for'' and inserting ``(I) strategies for'';
(B) by inserting ``and generations'' after ``lifespan'';
(C) by striking ``settings;'' and inserting ``settings; and''
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(II) strategies to address primary prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking over the lifespan and generations including strategies that address related social determinants of health and center economic justice, anti-racism, and that are inclusive of all genders and identities including LGBTQ+ individuals;'';
(12) in subsection (c)(3)(C)(iii)--
(A) by inserting ``culturally specific organizations'' after ``advocacy organizations''; and
(B) by striking ``State or tribal law enforcement task forces (where appropriate)'';
(13) in subsection (c)(3)(C)(iv) by inserting ``(including culturally specific organizations)'' after ``service providers'';
(14) in subsection (d)(2)(A)--
(A) by inserting ``or behavioral health'' after ``of health'';
(B) by inserting ``behavioral'' after ``physical or'';
(C) by striking ``mental'' before ``health care''; and
(D) by inserting ``, including substance use disorder treatment'' before ``; or'';
(15) in subsection (d)(2)(B)--
(A) by striking ``or health system'' and inserting
``behavioral health treatment system'';
(B) by striking ``mental'' and inserting ``behavioral''; and
(C) by inserting ``, or a community-based organization with a history of partnership with programs in the domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and health care, including physical, mental, or behavioral health care'' before the period at the end;
(16) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking ``$10,000,000'' and inserting
``$15,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''; and
(17) in subsection (h), by striking ``herein'' and
``provided for''.
TITLE VI--SAFE HOMES FOR VICTIMS
SEC. 601. HOUSING PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND
STALKING.
(a) In General.--Section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``brother, sister,'' and inserting ``sibling,'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``including the direct loan program under such section'';
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``the program under subtitle A of'' and inserting ``the programs under'';
(iii) in subparagraph (I)--
(I) by striking ``sections 514, 515, 516, 533, and 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484, 1485, 1486, 1490m, and 1490p-2)'' and inserting ``sections 514, 515, 516, 533, 538, and 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484, 1485, 1486, 1490m, 1490p-2, 1490r)''; and
(II) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(iv) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(K) the provision of assistance from the Housing Trust Fund established under section 1338 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4501);
``(L) the provision of assistance for housing under the Comprehensive Service Programs for Homeless Veterans program under subchapter II of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code;
``(M) the provision of assistance for housing and facilities under the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs under section 2061 of title 38, United States Code;
``(N) the provision of assistance for permanent housing under the program for financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing under section 2044 of title 38, United States Code;
``(O) housing assisted under the rent supplement program under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (12 U.S.C. 1701s); and
``(P) any other Federal housing programs providing affordable housing to low- and moderate-income persons by means of restricted rents or rental assistance as identified by the appropriate agency.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Collaborative applicant.--The term `collaborative applicant' has the meaning given the term in section 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360).
``(5) Continuum of care.--The term `Continuum of Care' means the Federal program authorized under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.).
``(6) Covered housing provider.--The term `covered housing provider'--
``(A) means the individual or entity under a covered housing program that has responsibility for the administration or oversight of housing assisted under a covered housing program; and
``(B) includes public housing agencies, sponsors, owners, mortgagors, managers, grantees under the Continuum of Care, State and local governments or agencies thereof, and nonprofit or for-profit organizations or entities.
``(7) Drug-related criminal activity.--The term `drug-related criminal activity' has the meaning given the term in section 3(b)(9) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(9)).
``(8) Emergency solutions grant.--The term `emergency solutions grant' means a grant provided under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371 et seq.).
``(9) Emergency transfer.--The term `emergency transfer'--
``(A) except as provided under subparagraph (B), means a transfer under subsection (e) from a unit of a covered housing provider to any other unit of the same principal, affiliate, or management agent of the covered housing provider; and
``(B) with respect to a project funded under the Continuum of Care, means a transfer under subsection (e) to any unit of the same covered housing provider under the same covered housing program.
``(10) External referral.--The term `external referral'--
``(A) except as provided under subparagraph (B), means a referral provided to a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking by a covered housing provider to the applicable regional office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to facilitate a move from a unit of a covered housing provider under the same or a different covered housing program; and
``(B) with respect to a project funded under the Continuum of Care, including any local system funding by the Continuum of Care or a recipient or subrecipient of an Emergency Solutions Grant, means the facilitation of a move from a unit of a covered housing provider to a unit of a different covered housing provider under the same covered housing program.
``(11) HUD regional office.--The term `HUD regional office' means a regional office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
``(12) National vawa victims relocation pool voucher.--The term `National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher' means a housing voucher provided under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)).
``(13) Program participant.--The term `program participant' means an individual (including an unaccompanied youth) or family who is assisted by programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq).'';
(2) in subsection (b)(3)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting after ``criminal activity'' the following: ``and family break-up'';
(B) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) Denial of assistance, tenancy, and occupancy rights prohibited.--
``(i) In general.--A tenant, program participant, or resident of a unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking shall not be denied assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing assisted under a covered housing program solely on the basis of criminal activity directly relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking that is engaged in by a member of the household of the tenant, program participant, resident, or any guest or other person under the control of the tenant, program participant, or resident, if the tenant, program participant, resident or an affiliated individual of the tenant, program participant, or resident is the victim or threatened victim of such domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(ii) Criminal activity engaged in by perpetrator of abuse.--
``(I) In general.--A tenant, program participant, or resident of a unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking shall not be denied assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing assisted under a covered housing program solely on the basis of criminal activity, including drug-related criminal activity, engaged in by the perpetrator of the domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(II) Rule of construction.--Nothing in subclause (I) shall be construed to limit the authority to terminate assistance to a tenant or program participant or evict or terminate a tenant or program participant from housing assisted under a covered housing program if a public housing agency or an owner, recipient or subrecipient, or a manager of the housing demonstrates an actual and imminent threat to other tenants, program participants, or individuals employed at or providing service to the housing if the assistance is not terminated or the tenant or program participant is not evicted.
``(iii) Review prior to termination for current program participants.--Before terminating assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights to housing assisted under a covered housing program to a tenant or program participant who is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking on the basis of criminal activity of the tenant or program participant, including drug-related criminal activity--
``(I) the covered housing provider shall consider--
``(aa) the seriousness of the case;
``(bb) the extent of participation or culpability of the tenant or program participant, including whether the tenant or program participant was coerced by the perpetrator of the domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
``(cc) whether the criminal activity was related to a symptom of a disability, including a substance use disorder;
``(dd) in cases involving drug-related criminal activity or criminal activity involving alcohol abuse, whether the tenant or program participant is participating in, or has successfully completed, a supervised drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully; and
``(ee) any other relevant mitigating circumstances; and
``(II) the covered housing program shall provide the tenant or program participant with--
``(aa) a written summary of the review conducted by the covered housing program; and
``(bb) an opportunity to invoke the applicable grievance policy of the covered housing program to dispute the findings of the review.'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in the heading, by striking ``Bifurcation'' and inserting ``Family break-up'';
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively;
(iii) by inserting before clause (ii), as so redesignated, the following:
``(i) In general.--If a family break-up results from an occurrence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and the perpetrator no longer resides in the unit and was the sole tenant or program participant eligible to receive assistance under a covered housing program, the covered housing provider shall--
``(I) provide any other tenant, program participant, or resident of the unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking the opportunity to establish eligibility for the covered housing program; or
``(II) provide a tenant, program participant, or resident described in subclause (I) with not less than 180 days--
``(aa) to remain in the unit under the same terms and conditions as the perpetrator; and
``(bb) find new housing or establish eligibility for another covered housing program.'';
(iv) in clause (ii), as so redesignated--
(I) in the heading, by striking ``In general'' and inserting ``Eviction''; and
(II) by inserting after ``a public housing agency'' the following: ``, participating jurisdictions, grantees under the Continuum of Care, grantees,''; and
(v) by striking clause (iii), as so redesignated;
(D) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) to be limited by any provision in the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) that provides less protection than subparagraph (A) for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.''; and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) Early termination.--
``(i) In general.--A covered housing provider shall permit a tenant or program participant assisted under the covered housing program to terminate the lease at any time prior to the end date of the lease, without penalty, if the tenant or program participant has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the tenant or program participant--
``(I) sends notice of the early lease termination to the landlord in writing prior to or within 3 days of vacating the premises unless a shorter notice period is provided for under State law;
``(II)(aa) reasonably believes that the tenant or program participant is threatened with imminent harm if the tenant or program participant remains within the same dwelling unit subject to the lease; or
``(bb) has experienced a sexual assault that occurred on the premises during the 90-day period preceding the request for lease termination; and
``(III) provides a form of documentation consistent with the requirements outlined in subsection (c)(3).
``(ii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to preclude any automatic termination of a lease by operation of law. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or local law regarding the early termination of leases that provides greater protection than this subsection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.'';
(3) in subsection (c)(4), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``Any information submitted to a public housing agency or owner or manager'' and inserting ``Covered housing providers shall ensure any information submitted''; and
(B) by inserting after ``owner or manager'' the following:
``of housing assisted under a covered housing program'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``an applicant for or tenants of'' and inserting ``all individuals and families seeking housing or services from programs under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.), all program participants of, all adult members of applicant households for, and all adult tenants of''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``guidance issued by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development'' and inserting ``title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and any guidance issued by the appropriate agencies related to language access for persons with limited English proficiency'';''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Translation and availability of standardized documents.--Each appropriate agency shall ensure that standardized documents relating to the implementation of this title are--
``(A) translated into and made available in multiple languages and are available in formats accessible to persons with disabilities; and
``(B) made accessible to covered housing providers within a reasonable time after adoption of the documents by the appropriate agency.'';
(5) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
``(e) Emergency Transfers and National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool Policies.--
``(1) In general.--A tenant, program participant, or resident of a unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking who is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking may apply for an emergency transfer or a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher, or both.
``(2) Responsible entity.--
``(A) Emergency transfers.--A covered housing provider shall grant an emergency transfer to a tenant or program participant described in paragraph (1) if--
``(i) the covered housing provider and the tenant or program participant determine that a safe dwelling unit is available; and
``(ii) the tenant or program participant meets the eligibility criteria described in paragraph (3).
``(B) Vouchers.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and a covered housing provider authorized to determine eligibility for National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers under policies and procedures established under subsection (f)(1) shall approve a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher for a tenant, program participant, or resident of a unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking described in paragraph (1) if the tenant, program participant, or resident meets the eligibility criteria described in paragraph (3).
``(3) Criteria.--
``(A) In general.--The applicable responsible entity under paragraph (2) shall approve an application submitted by a tenant, program participant, or resident described in paragraph (1) for an emergency transfer, a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher, or both, if--
``(i) the tenant, program participant, or resident expressly requests the emergency transfer or National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher, or both, from the applicable responsible entity; and
``(ii)(I) the tenant, program participant, or resident reasonably believes that the tenant or program participant is threatened with imminent harm from further violence if the tenant or program participant remains within the same dwelling unit assisted under a covered housing program; or
``(II) the tenant, program participant, or resident experienced a sexual assault that occurred on the premises during the 90-day period preceding the request for the emergency transfer or National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher.
``(B) Good standing.--Regardless of whether a tenant, program participant, or resident is in good standing, the tenant, program participant, or resident retains the right to an emergency transfer or a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher if the tenant, program participant, or resident otherwise meets the eligibility requirements in this subsection. The tenant, program participant, or resident shall also meet the eligibility requirements of the program to which the tenant, program participant, or resident intends to transfer unless the eligibility requirement is waived by the covered housing program.
``(4) Policies.--Each appropriate agency shall, in the timeframe outlined in subsection (f)(2), adopt emergency transfer, external referral, and National VAWA Victim Relocation Pool voucher policies for use by covered housing programs, which shall--
``(A) reflect the variations in program operation and administration by covered housing program type and are in accordance with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development's National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers policies and procedures issued within the timeframe outlined in subsection (f)(1);
``(B) at a minimum, describe a process that--
``(i) permits tenants, program participants, or residents who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to move to another available and safe dwelling quickly through an emergency transfer, a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher, or an external referral; and
``(ii) provides that the tenant, program participant, or resident can request an emergency transfer or a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher, or both, whichever is safe and available for the tenant, program participant, or resident; and
``(C) with respect to a request for an emergency transfer, provide that--
``(i) not later than 5 days after the date on which a covered housing provider receives an emergency transfer request from a tenant or program participant, the covered housing provider shall determine whether the tenant or program participant can be transferred to a safe and available unit;
``(ii) if a safe unit is available, an emergency transfer shall occur not later than 10 days after the date on which the covered housing provider approves the request;
``(iii) if a safe unit is not available, the covered housing provider shall provide to the tenant or program participant--
``(I) a written status report regarding the status of the emergency transfer request of the tenant or program participant; and
``(II) information about National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers; and
``(iv) if the emergency transfer request has been denied due to reasons unrelated to the availability of a safe and suitable unit, the tenant or program participant may appeal the decision through the applicable grievance or hearing process of the covered housing provider;
``(D) with respect to a request for a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher--
``(i) the request may be made to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by a tenant; program participant; resident of the unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking; a collaborative applicant of the local Continuum of Care or designee of the collaborative applicant; Emergency Solutions Grant recipient or subrecipient; a public housing agency; or the covered housing provider; and
``(ii) not later than 10 days after the date on which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development receives a request for a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher and the selected relocation jurisdiction of the tenant or program participant, the Secretary shall process the request and refer administration of the National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher to the appropriate public housing agency of the selected jurisdiction of the tenant; program participant; or resident of the unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking;
``(E) allow a victim of domestic violence dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to temporarily relocate, while maintaining eligibility for the covered housing program without the loss of their housing status, if there are no alternative comparable housing program units available, until an emergency transfer, a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher, or an external referral resulting in comparable safe housing is obtained;
``(F) mandate that emergency transfers take priority over non-emergency transfers;
``(G) mandate that emergency transfers are not considered new applicants and take priority over existing external waiting lists for a covered housing program;
``(H) incorporate confidentiality measures to ensure that the appropriate agency and the covered housing provider do not disclose any information regarding a tenant, program participant, or resident who is victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including the location of a new dwelling unit to any person or entity without the time-limited written authorization of the tenant or program participant, and communication by a covered housing provider with a victim must be in a form and manner that the victim determines to be safe; and
``(I) mandate that when a tenant or program participant submits an emergency transfer request to a covered housing provider, the covered housing provider shall provide contact information for--
``(i) local organizations offering assistance to tenants and other housing providers who may have safe and available housing; or
``(ii) contact information for the regional HUD office or applicable public housing agency.
``(5) Duties of collaborative applicants of a local continuum of care.--In addition to adopting the policies described in paragraph (4) in an emergency transfer policy, the collaborative applicant of each local Continuum of Care, or a designee of the collaborative applicant, shall--
``(A) coordinate and facilitate emergency transfers and external referrals across projects funded under the Continuum of Care;
``(B) prioritize an external referral across projects funded under the Continuum of Care for the next available safe housing option for which a tenant or program participant may be eligible;
``(C) coordinate external referrals with the collaborative applicant of the local Continuum of Care, or designee of the collaborative applicant, in other jurisdictions in cases where a tenant or program participant requests an out-of-jurisdiction transfer;
``(D) ensure that a tenant or program participant is not required to be reassessed and retains chronically homeless status, if applicable, through the local Continuum of Care intake process when seeking an emergency transfer or external referral placement; and
``(E) ensure costs associated with temporary relocations described in paragraph (4) are considered eligible costs of supportive services under the Continuum of Care program.
``(6) Regional offices.--Each HUD regional office shall--
``(A) in collaboration with public housing agencies and the entities described in paragraph (2), develop and implement a regional emergency transfer and external referral plan, which shall--
``(i) set forth how covered housing providers shall coordinate external referrals with the HUD regional office;
``(ii) be submitted to the Violence Against Women Director described in section 41413 and made publicly available; and
``(iii) include any additional policies, priorities, and strategies set by the entities described in paragraph (5); and
``(B) in consultation with the Violence Against Women Director described in section 41413, facilitate external referral requests for tenants or program participants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking if the tenant or program participant cannot obtain an emergency transfer or a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher.
``(7) Covered housing providers.--Each covered housing provider shall develop and implement an emergency transfer and external referral plan consistent with the requirements in paragraph (4) or (5).'';
(6) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Policies and Procedures for Emergency Transfer and National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool Vouchers.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish policies and procedures under which a tenant, program participant, or resident of a unit who is an unreported member of the household because of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking may receive, under subsection (e), subject to the availability of funds, a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool voucher.
``(2) Appropriate agencies.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, the head of each appropriate agency shall establish the policies required under subsection
(e) with respect to emergency transfers and external referrals. Each appropriate agency shall also establish agency-specific policies and procedures in accordance with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development's National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers policies and procedures.'';
(7) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h);
(8) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Training and Referrals.--
``(1) Training for staff of covered housing programs.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with domestic and sexual violence experts, shall develop mandatory in-person or electronic training for staff of covered housing providers to provide a basic understanding of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to facilitate implementation of this section.
``(B) Appropriate staff.--Each covered housing provider shall identify--
``(i) appropriate staff to attend the basic understanding training described in subparagraph (A) periodically; and
``(ii) appropriate staff engaged in tenant, program participant, or resident services to attend both the basic understanding training and the implementation training described in subparagraph (A) as necessary.
``(2) Referrals.--The appropriate agency with respect to each covered housing program and the local Continuum of Care shall supply all appropriate staff of the covered housing providers with a referral listing of public contact information for all domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking service providers offering services in its coverage area.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''; and
(9) by inserting after subsection (h), as so redesignated, the following:
``(i) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed--
``(1) to limit any right, remedy, or procedure otherwise available to enforce the Violence Against Women Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 2960) and subsequent amendments prior to the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021; or
``(2) to supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or local law that provides greater protection than this section for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.''.
(b) National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool Vouchers.--Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(21) National vawa victims relocation pool vouchers.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall set aside, from amounts made available for rental assistance under this subsection, amounts for use only for providing such assistance for the creation of a National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool, which shall provide rental assistance on behalf of tenants, program participants, or residents who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking eligible for assistance under section 41411(e) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491(e)).
``(B) Termination of vouchers upon turnover.--A public housing agency shall not reissue assistance that is made available from appropriated funds under this subsection for a tenant, program participant, or resident when the assistance for the tenant, program participant, or resident is lawfully terminated, unless specifically authorized by the Secretary.
``(C) Authorization of appropriations.--Beginning in fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, there are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to provide vouchers for rental assistance under this paragraph.''.
SEC. 602. ENSURING COMPLIANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION; PROHIBITING
RETALIATION AGAINST VICTIMS.
Chapter 2 of subtitle N of title IV of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 41411 the following:
``SEC. 41412. COMPLIANCE REVIEWS.
``(a) Regular Compliance Reviews.--
``(1) In general.--Each appropriate agency shall establish a process by which to review compliance with the requirements of this subtitle, which shall--
``(A) in consultation with the Violence Against Women Director described in section 41413 and any other relevant officials of the appropriate agency, be incorporated into other existing compliance review processes of the appropriate agency; and
``(B) examine--
``(i) covered housing provider compliance with requirements prohibiting the denial of assistance, tenancy, or occupancy rights on the basis of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
``(ii) covered housing provider compliance with confidentiality provisions set forth in section 41411(c)(4);
``(iii) covered housing provider compliance with the notification requirements set forth in section 41411(d)(2);
``(iv) covered housing provider compliance with accepting documentation set forth in section 41411(c);
``(v) covered housing provider compliance with emergency transfer, external referral, and National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool Voucher requirements set forth in section 41411(e); and
``(vi) covered housing provider compliance with the prohibition on retaliation set forth in section 41414.
``(2) Frequency.--Each appropriate agency shall conduct the review described in paragraph (1) on a regular basis, as determined by the appropriate agency.
``(b) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, each appropriate agency shall issue regulations to implement subsection (a), which shall--
``(1) define standards of compliance for covered housing providers;
``(2) include detailed reporting requirements, including the number of emergency transfers, external referrals, and National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers requested and granted, as well as the length of time needed to process emergency transfers, National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers, and external referrals; and
``(3) include standards for corrective action plans where a covered housing provider has failed to meet compliance standards.
``(c) Public Disclosure.--Each appropriate agency shall ensure that an agency-level assessment of the information collected during the compliance review process completed pursuant to this subsection--
``(1) includes an evaluation of each topic identified in subsection (a); and
``(2) is made publicly available.
``SEC. 41413. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DIRECTOR.
``(a) Establishment.--There shall be, within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a Violence Against Women Director (in this section referred to as the `Director').
``(b) Duties.--The Director shall--
``(1) support implementation of the provisions of this subtitle;
``(2) coordinate development of Federal regulations, policy, protocols, and guidelines on matters relating to the implementation of this subtitle, at each agency administering a covered housing program;
``(3) advise and coordinate with designated officials within the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Justice concerning legislation, implementation, and other issues relating to or affecting the housing provisions under this subtitle;
``(4) provide technical assistance, coordination, and support to each appropriate agency regarding advancing housing protections and access to housing for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including compliance with this subtitle;
``(5) ensure that adequate technical assistance is made available to covered housing providers regarding implementation of this subtitle, as well as other issues related to advancing housing protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including compliance with this subtitle;
``(6) act as a liaison with the judicial branches of Federal, State, and local governments on matters relating to the housing needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
``(7) implement a quality control system and a corrective action plan system for those covered housing providers that fail to comply with this subtitle, wherein--
``(A) covered housing providers completing corrective action plans shall be required to consult with national, State, or local programs focused on victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
``(B) the corrective action plans shall include provisions requiring covered housing providers to review and develop appropriate notices, procedures, and staff training to improve compliance with this subtitle, in consultation with national, State, or local programs focused on victims described in subparagraph (A);
``(8) establish a formal reporting process to receive individual complaints concerning noncompliance with this subtitle;
``(9) coordinate the development of interagency guidelines to improve the availability of centralized information concerning available dwelling units for use in facilitating the emergency transfer process;
``(10) coordinate the process for tracking of requests, notice, and approval of National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers, and further implement, as necessary, any policies or procedures relating to the National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers;
``(11) work with HUD regional offices to develop a mechanism to implement regional external referral plans and officials at each appropriate agency relating to the development of Federal regulations, policy, protocols, and guidelines regarding uniform timeframes for the completion of emergency transfers, National VAWA Victims Relocation Pool vouchers, and external referrals;
``(12) coordinate with each appropriate agency to ensure that standardized documents relating to the implementation of this title are translated into and made available in multiple languages, are accessible to persons with disabilities, and made accessible to covered housing providers within a reasonable time upon adoption of the documents by the appropriate agency;
``(13) ensure that the documents described in paragraph
(11), including guidance and notices to victims, are distributed in commonly encountered languages by covered housing providers consistent with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and any guidance issued by the appropriate agencies in accordance with Executive Order 13166 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1 note; relating to access to services for persons with limited English proficiency); and
``(14) in consultation with each appropriate agency, identify existing compliance review processes that could incorporate the compliance reviews required under section 41412(a).
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
``SEC. 41414. PROHIBITION ON RETALIATION.
``(a) Nondiscrimination Requirement.--No covered housing provider shall discriminate against any person because that person has opposed any act or practice made unlawful by this subtitle, or because that individual testified, assisted, or participated in any matter related to this subtitle.
``(b) Prohibition on Coercion.--No covered housing provider shall coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with, or retaliate against, any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of the person having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of the person having aided or encouraged any other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any rights or protections under this subtitle, including--
``(1) intimidating or threatening any person because that person is assisting or encouraging an individual entitled to claim the rights or protections under this subtitle; and
``(2) retaliating against any person because that person has participated in any investigation or action to enforce this subtitle.
``(c) Enforcement Authority of the Attorney General the Secretary.--The authority of the Attorney General, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Office for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to enforce this section shall be the same as the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3610 et seq.).''.
SEC. 603. PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME FROM ONE'S
HOME.
(a) In General.--Chapter 2 of subtitle N of title IV of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 41414 the following:
``SEC. 41415. RIGHT TO REPORT CRIME AND EMERGENCIES FROM
ONE'S HOME.
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered governmental entity' means any municipal, county, or State government that receives funding under section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306).
``(b) Right To Report.--
``(1) In general.--Landlords, homeowners, residents, occupants, and guests of, and applicants for, housing--
``(A) shall have the right to seek law enforcement or emergency assistance on their own behalf or on behalf of another person in need of assistance; and
``(B) shall not be penalized based on their requests for assistance or based on criminal activity of which they are a victim or otherwise not at fault under statutes, ordinances, regulations, or policies adopted or enforced by covered governmental entities.
``(2) Prohibited penalties.--Penalties that are prohibited under paragraph (1) include--
``(A) actual or threatened assessment of penalties, fees, or fines;
``(B) actual or threatened eviction;
``(C) actual or threatened refusal to rent or renew tenancy;
``(D) actual or threatened refusal to issue an occupancy permit or landlord permit; and
``(E) actual or threatened closure of the property, or designation of the property as a nuisance or a similarly negative designation.
``(c) Reporting.--Consistent with the process described in section 104(b) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(b)), covered governmental entities shall--
``(1) report any of their laws or policies, or, as applicable, the laws or policies adopted by subgrantees, that impose penalties on landlords, homeowners, residents, occupants, guests, or housing applicants based on requests for law enforcement or emergency assistance or based on criminal activity that occurred at a property; and
``(2) certify that they are in compliance with the protections under this subtitle or describe the steps the covered governmental entities will take within 180 days to come into compliance, or to ensure compliance among subgrantees.
``(d) Oversight.--Oversight and accountability mechanisms provided for under title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968
(42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) shall be available to address violations of this section.
``(e) Subgrantees.--For those covered governmental entities that distribute funds to subgrantees, compliance with subsection (c)(1) includes inquiring about the existence of laws and policies adopted by subgrantees that impose penalties on landlords, homeowners, residents, occupants, guests, or housing applicants based on requests for law enforcement or emergency assistance or based on criminal activity that occurred at a property.''.
(b) Supporting Effective Crime Reduction Methods.--
(1) Additional authorized use of byrne-jag funds.--Section 501(a)(1) of subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10152(a)(1)) is amended by adding after subparagraph (H) the following:
``(I) Programs for the development and implementation of methods of reducing crime in communities, to supplant punitive programs or policies. For purposes of this subparagraph, a punitive program or policy is a program or policy that--
``(i) imposes a penalty described in section 41415(b)(2) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 on the basis of a request for law enforcement or emergency assistance; or
``(ii) imposes a penalty described in section 41415(b)(2) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 on a landlord, homeowner, tenant, program participant, resident, occupant, or guest because of criminal activity at the property, including domestic violence dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, where the landlord, homeowner, tenant, program participant, resident, occupant, or guest was a victim of such criminal activity.''.
(2) Additional authorized use of cops funds.--Section 1701(b) of part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10381(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (22), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (23), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(24) to develop and implement methods of reducing crime in communities, to supplant punitive programs or policies (as such term is defined in section 501(a)(1)(I)).''.
SEC. 604. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, OR STALKING.
Section 40299 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12351) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1)--
(A) by striking ``the Director of the Violence Against Women Office'' and inserting ``the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women''; and
(B) by inserting after ``, other nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations'' the following: ``, population-specific organizations''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``5 percent'' and inserting ``8 percent''; and
(C) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``0.25 percent'' and inserting ``0.5 percent''.
SEC. 605. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND
STALKING.
(a) McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants.--Section 423(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11383(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(13) Facilitating and coordinating activities to ensure compliance with subsection (e) of section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491) and monitoring compliance with the confidentiality protections of subsection (c)(4) of such section.''.
(b) Collaborative Grants To Increase the Long-Term Stability of Victims.--Section 41404(i) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12474(i)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
(c) Grants To Combat Violence Against Women in Public and Assisted Housing.--Section 41405 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12475) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``the Director of the Violence Against Women Office'' and inserting ``the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2)(D), by inserting after
``linguistically and culturally specific service providers,'' the following: ``population-specific organizations,''; and
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting the following: ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 606. UNITED STATES HOUSING ACT OF 1937 AMENDMENTS.
Section 5A(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(d)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (13) to read as follows:
``(13) Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking programs.--
``(A) Copies.--A copy of--
``(i) all standardized notices issued pursuant to the housing protections under subtitle N of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, including the notice required under section 41411(d) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994;
``(ii) the emergency transfer plan issued pursuant to section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994; and
``(iii) any and all memoranda of understanding with other covered housing providers developed to facilitate emergency transfers under section 41411(e) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.
``(B) Descriptions.--A description of--
``(i) any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by an agency, either directly or in partnership with other service providers, to child or adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;
``(ii) any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by a public housing agency that helps child and adult victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, to obtain or maintain housing;
``(iii) any activities, services, or programs provided or offered by a public housing agency to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or to enhance victim safety in assisted families; and
``(iv) all training and support services offered to staff of the public housing agency to provide a basic understanding of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to facilitate implementation of the housing protections of section 41411 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994.''; and
(2) in paragraph (16), by inserting ``the Violence Against Women Act of 1994,'' before ``the Fair Housing Act''.
TITLE VII--ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR VICTIMS
SEC. 701. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Over 1 in 3 women experience sexual violence, and 1 in 5 women have survived completed or attempted rape. Such violence has a devastating impact on women's physical and emotional health, financial security, and ability to maintain their jobs, and thus impacts interstate commerce and economic security.
(2) The Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. Domestic violence includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound an individual.
(3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that domestic violence or intimate partner violence is a serious public health issue for millions of individuals in the United States. Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the United States have suffered sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
(4) Transgender and gender non-conforming people face extraordinary levels of physical and sexual violence.
(5) More than 1 in 4 transgender people have faced bias-driven assault, and this rate is higher for trans women and trans people of color.
(6) The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has found that transgender and gender non-conforming people had an elevated prevalence of suicide attempts, especially when they have suffered physical or sexual violence.
(7) Homicide is one of the leading causes of death for women on the job. Domestic partners or relatives commit 43 percent of workplace homicides against women. One study found that intimate partner violence resulted in 142 homicides among women at work in the United States from 2003 to 2008, a figure which represents 22 percent of the 648 workplace homicides among women during the period. In fact, in 2010, homicides against women at work increased by 13 percent despite continuous declines in overall workplace homicides in recent years.
(8) Women in the United States are 11 times more likely to be murdered with guns than women in other high-income countries. Female intimate partners are more likely to be murdered with a firearm than all other means combined. The presence of a gun in domestic violence situations increases the risk of homicide for women by 500 percent.
(9) Violence can have a dramatic impact on the survivor of such violence. Studies indicate that 44 percent of surveyed employed adults experienced the effect of domestic violence in the workplace, and 64 percent indicated their workplace performance was affected by such violence. Another recent survey found that 78 percent of offenders used workplace resources to express anger, check up on, pressure, or threaten a survivor. Sexual assault, whether occurring in or out of the workplace, can impair an employee's work performance, require time away from work, and undermine the employee's ability to maintain a job. Nearly 50 percent of sexual assault survivors lose their jobs or are forced to quit in the aftermath of the assaults.
(10) Studies find that 60 percent of single women lack economic security and 81 percent of households with single mothers live in economic insecurity. Significant barriers that survivors confront include access to housing, transportation, and child care. Ninety-two percent of homeless women have experienced domestic violence, and more than 50 percent of such women cite domestic violence as the direct cause for homelessness. Survivors are deprived of their autonomy, liberty, and security, and face tremendous threats to their health and safety.
(11) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that survivors of severe intimate partner violence lose nearly 8 million days of paid work, which is the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs and almost 5,600,000 days of household productivity each year. Therefore, women disproportionately need time off to care for their health or to find safety solutions, such as obtaining a restraining order or finding housing, to avoid or prevent further violence.
(12) Annual costs of intimate partner violence are estimated to be more than $8,300,000,000. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the costs of intimate partner violence against women in 1995 exceeded an estimated $5,800,000,000. These costs included nearly
$4,100,000,000 in the direct costs of medical and mental health care and nearly $1,800,000,000 in the indirect costs of lost productivity. These statistics are generally considered to be underestimated because the costs associated with the criminal justice system are not included.
(13) Fifty-five percent of senior executives recently surveyed said domestic violence has a harmful effect on their company's productivity, and more than 70 percent said domestic violence negatively affects attendance. Seventy-eight percent of human resources professionals consider partner violence a workplace issue. However, more than 70 percent of United States workplaces have no formal program or policy that addresses workplace violence, let alone domestic violence. In fact, only four percent of employers provided training on domestic violence.
(14) Studies indicate that one of the best predictors of whether a survivor will be able to stay away from his or her abuser is the degree of his or her economic independence. However, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking often negatively impact a survivor's ability to maintain employment.
(15) Abusers frequently seek to exert financial control over their partners by actively interfering with their ability to work, including preventing their partners from going to work, harassing their partners at work, limiting their partners' access to cash or transportation, and sabotaging their partners' child care arrangements.
(16) Economic abuse refers to behaviors that control an intimate partner's ability to acquire, use, and maintain access to, money, credit, ownership of assets, or access to governmental or private financial benefits, including defaulting on joint obligations (such as school loans, credit card debt, mortgages, or rent). Other forms of such abuse may include preventing someone from attending school, threatening to or actually terminating employment, controlling or withholding access to cash, checking, or credit accounts, and attempting to damage or sabotage the creditworthiness of an intimate partner, including forcing an intimate partner to write bad checks, forcing an intimate partner to default on payments related to household needs, such as housing, or forcing an intimate partner into bankruptcy.
(17) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), and the amendments made by such Act, ensures that most health plans must cover preventive services, including screening and counseling for domestic violence, at no additional cost. In addition, it prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against patients for preexisting conditions, like domestic violence.
(18) Yet, more can be done to help survivors. Federal law in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act does not explicitly--
(A) authorize survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to take leave from work to seek legal assistance and redress, counseling, or assistance with safety planning activities;
(B) address the eligibility of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking for unemployment compensation;
(C) provide job protection to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or
(D) prohibit insurers from disclosing information about abuse and the location of the survivors through insurance databases and other means.
(19) This Act aims to empower survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to be free from violence, hardship, and control, which restrains basic human rights to freedom and safety in the United States.
SEC. 702. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON WORKPLACE RESPONSES TO
ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
Section 41501 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12501) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``and sexual harassment'' after ``domestic and sexual violence''; and
(B) by striking ``employers and labor organizations'' and inserting ``employers, labor organizations, and victim service providers'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``and stalking'' and inserting ``stalking, and sexual harassment''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(C) by adding the following new paragraph:
``(4) a plan to enhance the capacity of survivors to obtain and maintain employment to include the implementation of a demonstration pilot program `Pathways to Opportunity' which builds collaborations between and among victim service providers, workforce development programs, and educational and vocational institutions to provide trauma informed programming to support survivors seeking employment and centered around culturally specific organizations or organizations that primarily serve populations traditionally marginalized in the workplace.''.
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting before the period at the end ``or sexual harassment'';
(4) in subsection (c)(2)(A), by inserting ``or sexual harassment'' after ``sexual violence''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 703. PROVISIONS RELATED TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND
THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
PROGRAM.
(a) Unemployment Compensation.--
(1) Survivors of domestic violence.--Section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (18), by redesignating paragraph (19) as paragraph (21), and by inserting after paragraph (18) the following new paragraph:
``(19) no person may be denied compensation under such State law solely on the basis of the individual having a voluntary separation from work if such separation is attributable to such individual being a survivor of domestic violence;''.
(2) Victims of sexual harassment and survivors of sexual assault or stalking.--Section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is further amended by inserting after paragraph
(19), as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the following new paragraph:
``(20) no person may be denied compensation under such State law solely on the basis of the individual having a voluntary separation from work if such separation is attributable to such individual being a victim of sexual harassment or a survivor of sexual assault or stalking; and''.
(3) Documentation required.--Section 3304 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(g) Victims of Sexual Harassment and Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking.--
``(1) Documentation.--For purposes of paragraphs (19) and
(20) of subsection (a), a voluntary separation of an individual shall be considered to be attributable to such individual being a victim of sexual harassment or a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking if such individual submits such evidence as the State deems sufficient.
``(2) Sufficient documentation.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), a State shall deem sufficient--
``(A) evidence of such sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking in the form of--
``(i) a sworn statement and a form of identification;
``(ii) a police or court record; or
``(iii) documentation from a professional from whom such individual has sought assistance, including those associated with medical, legal, or religious professions; and
``(B) an attestation that such voluntary separation is attributable to such sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(3) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms
`sexual harassment', `domestic violence', `sexual assault',
`stalking', `victim of sexual harassment', and `survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking' have the meanings given such terms under State law, regulation, or policy.''.
(b) Unemployment Compensation Personnel Training.--Section 303(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (12) as paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:
``(4)(A) Such methods of administration as will ensure that--
``(i) applicants and potential applicants for unemployment compensation are notified of the provisions of paragraphs
(19) and (20) of section 3304(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
``(ii) claims reviewers and hearing personnel are trained in--
``(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
``(II) methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to an individual's claim about possible experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the terms `sexual harassment', `domestic violence', `sexual assault', and
`stalking' have the meanings given such terms in section 3304(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
(c) TANF Personnel Training.--Section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) Certification that the state will provide information to victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence.--
``(A) In general.--A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to--
``(i) ensure that applicants and potential applicants for assistance under the State program funded under this part are notified of assistance made available by the State to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence;
``(ii) ensure that case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the State program funded under this part are trained in--
``(I) the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence;
``(II) State standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence; and
``(III) methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to an individual's claim about possible experiences of sexual harassment or domestic violence; and
``(iii) ensure that, if a State has elected to establish and enforce standards and procedures regarding the screening for, and identification of, domestic violence pursuant to paragraph (7)--
``(I) the State program funded under this part provides information about the options under this part to current and potential beneficiaries; and
``(II) case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the State program funded under this part are provided with training regarding State standards and procedures pursuant to paragraph (7).
``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph--
``(i) the term `sexual harassment' has the meaning given such term under State law, regulation, or policy; and
``(ii) the term `domestic violence' has the meaning given such term in section 402(a)(7).''.
(d) National Grant Program for Developing a Model Training Program for Unemployment Compensation Personnel Training.--
(1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary of Labor (in this subsection referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized to award a grant to a national victim service provider in order for such organization to--
(A) develop and disseminate a model training program (and related materials) for the training required under section 303(a)(4)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (b); and
(B) provide technical assistance with respect to such model training program to unemployment compensation personnel.
(2) Application.--An entity seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form and manner, and containing such information as the Secretary specifies.
(3) Report.--
(A) Report to congress.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the program established under this subsection.
(B) Report available to public.--The Secretary shall establish procedures for the dissemination to the public of the report submitted under subparagraph (A) not later than 10 days after the submission of such report to Congress under such subparagraph. Such procedures shall include the use of the internet to disseminate such report.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
(i) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1)(A); and
(ii) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1)(B).
(B) Three-year availability of grant funds.--Each recipient of a grant under this subsection shall return to the Secretary any unused portion of such grant not later than 3 years after the date the grant was awarded, together with any earnings on such unused portion.
(C) Amounts returned.--Any amounts returned pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be available without further appropriation to the Secretary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of paragraph (1)(B).
(e) National Grant Program for Developing a Model Training Program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Personnel Training.--
(1) Grants authorized.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subsection referred to as the
``Secretary'') shall--
(A) develop and disseminate a model training program (and related materials) for the training required under 402(a)(8) of the Social Security Act, and if the state so elects, section 402(a)(7) of such Act; and
(B) provide technical assistance with respect to such model training program to eligible States (as defined in section 402 of the Social Security Act).
In developing the model training program under subparagraph
(A), the Secretary may award grants and contracts and may develop such program in cooperation with an eligible partner.
(2) Eligible partner defined.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), the term ``eligible partner'' means an entity that is--
(A) a State or tribal domestic violence coalition or sexual assault coalition; or
(B) a State or local victim service provider with recognized expertise in the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking whose primary mission is to provide services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including a rape crisis center or domestic violence program.
(3) Report.--
(A) Report to congress.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the program established under this subsection.
(B) Report available to public.--The Secretary shall establish procedures for the dissemination to the public of the report submitted under subparagraph (A) not later than 10 days after the submission of such report to Congress under such subparagraph. Such procedures shall include the use of the internet to disseminate such report.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
(A) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1)(A); and
(B) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1)(B).
(f) Conformity Review; Effective Dates.--
(1) Unemployment amendments.--
(A) Conformity review.--
(i) Initial guidance.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall issue guidance describing the requirements States must satisfy to conform to the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b).
(ii) Request for transmittal of information from states.--Not later than 30 days after the issuance of guidance under clause (i), the Secretary of Labor shall issue a request for the transmittal of information from States relating to the laws, regulations, and policies each State identifies to satisfy such requirements.
(iii) Deadline for submission of laws, regulations, and policies from states.--Not later than 120 days after the issuance of the request under clause (ii), each State which has an unemployment compensation law approved by the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act shall submit to the Secretary the laws, regulations, and policies identified pursuant to such clause.
(iv) Notification of the results of review to states.--Not later than 60 days after the expiration of the deadline described in clause (iii), the Secretary of Labor shall notify each State whether the laws, regulations, and policies identified by the State under such clause satisfy the requirements described pursuant to clause (i) and, to the extent such laws, regulations, and policies fail to satisfy such requirements, the Secretary of Labor shall inform the State of the steps the State may take to remedy such failure and provide any necessary technical assistance.
(B) Effective dates for unemployment amendments.--
(i) Provisions relating to survivors of domestic violence.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) shall apply with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning on or after the date that is 60 days after the earlier of--
(I) the date on which a State is notified by the Secretary of Labor under subparagraph (A)(iv) that the laws, regulations, and policies identified by the State satisfy the requirements described pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i); or
(II) in the case of a State that is notified by the Secretary of Labor under subparagraph (A)(iv) that the laws, regulations, and policies identified by the State fail to satisfy such requirements, 1 year after the date of such notification.
(ii) Provisions relating to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of sexual assault or stalking.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(2) shall apply with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning on or after the date that is 60 days after the earlier of--
(I) the date on which a State is notified by the Secretary of Labor under subparagraph (A)(iv) that the laws, regulations, and policies identified by the State satisfy the requirements described pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i); or
(II) in the case of a State that is notified by the Secretary of Labor under subparagraph (A)(iv) that the laws, regulations, and policies identified by the State fail to satisfy such requirements, 2 years after the date of such notification.
(iii) Provisions relating to documentation required.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(3) shall apply with respect to weeks of unemployment beginning on or after the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) TANF amendment.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendment made by subsection (c) shall be applicable in the next State plan submitted after the date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Extension of effective date for state law amendment.--In the case of a State plan under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State action (including legislation, regulation, or other administrative action) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendment made by subsection (c), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such amendment on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
SEC. 704. STUDY AND REPORTS ON BARRIERS TO SURVIVORS'
ECONOMIC SECURITY ACCESS.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall conduct a study on the barriers that survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking throughout the United States experience in maintaining economic security as a result of issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(b) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall submit a report to Congress on the study conducted under subsection (a).
(c) Contents.--The study and reports under this section shall include--
(1) identification of geographic areas in which State laws, regulations, and practices have a strong impact on the ability of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to exercise--
(A) any rights under this Act without compromising personal safety or the safety of others, including family members and excluding the abuser; and
(B) other components of economic security, including financial empowerment, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare access, and quality education and training opportunities;
(2) identification of geographic areas with shortages in resources for such survivors, with an accompanying analysis of the extent and impact of such shortage;
(3) analysis of factors related to industries, workplace settings, employer practices, trends, and other elements that impact the ability of such survivors to exercise any rights under this Act without compromising personal safety or the safety of others, including family members;
(4) the recommendations of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor with respect to resources, oversight, and enforcement tools to ensure successful implementation of the provisions of this Act in order to support the economic security and safety of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
(5) best practices for States, employers, health carriers, insurers, and other private entities in addressing issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
SEC. 705. GAO STUDY.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that examines, with respect to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who are, or were, enrolled at institutions of higher education and borrowed a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) for which the survivors have not repaid the total interest and principal due, each of the following:
(1) The implications of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking on a borrower's ability to repay their Federal student loans.
(2) The adequacy of policies and procedures regarding Federal student loan deferment, forbearance, and grace periods when a survivor has to suspend or terminate the survivor's enrollment at an institution of higher education due to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(3) The adequacy of institutional policies and practices regarding retention or transfer of credits when a survivor has to suspend or terminate the survivor's enrollment at an institution of higher education due to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(4) The availability or any options for a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who attended an institution of higher education that committed unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, or otherwise substantially misrepresented information to students, to be able to seek a defense to repayment of the survivor's Federal student loan.
(5) The limitations faced by a survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to obtain any relief or restitution on the survivor's Federal student loan debt due to the use of forced arbitration, gag orders, or bans on class actions.
SEC. 706. EDUCATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAMS FOR SURVIVORS.
(a) Public Education Campaign.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (though the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the Attorney General (through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women), and the grant recipient under section 41501 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 that establishes the national resource center on workplace responses to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence, shall coordinate and provide for a national public outreach and education campaign to raise public awareness of the workplace impact of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including outreach and education for employers, service providers, teachers, and other key partners. This campaign shall pay special attention to ensure that survivors are made aware of the existence of the following types of workplace laws (federal and/or State): anti-discrimination laws that bar treating survivors differently; leave laws, both paid and unpaid that are available for use by survivors; unemployment insurance laws and policies that address survivor eligibility. The provision of outreach and education under this paragraph shall be conducted in a manner that is equally effective for and accessible to people with disabilities and people without disabilities.
(2) Dissemination.--The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General, as described in paragraph (1), may disseminate information through the public outreach and education campaign on the resources and rights referred to in this subsection directly or through arrangements with health agencies, professional and nonprofit organizations, consumer groups, labor organizations, institutions of higher education, clinics, the media, and Federal, State, and local agencies.
(3) Information.--The information disseminated under paragraph (2) shall include, at a minimum, a description of--
(A) the resources and rights that are--
(i) available to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and
(ii) established in this Act and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291 et seq.);
(B) guidelines and best practices on prevention of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault;
(C) resources that promote healthy relationships and communication skills;
(D) resources that encourage bystander intervention in a situation involving domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault;
(E) resources that promote workplace policies that support and help maintain the economic security of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including guidelines and best practices to promote the creation of effective employee assistance programs; and
(F) resources and rights that the heads of Federal agencies described in paragraph (2) determine are appropriate to include.
(4) Common languages.--The Secretary of Labor shall ensure that the information disseminated to survivors under paragraph (2) is made available in commonly encountered languages.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Employee.--
(A) In general.--The term ``employee'' means any individual employed by an employer. In the case of an individual employed by a public agency, such term means an individual employed as described in section 3(e)(2) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(e)(2)).
(B) Basis.--The term includes a person employed as described in subparagraph (A) on a full- or part-time basis, for a fixed time period, on a temporary basis, pursuant to a detail, or as a participant in a work assignment as a condition of receipt of Federal or State income-based public assistance.
(2) Employer.--The term ``employer''--
(A) means any person engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce who employs 15 or more individuals; and
(B) includes any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee, and includes a public agency that employs individuals as described in section 3(e)(2) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, but does not include any labor organization (other than when acting as an employer) or anyone acting in the capacity of officer or agent of such labor organization.
(3) FLSA terms.--The terms ``employ'' and ``State'' have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203).
(c) Study on Workplace Responses.--The Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct a study on the status of workplace responses to employees who experience domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking while employed, in each State and nationally, to improve the access of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to supportive resources and economic security.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
SEC. 707. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, any amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of the provisions of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such provisions or amendments to any person or circumstance shall not be affected.
TITLE VIII--HOMICIDE REDUCTION INITIATIVES
SEC. 801. PROHIBITING PERSONS CONVICTED OF MISDEMEANOR CRIMES
AGAINST DATING PARTNERS AND PERSONS SUBJECT TO
PROTECTION ORDERS.
Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (32), by striking all that follows after
``The term `intimate partner' '' and inserting the following:
``--
``(A) means, with respect to a person, the spouse of the person, a former spouse of the person, an individual who is a parent of a child of the person, and an individual who cohabitates or has cohabited with the person; and
``(B) includes--
``(i) a dating partner or former dating partner; and
``(ii) any other person similarly situated to a spouse.Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to require that sexual contact between two persons have occurred to establish the existence of any relationship for purposes of this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, the term `dating partner' means, with respect to person, a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the person.'';
(2) in paragraph (33)(A)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the term'' and inserting ``The term'';
(B) in clause (i), by inserting after ``Federal, State,'' the following: ``local,''; and
(C) in clause (ii), by inserting ``intimate partner,'' after ``spouse,'' each place it appears;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (34) and (35) as paragraphs
(35) and (36) respectively; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (33) the following:
``(34)(A) The term `misdemeanor crime of stalking' means an offense that--
``(i) is a misdemeanor crime of stalking under Federal, State, Tribal, or municipal law; and
``(ii) is a course of harassment, intimidation, or surveillance of another person that--
``(I) places that person in reasonable fear of material harm to the health or safety of--
``(aa) that person;
``(bb) an immediate family member (as defined in section 115) of that person;
``(cc) a household member of that person; or
``(dd) a spouse or intimate partner of that person; or
``(II) causes, attempts to cause, or would reasonably be expected to cause emotional distress to a person described in item (aa), (bb), (cc), or (dd) of subclause (I).
``(B) A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter, unless--
``(i) the person was represented by counsel in the case, or knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel in the case; and
``(ii) in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this paragraph for which a person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either--
``(I) the case was tried by a jury; or
``(II) the person knowingly and intelligently waived the right to have the case tried by a jury, by guilty plea or otherwise.
``(C) A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter if the conviction has been expunged or set aside, or is an offense for which the person has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored (if the law of the applicable jurisdiction provides for the loss of civil rights under such an offense) unless the pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms.''.
SEC. 802. PROHIBITING STALKERS AND INDIVIDUALS SUBJECT TO
COURT ORDER FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM.
Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``that restrains such person'' and all that follows, and inserting ``described in subsection (g)(8);'';
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of stalking.''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
``(8) who is subject to a court order--
``(A) that was issued--
``(i) after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had an opportunity to participate; or
``(ii) in the case of an ex parte order, relative to which notice and opportunity to be heard are provided--
``(I) within the time required by State, Tribal, or territorial law; and
``(II) in any event within a reasonable time after the order is issued, sufficient to protect the due process rights of the person;
``(B) that restrains such person from--
``(i) harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child; or
``(ii) intimidating or dissuading a witness from testifying in court; and
``(C) that--
``(i) includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of such individual described in subparagraph (B); or
``(ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such individual described in subparagraph (B) that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury;'';
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the comma at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) who has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of stalking,''.
TITLE IX--SAFETY FOR INDIAN WOMEN
SEC. 901. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.5 times as likely to experience violent crimes--and at least 2 times more likely to experience rape or sexual assault crimes--compared to all other races.
(2) More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women, or 84.3 percent, have experienced violence in their lifetime.
(3) The vast majority of Native victims--96 percent of women and 89 percent of male victims--report being victimized by a non-Indian.
(4) Native victims of sexual violence are three times as likely to have experienced sexual violence by an interracial perpetrator as non-Hispanic White victims and Native stalking victims are nearly 4 times as likely to be stalked by someone of a different race.
(5) While Tribes exercising jurisdiction over non-Indians have reported significant successes, the inability to prosecute crimes related to the Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction crimes continues to leave Tribes unable to fully hold domestic violence offenders accountable.
(6) Tribal prosecutors report that the majority of domestic violence cases involve children either as witnesses or victims, and Department of Justice reports that American Indian and Alaska Native children suffer exposure to violence at rates higher than any other race in the United States.
(7) Childhood exposure to violence has immediate and long-term effects, including: increased rates of altered neurological development, poor physical and mental health, poor school performance, substance abuse, and overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system.
(8) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the third leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native women between 10 and 24 years of age and the fifth leading cause of death for American Indian and Alaska Native women between 25 and 34 years of age.
(9) On some reservations, Indian women are murdered at more than 10 times the national average.
(10) According to a 2010 Government Accountability Office report, United States Attorneys declined to prosecute nearly 52 percent of violent crimes that occur in Indian country.
(11) Investigation into cases of missing and murdered Indian women is made difficult for Tribal law enforcement agencies due to a lack of resources, such as--
(A) necessary training, equipment, or funding;
(B) a lack of interagency cooperation;
(C) a lack of appropriate laws in place; and
(D) a lack of access to Federal, State, and local law enforcement databases.
(12) Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous calls that law enforcement receives.
(13) The complicated jurisdictional scheme that exists in Indian country--
(A) has a significant negative impact on the ability to provide public safety to Indian communities;
(B) has been increasingly exploited by criminals; and
(C) requires a high degree of commitment and cooperation among Tribal, Federal, and State law enforcement officials.
(14) Restoring and enhancing local, Tribal capacity to address violence against women provides for greater local control, safety, accountability, and transparency.
(15) In States with restrictive land settlement acts such as Alaska, ``Indian country'' is limited, resources for local Tribal responses either nonexistent or insufficient to meet the needs, jurisdiction unnecessarily complicated and increases the already high levels of victimization of American Indian and Alaska Native women. According to the Tribal Law and Order Act Commission Report, Alaska Native women are over-represented in the domestic violence victim population by 250 percent; they comprise 19 percent of the State population, but are 47 percent of reported rape victims. And among other Indian Tribes, Alaska Native women suffer the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence in the country.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are--
(1) to clarify the responsibilities of Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments with respect to responding to cases of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, trafficking, sexual violence, crimes against children, and assault against Tribal law enforcement officers and murdered Indians;
(2) to increase coordination and communication among Federal, State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies;
(3) to empower Tribal governments with the resources and information necessary to effectively respond to cases of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sex trafficking, sexual violence, and missing and murdered Indians; and
(4) to increase the collection of data related to missing and murdered Indians and the sharing of information among Federal, State, and Tribal officials responsible for responding to and investigating cases of missing and murdered Indians.
SEC. 902. AUTHORIZING FUNDING FOR THE TRIBAL ACCESS PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 534 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended, for the purposes of enhancing the ability of Tribal government entities to access, enter information into, and obtain information from, Federal criminal information databases, as authorized by this section.''.
(b) Indian Tribe and Indian Law Enforcement Information Sharing.--Section 534 of title 28, United States Code, is further amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Indian Tribe and Indian Law Enforcement Information Sharing.--The Attorney General shall permit Tribal law enforcement entities (including entities designated by a Tribe as maintaining public safety within a Tribe's territorial jurisdiction that has no federal or state arrest authority) and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement agencies--
``(1) to access and enter information into Federal criminal information databases; and
``(2) to obtain information from the databases.''.
SEC. 903. TRIBAL JURISDICTION OVER COVERED CRIMES OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, OBSTRUCTION OF
JUSTICE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SEX TRAFFICKING,
STALKING, AND ASSAULT OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICER OR CORRECTIONS OFFICER.
Section 204 of Public Law 90-284 (25 U.S.C. 1304) (commonly known as the ``Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968'') is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``crimes of domestic violence'' and inserting ``crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and assault of a law enforcement or corrections officer'';
(2) in subsection (a)(6), in the heading, by striking
``Special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction'' and inserting ``Special tribal criminal jurisdiction'';
(3) by striking ``special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction'' each place such term appears and inserting
``special Tribal criminal jurisdiction'';
(4) in subsection (a)--
(A) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Stalking.--The term `stalking' means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person proscribed by the criminal law of the Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violation occurs that would cause a reasonable person to--
``(A) fear for the person's safety or the safety of others; or
``(B) suffer substantial emotional distress.'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs
(10) and (11);
(C) by inserting before paragraph (10) (as redesignated) the following:
``(8) Sex trafficking.--
``(A) In general.--The term `sex trafficking' means conduct--
``(i) consisting of--
``(I) recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, advertising, maintaining, patronizing, or soliciting by any means a person; or
``(II) benefitting, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture that has engaged in an act described in subclause (I); and
``(ii) carried out with the knowledge, or, except where the act constituting the violation of clause (i) is advertising, in reckless disregard of the fact, that--
``(I) means of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion, or any combination of such means will be used to cause the person to engage in a commercial sex act; or
``(II) the person has not attained the age of 18 years and will be caused to engage in a commercial sex act.
``(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph, the terms `coercion' and `commercial sex act' have the meanings given the terms in section 1591(e) of title 18, United States Code.
``(9) Sexual violence.--The term `sexual violence' means any nonconsensual sexual act or contact proscribed by the criminal law of the Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violation occurs, including in any case in which the victim lacks the capacity to consent to the act.'';
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs
(6) and (7);
(E) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as paragraphs (2) through (4);
(F) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated), to read as follows:
``(3) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence' means violence--
``(A) committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic- or family- violence laws of an Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violence occurs; or
``(B)(i) committed against a victim who is a child under the age of 18, or an elder (as such term is defined by Tribal law), including when an offender recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the victim, or committed as described in subparagraph (A) while the child or elder is present; and
``(ii) the child or elder--
``(I) resides or has resided in the same household as the offender;
``(II) is related to the offender by blood or marriage;
``(III) is related to another victim of the offender by blood or marriage;
``(IV) is under the care of a victim of the offender who is an intimate partner or former spouse; or
``(V) is under the care of a victim of the offender who is similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic- or family- violence laws of an Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violence occurs.'';
(G) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as redesignated), the following:
``(1) Assault of a law enforcement or correctional officer.--The term `assault of a law enforcement or correctional officer' means any criminal violation of the law of the Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violation occurs that involves the threatened, attempted, or actual harmful or offensive touching of a law enforcement or correctional officer.''; and
(H) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as redesignated), the following:
``(5) Obstruction of justice.--The term `obstruction of justice' means any violation of the criminal law of the Indian Tribe that has jurisdiction over the Indian country where the violation occurs, and the violation involves interfering with the administration or due process of the Tribe's laws including any Tribal criminal proceeding or investigation of a crime.'';
(5) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting after ``the powers of self-government of a participating Tribe'' the following:
``, including any participating Tribes in the State of Maine,'';
(6) in subsection (b)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting after ``over an alleged offense'' the following: ``, other than obstruction of justice or an act of assault of a law enforcement or corrections officer,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in clause (iii)(II), by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) is being prosecuted for a crime of sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking, obstructing justice, or assaulting a police or corrections officer under the laws of the prosecuting Tribe.'';
(7) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``domestic violence'' and inserting ``Tribal''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``and dating violence'' and inserting ``, dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking, or assault of a law enforcement or corrections officer''; and
(ii) by striking ``or dating violence'' and inserting ``, dating violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking, or assault of a law enforcement or corrections officer'';
(8) in subsection (d), by striking ``domestic violence'' each place it appears and inserting ``Tribal'';
(9) by striking subsections (f), (g), and (h) and inserting the following:
``(f) Grants and Reimbursement to Tribal Governments.--
``(1) Reimbursement.--
``(A) In general.--The Attorney General is authorized to reimburse Tribal government authorities for expenses incurred in exercising special Tribal criminal jurisdiction.
``(B) Eligible expenses.--Eligible expenses for reimbursement shall include--
``(i) expenses incurred to arrest or prosecute offenders and to detain inmates (including costs associated with providing health care);
``(ii) expenses related to indigent defense services; and
``(iii) costs associated with probation and rehabilitation services.
``(C) Procedure.--Reimbursements authorized pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the Attorney General after consultation with Indian Tribes and within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. The rules promulgated by the Department shall set a maximum allowable reimbursement to any Tribal government in a 1-year period.
``(2) Grants.--The Attorney General may award grants to the governments of Indian Tribes (or to authorized designees of those governments)--
``(A) to strengthen Tribal criminal justice systems to assist Indian Tribes in exercising special Tribal criminal jurisdiction, including--
``(i) law enforcement (including the capacity of law enforcement, court personnel, or other non-law enforcement entities that have no Federal or State arrest authority agencies but have been designated by a Tribe as responsible for maintaining public safety within its territorial jurisdiction, to enter information into and obtain information from national crime information databases);
``(ii) prosecution;
``(iii) trial and appellate courts (including facilities construction);
``(iv) probation systems;
``(v) detention and correctional facilities (including facilities construction);
``(vi) alternative rehabilitation centers;
``(vii) culturally appropriate services and assistance for victims and their families; and
``(viii) criminal codes and rules of criminal procedure, appellate procedure, and evidence;
``(B) to provide indigent criminal defendants with the effective assistance of licensed defense counsel, at no cost to the defendant, in criminal proceedings in which a participating Tribe prosecutes--
``(i) a crime of domestic violence;
``(ii) a crime of dating violence;
``(iii) a criminal violation of a protection order;
``(iv) a crime of sexual violence;
``(v) a crime of stalking;
``(vi) a crime of sex trafficking;
``(vii) a crime of obstruction of justice; or
``(viii) a crime of assault of a law enforcement or correctional officer;
``(C) to ensure that, in criminal proceedings in which a participating Tribe exercises special Tribal criminal jurisdiction, jurors are summoned, selected, and instructed in a manner consistent with all applicable requirements;
``(D) to accord victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, assault of a law enforcement or correctional officer, and violations of protection orders rights that are similar to the rights of a crime victim described in section 3771(a) of title 18, consistent with Tribal law and custom; and
``(E) to create a pilot project to allow up to five Indian Tribes in Alaska to implement special Tribal criminal jurisdiction.
``(g) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Amounts made available under this section shall supplement and not supplant any other Federal, State, Tribal, or local government amounts made available to carry out activities described in this section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out subsection (f) and to provide training, technical assistance, data collection, and evaluation of the criminal justice systems of participating Tribes.
``(i) Use of Funds.--Not less than 25 percent of the total amount of funds appropriated under this section in a given year shall be used for each of the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (f), with remaining funds available to be distributed for either of the purposes described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (f), or any combination of such purposes, depending on need and in consultation with Indian Tribes.'';
(10) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
``(j) Indian Country Defined.--For purposes of the pilot project described in subsection (f)(5), the definition of
`Indian country' shall include--
``(1) Alaska Native-owned Townsites, Allotments, and former reservation lands acquired in fee by Alaska Native Village Corporations pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 33) and other lands transferred in fee to Native villages; and
``(2) all lands within any Alaska Native village with a population that is at least 75 percent Alaska Native.''.
TITLE X--OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
SEC. 1001. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
(a) Establishment of Office on Violence Against Women.--Section 2002 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10442) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``a Violence Against Women Office'' and inserting ``an Office on Violence Against Women'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting after ``within the Department of Justice'' the following: ``, not subsumed by any other office''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (title VI of Public Law 103-322) or the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (Division B of Public Law 106-386)'' and inserting ``Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(title VII of Public Law 103-322), the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (division B of Public Law 106-386), the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54), and the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021''.
(b) Director of the Office on Violence Against Women.--Section 2003 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10443) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2003. DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST
WOMEN.
``(a) Appointment.--The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a Director for the Office on Violence Against Women (in this title referred to as the `Director') to be responsible, under the general authority of the Attorney General, for the administration, coordination, and implementation of the programs and activities of the Office.
``(b) Other Employment.--The Director shall not--
``(1) engage in any employment other than that of serving as Director; or
``(2) hold any office in, or act in any capacity for, any organization, agency, or institution with which the Office makes any contract or other agreement under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(title IV of Public Law 103-322), the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (division B of Public Law 106-386), the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54), or the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021.
``(c) Vacancy.--In the case of a vacancy, the President may designate an officer or employee who shall act as Director during the vacancy.
``(d) Compensation.--The Director shall be compensated at a rate of pay not to exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.''.
(c) Duties and Functions of Director of the Office on Violence Against Women.--Section 2004 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10444) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2004. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE
ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
``The Director shall have the following duties:
``(1) Maintaining liaison with the judicial branches of the Federal and State Governments on matters relating to violence against women.
``(2) Providing information to the President, the Congress, the judiciary, State, local, and Tribal governments, and the general public on matters relating to violence against women.
``(3) Serving, at the request of the Attorney General, as the representative of the Department of Justice on domestic task forces, committees, or commissions addressing policy or issues relating to violence against women.
``(4) Serving, at the request of the President, acting through the Attorney General, as the representative of the United States Government on human rights and economic justice matters related to violence against women in international fora, including, but not limited to, the United Nations.
``(5) Carrying out the functions of the Department of Justice under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (title IV of Public Law 103-322), the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (division B of Public Law 106-386), the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-162; 119 Stat. 3080), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-4; 127 Stat. 54), and the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021, including with respect to those functions--
``(A) the development of policy, protocols, and guidelines;
``(B) the development and management of grant programs and other programs, and the provision of technical assistance under such programs; and
``(C) the awarding and termination of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts.
``(6) Providing technical assistance, coordination, and support to--
``(A) other components of the Department of Justice, in efforts to develop policy and to enforce Federal laws relating to violence against women, including the litigation of civil and criminal actions relating to enforcing such laws;
``(B) other Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies, in efforts to develop policy, provide technical assistance, synchronize Federal definitions and protocols, and improve coordination among agencies carrying out efforts to eliminate violence against women, including Indian or indigenous women; and
``(C) grantees, in efforts to combat violence against women and to provide support and assistance to victims of such violence.
``(7) Exercising such other powers and functions as may be vested in the Director pursuant to this subchapter or by delegation of the Attorney General.
``(8) Establishing such rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures as are necessary to carry out any function of the Office.''.
(d) Staff of Office on Violence Against Women.--Section 2005 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10445) is amended in the heading, by striking
``violence against women office'' and inserting ``office on violence against women''.
(e) Clerical Amendment.--Section 121(a)(1) of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20124(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``the Violence Against Women Office'' and inserting ``the Office on Violence Against Women''.
SEC. 1002. OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN A DEPUTY DIRECTOR
FOR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES.
Part T of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
(34 U.S.C. 10441 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 2004 the following:
``SEC. 2004A. DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC
COMMUNITIES.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Office on Violence Against Women a Deputy Director for Culturally Specific Communities.
``(b) Duties.--The Deputy Director shall, under the guidance and authority of the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women--
``(1) oversee the administration of grants related to culturally specific services and contracts with culturally specific organizations;
``(2) coordinate development of Federal policy, protocols, and guidelines on matters relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, in culturally specific communities;
``(3) advise the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women concerning policies, legislation, implementation of laws, and other issues relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in culturally specific communities;
``(4) provide technical assistance, coordination, and support to other offices and bureaus in the Department of Justice to develop policy and to enforce Federal laws relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in culturally specific communities;
``(5) ensure that appropriate technical assistance, developed and provided by entities having expertise in culturally specific communities is made available to grantees and potential grantees proposing to serve culturally specific communities; and
``(6) ensure access to grants and technical assistance for culturally specific organizations and analyze the distribution of funding in order to identify barriers for culturally specific organizations.''.
TITLE XI--IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY
SEC. 1101. IMPROVING THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY CARETAKER
PARENTS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN FEDERAL
PRISONS.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Ramona Brant Improvement of Conditions for Women in Federal Custody Act''.
(b) In General.--Chapter 303 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 4051. Treatment of primary caretaker parents and other individuals
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `correctional officer' means a correctional officer of the Bureau of Prisons;
``(2) the term `covered institution' means a Federal penal or correctional institution;
``(3) the term `Director' means the Director of the Bureau of Prisons;
``(4) the term `post-partum recovery' means the first 8-week period of post-partum recovery after giving birth;
``(5) the term `primary caretaker parent' has the meaning given the term in section 31903 of the Family Unity Demonstration Project Act (34 U.S.C. 12242);
``(6) the term `prisoner' means an individual who is incarcerated in a Federal penal or correctional institution, including a vulnerable person; and
``(7) the term `vulnerable person' means an individual who--
``(A) is under 21 years of age or over 60 years of age;
``(B) is pregnant;
``(C) identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex;
``(D) is victim or witness of a crime;
``(E) has filed a nonfrivolous civil rights claim in Federal or State court;
``(F) has a serious mental or physical illness or disability; or
``(G) during the period of incarceration, has been determined to have experienced or to be experiencing severe trauma or to be the victim of gender-based violence--
``(i) by any court or administrative judicial proceeding;
``(ii) by any corrections official;
``(iii) by the individual's attorney or legal service provider; or
``(iv) by the individual.
``(b) Geographic Placement.--
``(1) Establishment of office.--The Director shall establish within the Bureau of Prisons an office that determines the placement of prisoners.
``(2) Placement of prisoners.--In determining the placement of a prisoner, the office established under paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) if the prisoner has children, place the prisoner as close to the children as possible;
``(B) in deciding whether to assign a transgender or intersex prisoner to a facility for male or female prisoners, and in making other housing and programming assignments, consider on a case-by-case basis whether a placement would ensure the prisoner's health and safety, including serious consideration of the prisoner's own views with respect to their safety, and whether the placement would present management or security problems; and
``(C) consider any other factor that the office determines to be appropriate.
``(c) Prohibition on Placement of Pregnant Prisoners or Prisoners in Post-Partum Recovery in Segregated Housing Units.--
``(1) Placement in segregated housing units.--A covered institution may not place a prisoner who is pregnant or in post-partum recovery in a segregated housing unit unless the prisoner presents an immediate risk of harm to the prisoner or others.
``(2) Restrictions.--Any placement of a prisoner described in subparagraph (A) in a segregated housing unit shall be limited and temporary.
``(d) Parenting Classes.--The Director shall provide parenting classes to each prisoner who is a primary caretaker parent, and such classes shall be made available to prisoners with limited English proficiency in compliance with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
``(e) Trauma Screening.--The Director shall provide training, including cultural competency training, to each correctional officer and each employee of the Bureau of Prisons who regularly interacts with prisoners, including each instructor and health care professional, to enable those correctional officers and employees to--
``(1) identify a prisoner who has a mental or physical health need relating to trauma the prisoner has experienced; and
``(2) refer a prisoner described in paragraph (1) to the proper healthcare professional for treatment.
``(f) Inmate Health.--
``(1) Health care access.--The Director shall ensure that all prisoners receive adequate health care.
``(2) Hygienic products.--The Director shall make essential hygienic products, including shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and any other hygienic product that the Director determines appropriate, available without charge to prisoners.
``(3) Gynecologist access.--The Director shall ensure that all prisoners have access to a gynecologist as appropriate.
``(g) Use of Sex-Appropriate Correctional Officers.--
``(1) Regulations.--The Director shall make rules under which--
``(A) a correctional officer may not conduct a strip search of a prisoner of the opposite sex unless--
``(i) the prisoner presents a risk of immediate harm to the prisoner or others, and no other correctional officer of the same sex as the prisoner, or medical staff is available to assist; or
``(ii) the prisoner has previously requested that an officer of a different sex conduct searches;
``(B) a correctional officer may not enter a restroom reserved for prisoners of the opposite sex unless--
``(i) a prisoner in the restroom presents a risk of immediate harm to themselves or others; or
``(ii) there is a medical emergency in the restroom and no other correctional officer of the appropriate sex is available to assist;
``(C) a transgender prisoner's sex is determined according to the sex with which they identify; and
``(D) a correctional officer may not search or physically examine a prisoner for the sole purpose of determining the prisoner's genital status or sex.
``(2) Relation to other laws.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to affect the requirements under the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (42 U.S.C. 15601 et seq.).''.
(c) Substance Abuse Treatment.--Section 3621(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Eligibility of primary caretaker parents and pregnant women.--The Director of the Bureau of Prisons may not prohibit an eligible prisoner who is a primary caretaker parent (as defined in section 4051) or pregnant from participating in a program of residential substance abuse treatment provided under paragraph (1) on the basis of a failure by the eligible prisoner, before being committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, to disclose to any official of the Bureau of Prisons that the prisoner had a substance abuse problem on or before the date on which the eligible prisoner was committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.''.
(d) Implementation Date.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall implement this section and the amendments made by this section.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of this section and the amendments made by this section.
(e) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 303 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``4051. Treatment of primary caretaker parents and other individuals.''.
SEC. 1102. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Stop Infant Mortality And Recidivism Reduction Act'' or the
``SIMARRA Act''.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (in this section referred to as the
``Director'') shall establish a pilot program (in this section referred to as the ``Program'') in accordance with this section to permit women incarcerated in Federal prisons and the children born to such women during incarceration to reside together while the inmate serves a term of imprisonment in a separate housing wing of the prison.
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are to--
(1) prevent infant mortality among infants born to incarcerated mothers and greatly reduce the trauma and stress experienced by the unborn fetuses of pregnant inmates;
(2) reduce the recidivism rates of federally incarcerated women and mothers, and enhance public safety by improving the effectiveness of the Federal prison system for women as a population with special needs;
(3) establish female offender risk and needs assessment as the cornerstones of a more effective and efficient Federal prison system;
(4) implement a validated post-sentencing risk and needs assessment system that relies on dynamic risk factors to provide Federal prison officials with a roadmap to address the pre- and post-natal needs of Federal pregnant offenders, manage limited resources, and enhance public safety;
(5) perform regular outcome evaluations of the effectiveness of programs and interventions for federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers to assure that such programs and interventions are evidence-based and to suggest changes, deletions, and expansions based on the results of such evaluations; and
(6) assist the Department of Justice to address the underlying cost structure of the Federal prison system and ensure that the Department can continue to run prison nurseries safely and securely without compromising the scope or quality of the Department's critical health, safety and law enforcement missions.
(d) Duties of the Director of Bureau of Prisons.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall carry out this section in consultation with--
(A) a licensed and board-certified gynecologist or obstetrician;
(B) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts;
(C) the Director of the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services;
(D) the Director of the National Institute of Justice; and
(E) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(2) Duties.--The Director shall, in accordance with paragraph (3)--
(A) develop an offender risk and needs assessment system particular to the health and sensitivities of Federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers in accordance with this subsection;
(B) develop recommendations regarding recidivism reduction programs and productive activities in accordance with subsection (c);
(C) conduct ongoing research and data analysis on--
(i) the best practices relating to the use of offender risk and needs assessment tools particular to the health and sensitivities of federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers;
(ii) the best available risk and needs assessment tools particular to the health and sensitivities of Federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers and the level to which they rely on dynamic risk factors that could be addressed and changed over time, and on measures of risk of recidivism, individual needs, and responsiveness to recidivism reduction programs;
(iii) the most effective and efficient uses of such tools in conjunction with recidivism reduction programs, productive activities, incentives, and rewards; and
(iv) which recidivism reduction programs are the most effective--
(I) for Federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers classified at different recidivism risk levels; and
(II) for addressing the specific needs of Federally incarcerated pregnant women and mothers;
(D) on a biennial basis, review the system developed under subparagraph (A) and the recommendations developed under subparagraph (B), using the research conducted under subparagraph (C), to determine whether any revisions or updates should be made, and if so, make such revisions or updates;
(E) hold periodic meetings with the individuals listed in paragraph (1) at intervals to be determined by the Director;
(F) develop tools to communicate parenting program availability and eligibility criteria to each employee of the Bureau of Prisons and each pregnant inmate to ensure that each pregnant inmate in the custody of a Bureau of Prisons facility understands the resources available to such inmate; and
(G) report to Congress in accordance with subsection (i).
(3) Methods.--In carrying out the duties under paragraph
(2), the Director shall--
(A) consult relevant stakeholders; and
(B) make decisions using data that is based on the best available statistical and empirical evidence.
(e) Eligibility.--An inmate may apply to participate in the Program if the inmate--
(1) is pregnant at the beginning of or during the term of imprisonment; and
(2) is in the custody or control of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
(f) Program Terms.--
(1) Term of participation.--To correspond with the purposes and goals of the Program to promote bonding during the critical stages of child development, an eligible inmate selected for the Program may participate in the Program, subject to subsection (g), until the earliest of--
(A) the date that the inmate's term of imprisonment terminates;
(B) the date the infant fails to meet any medical criteria established by the Director or the Director's designee along with a collective determination of the persons listed in subsection (d)(1); or
(C) 30 months.
(2) Inmate requirements.--For the duration of an inmate's participation in the Program, the inmate shall agree to--
(A) take substantive steps towards acting in the role of a parent or guardian to any child of that inmate;
(B) participate in any educational or counseling opportunities established by the Director, including topics such as child development, parenting skills, domestic violence, vocational training, or substance abuse, as appropriate;
(C) abide by any court decision regarding the legal or physical custody of the child;
(D) transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons any child support payments for the infant of the participating inmate from any person or governmental entity; and
(E) specify a person who has agreed to take at least temporary custody of the child if the inmate's participation in the Program terminates before the inmate's release.
(g) Continuity of Care.--The Director shall take appropriate actions to prevent detachment or disruption of either an inmate's or infant's health and bonding-based well-being due to termination of the Program.
(h) Reporting.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section and once each year thereafter for 5 years, the Director shall submit a report to the Congress with regards to progress in implementing the Program.
(2) Final report.--Not later than 6 months after the termination of the Program, the Director shall issue a final report to the Congress that contains a detailed statement of the Director's findings and conclusions, including recommendations for legislation, administrative actions, and regulations the Director considers appropriate.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
SEC. 1103. RESEARCH AND REPORT ON WOMEN IN FEDERAL
INCARCERATION.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and thereafter, every other year, the National Institutes of Justice, in consultation with the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Prisons (including the Women and Special Population Branch) shall prepare a report on the status of women in federal incarceration. Depending on the topic to be addressed, and the facility, data shall be collected from Bureau of Prisons personnel and a sample that is representative of the population of incarcerated women. The report shall include:
(1) With regard to federal facilities wherein women are incarcerated--
(A) responses by such women to questions from the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACES) questionnaire;
(B) demographic data of such women, including sexual orientation and gender identity;
(C) responses by such women to questions about the extent of exposure to sexual victimization, sexual violence and domestic violence (both inside and outside of incarceration);
(D) the number of such women were pregnant at the time that they entered incarceration;
(E) the number of such women who have children age 18 or under, and if so, how many; and
(F) the crimes for which such women are incarcerated and the length of their sentence and to the extent practicable, any information on the connection between the crime of which they were convicted & their experience of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(2) With regard to all federal facilities where persons are incarcerated--
(A) a list of best practices with respect to women's incarceration and transition, including staff led programs, services and management practices (including making sanitary products readily available and easily accessible, and access to and provision of healthcare);
(B) the availability of trauma treatment at each facility
(including number of beds, and number of trained staff);
(C) rates of serious mental illness broken down by gender and security level and a list of residential programs available by site; and
(D) the availability of vocational education and a list of vocational programs provided by each facility.
SEC. 1104. REENTRY PLANNING AND SERVICES FOR INCARCERATED
WOMEN.
The Attorney General, in coordination with the Chief of U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (including Women and Special Population Branch), shall collaborate on a model of gender responsive transition for incarcerated women, including the development of a national standard on prevention with respect to domestic and sexual violence. In developing the model, the Chief and the Director shall consult with such experts within the federal government (including the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice) and in the victim service provider community (including sexual and domestic violence and homelessness, job training and job placement service providers) as are necessary to the completion of a comprehensive plan. Issues addressed should include--
(1) the development by the Bureau of Prisons of a contract for gender collaborative services; and
(2) identification by re-entry affairs coordinators and responsive planning for the needs of re-entering women with respect to--
(A) housing, including risk of homelessness;
(B) previous exposure to and risk for domestic and sexual violence; and
(C) the need for parenting classes, assistance securing childcare, or assistance in seeking or securing jobs that afford flexibility (as might be necessary in the re-entry, parenting or other contexts).
TITLE XII--LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY
SEC. 1201. NOTIFICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF
PROHIBITED PURCHASE OR ATTEMPTED PURCHASE OF A
FIREARM.
(a) In General.--Title I of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 108. NOTIFICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OF
PROHIBITED PURCHASE OF A FIREARM.
``(a) In General.--In the case of a background check conducted by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System pursuant to the request of a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer of firearms (as such terms are defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code), which background check determines that the receipt of a firearm by a person would violate subsection
(g)(8), (g)(9), or (g)(10) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, and such determination is made after 3 business days have elapsed since the licensee contacted the System and a firearm has been transferred to that person, the System shall notify the law enforcement agencies described in subsection (b).
``(b) Law Enforcement Agencies Described.--The law enforcement agencies described in this subsection are the law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the location from which the licensee contacted the system and the law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the location of the residence of the person for which the background check was conducted, as follows:
``(1) The field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
``(2) The local law enforcement agency.
``(3) The State law enforcement agency.
``(4) The Tribal law enforcement agency.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 10 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 107 the following:
``Sec. 108. Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited purchase of a firearm.''.
SEC. 1202. REPORTING OF BACKGROUND CHECK DENIALS TO STATE,
LOCAL, AND TRIBAL AUTHORITIES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 925A the following:
``Sec. 925B. Reporting of background check denials to State, local, and Tribal authorities
``(a) In General.--If the national instant criminal background check system established under section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note) provides a notice pursuant to section 922(t) of this title that the receipt of a firearm by a person would violate subsection (g)(8), (g)(9), or (g)(10) of section 922 of this title or State law, the Attorney General shall, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section--
``(1) report to the law enforcement authorities of the State where the person sought to acquire the firearm and, if different, the law enforcement authorities of the State of residence of the person--
``(A) that the notice was provided;
``(B) of the specific provision of law that would have been violated;
``(C) of the date and time the notice was provided;
``(D) of the location where the firearm was sought to be acquired; and
``(E) of the identity of the person; and
``(2) report the incident to local or Tribal law enforcement authorities and, where practicable, State, Tribal, or local prosecutors, in the jurisdiction where the firearm was sought and in the jurisdiction where the person resides.
``(b) Requirements for Report.--A report is made in accordance with this subsection if the report is made within 24 hours after the provision of the notice described in subsection (a), except that the making of the report may be delayed for so long as is necessary to avoid compromising an ongoing investigation.
``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to require a report with respect to a person to be made to the same State authorities that originally issued the notice with respect to the person.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 925A the following:
``925B. Reporting of background check denials to State, local, and
Tribal authorities.''.
SEC. 1203. SPECIAL ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEYS AND CROSS-
DEPUTIZED ATTORNEYS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 925B the following:
``Sec. 925C. Special assistant U.S. attorneys and cross-
deputized attorneys
``(a) In General.--In order to improve the enforcement of paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) of section 922(g), the Attorney General may--
``(1) appoint, in accordance with section 543 of title 28, qualified State, Tribal, territorial and local prosecutors and qualified attorneys working for the United States government to serve as special assistant United States attorneys for the purpose of prosecuting violations of such paragraphs;
``(2) deputize State, Tribal, territorial and local law enforcement officers for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in responding to and investigating violations of such paragraphs; and
``(3) establish, in order to receive and expedite requests for assistance from State, Tribal, territorial and local law enforcement agencies responding to intimate partner violence cases where such agencies have probable cause to believe that the offenders may be in violation of such paragraphs, points of contact within--
``(A) each Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and
``(B) each District Office of the United States Attorneys.
``(b) Improve Intimate Partner and Public Safety.--The Attorney General shall--
``(1) identify no less than 75 jurisdictions among States, territories and Tribes where there are high rates of firearms violence and threats of firearms violence against intimate partners and other persons protected under paragraphs (8),
(9), and (10) of section 922(g) and where local authorities lack the resources to address such violence; and
``(2) make such appointments as described in subsection (a) in jurisdictions where enhanced enforcement of such paragraphs is necessary to reduce firearms homicide and injury rates.
``(c) Qualified Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term `qualified' means, with respect to an attorney, that the attorney is a licensed attorney in good standing with any relevant licensing authority.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 925B the following:
``925C. Special assistant U.S. attorneys and cross-deputized attorneys.''.
TITLE XIII--CLOSING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSENT LOOPHOLE
SEC. 1301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Closing the Law Enforcement Consent Loophole Act of 2021''.
SEC. 1302. PROHIBITION ON ENGAGING IN SEXUAL ACTS WHILE
ACTING UNDER COLOR OF LAW.
(a) In General.--Section 2243 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by adding at the end the following: ``or by any person acting under color of law'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(d) and (e), respectively;
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Of an Individual by Any Person Acting Under Color of Law.--
``(1) In general.--Whoever, acting under color of law, knowingly engages in a sexual act with an individual, including an individual who is under arrest, in detention, or otherwise in the actual custody of any Federal law enforcement officer, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
``(2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `sexual act' has the meaning given the term in section 2246.''; and
(4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by adding at the end the following:
``(3) In a prosecution under subsection (c), it is not a defense that the other individual consented to the sexual act.''.
(b) Definition.--Section 2246 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) the term `Federal law enforcement officer' has the meaning given the term in section 115.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 109A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by amending the item related to section 2243 to read as follows:
``2243. Sexual abuse of a minor or ward or by any person acting under color of law.''.
SEC. 1303. INCENTIVES FOR STATES.
(a) Authority To Make Grants.--The Attorney General is authorized to make grants to States that have in effect a law that--
(1) makes it a criminal offense for any person acting under color of law of the State to engage in a sexual act with an individual, including an individual who is under arrest, in detention, or otherwise in the actual custody of any law enforcement officer; and
(2) prohibits a person charged with an offense described in paragraph (1) from asserting the consent of the other individual as a defense.
(b) Reporting Requirement.--A State that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Attorney General, on an annual basis, information on--
(1) the number of reports made to law enforcement agencies in that State regarding persons engaging in a sexual act while acting under color of law during the previous year; and
(2) the disposition of each case in which sexual misconduct by a person acting under color of law was reported during the previous year.
(c) Application.--A State seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including information about the law described in subsection (a).
(d) Grant Amount.--The amount of a grant to a State under this section shall be in an amount that is not greater than 10 percent of the average of the total amount of funding of the 3 most recent awards that the State received under the following grant programs:
(1) Part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10441 et seq.) (commonly referred to as the ``STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program'').
(2) Section 41601 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(34 U.S.C. 12511) (commonly referred to as the ``Sexual Assault Services Program'').
(e) Grant Term.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall provide an increase in the amount provided to a State under the grant programs described in subsection (d) for a 2-year period.
(2) Renewal.--A State that receives a grant under this section may submit an application for a renewal of such grant at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(3) Limit.--A State may not receive a grant under this section for more than 4 years.
(f) Uses of Funds.--A State that receives a grant under this section shall use--
(1) 25 percent of such funds for any of the permissible uses of funds under the grant program described in paragraph
(1) of subsection (d); and
(2) 75 percent of such funds for any of the permissible uses of funds under the grant program described in paragraph
(2) of subsection (d).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this chapter $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
(h) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
``State'' means each of the several States and the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
SEC. 1304. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Report by Attorney General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report containing--
(1) the information required to be reported to the Attorney General under section 3(b); and
(2) information on--
(A) the number of reports made, during the previous year, to Federal law enforcement agencies regarding persons engaging in a sexual act while acting under color of law; and
(B) the disposition of each case in which sexual misconduct by a person acting under color of law was reported.
(b) Report by GAO.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on any violations of section 2243(c) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 2, committed during the 1-year period covered by the report.
SEC. 1305. DEFINITION.
In this title, the term ``sexual act'' has the meaning given the term in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.
TITLE XIV--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 1401. NATIONAL STALKER AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REDUCTION.
Section 40603 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12402) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 1402. FEDERAL VICTIM ASSISTANTS REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 40114 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-322) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 40114. AUTHORIZATION FOR FEDERAL VICTIM'S
COORDINATORS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated for the United States Attorneys for the purpose of appointing victim/witness coordinators for the prosecution of sex crimes and domestic violence crimes where applicable (such as the District of Columbia), $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
SEC. 1403. CHILD ABUSE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR JUDICIAL
PERSONNEL AND PRACTITIONERS REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 224(a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20334(a)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 1404. SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT.
Section 40152(c) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12311(c)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 1405. COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM.
Section 219(a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (34 U.S.C. 20324(a)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 1406. SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAM PROGRAM GRANTS.
Section 304(d) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004 (34 U.S.C. 40723(d)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2024'' and inserting ``2022 through 2026''.
SEC. 1407. REVIEW ON LINK BETWEEN SUBSTANCE USE AND VICTIMS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, OR STALKING.
Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall complete a review and submit a report to Congress on whether being a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking increases the likelihood of having a substance use disorder.
SEC. 1408. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO STUDY FEDERAL EFFORTS
TO COLLECT DATA ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish an interagency working group (in this section referred to as the ``Working Group'') to study Federal efforts to collect data on sexual violence and to make recommendations on the harmonization of such efforts.
(b) Composition.--The Working Group shall be comprised of at least one representative from the following agencies, who shall be selected by the head of that agency:
(1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(2) The Department of Education.
(3) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(4) The Department of Justice.
(5) The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
(c) Duties.--The Working Group shall consider the following:
(1) What activity constitutes different acts of sexual violence.
(2) Whether reports that use the same terms for acts of sexual violence are collecting the same data on these acts.
(3) Whether the context which led to an act of sexual violence should impact how that act is accounted for in reports.
(4) Whether the data collected is presented in a way that allows the general public to understand what acts of sexual violence are included in each measurement.
(5) Steps that agencies that compile reports relating to sexual violence can take to avoid double counting incidents of sexual violence.
(d) Report Required.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall publish and submit to Congress a report on the following:
(1) The activities of the Working Group.
(2) Recommendations to harmonize Federal efforts to collect data on sexual violence.
(3) Actions Federal agencies can take to implement the recommendations described in paragraph (2).
(4) Recommendations, if any, for congressional action to implement the recommendations described in paragraph (2).
(e) Termination.--The Working Group shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the report is submitted pursuant to subsection (d).
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Harmonize.--The term ``harmonize'' includes efforts to coordinate sexual violence data collection to produce complementary information, as appropriate, without compromising programmatic needs.
(2) Sexual violence.--The term ``sexual violence'' includes an unwanted sexual act (including both contact and non-contact) about which the Federal Government collects information.
SEC. 1409. NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE.
Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, a national domestic violence hotline for which a grant is provided under section 313 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act shall include the voluntary feature of texting via telephone to ensure all methods of communication are available for victims and those seeking assistance.
SEC. 1410. DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL ON CULTURALLY
SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE OFFICE OF
JUSTICE PROGRAMS.
There shall be a Deputy Assistant Attorney General on Culturally Specific Communities within the Office of Justice Programs who shall, under the guidance and authority of the Assistant Attorney General Office of Justice Programs--
(1) oversee the administration of grants related to culturally specific services and contracts with culturally specific organizations;
(2) coordinate development of Federal policy, protocols, and guidelines on matters relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, in culturally specific communities;
(3) advise the Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs concerning policies, legislation, implementation of laws, and other issues relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in culturally specific communities;
(4) provide technical assistance, coordination, and support to other offices and bureaus in the Department of Justice to develop policy and to enforce Federal laws relating to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in culturally specific communities;
(5) ensure that appropriate technical assistance, developed and provided by entities having expertise in culturally specific is made available to grantees and potential grantees proposing to serve culturally specific communities; and
(6) ensure access to grants and technical assistance for culturally specific organizations and analyze the distribution of funding in order to identify barriers for culturally specific organizations.
TITLE XV--CYBERCRIME ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 1501. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF
CYBERCRIMES.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Attorney General shall award grants under this section to States and units of local government for the prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of cybercrimes against individuals.
(b) Application.--
(1) In general.--To request a grant under this section, the chief executive officer of a State or unit of local government shall submit an application to the Attorney General within 90 days after the date on which funds to carry out this section are appropriated for a fiscal year, in such form as the Attorney General may require. Such application shall include the following:
(A) A certification that Federal funds made available under this section will not be used to supplant State or local funds, but will be used to increase the amounts of such funds that would, in the absence of Federal funds, be made available for law enforcement activities.
(B) An assurance that, not fewer than 30 days before the application (or any amendment to the application) was submitted to the Attorney General, the application (or amendment) was submitted for review to the governing body of the State or unit of local government (or to an organization designated by that governing body).
(C) An assurance that, before the application (or any amendment to the application) was submitted to the Attorney General--
(i) the application (or amendment) was made public; and
(ii) an opportunity to comment on the application (or amendment) was provided to citizens and to neighborhood or community-based organizations, to the extent applicable law or established procedure makes such an opportunity available.
(D) An assurance that, for each fiscal year covered by an application, the applicant shall maintain and report such data, records, and information (programmatic and financial) as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(E) A certification, made in a form acceptable to the Attorney General and executed by the chief executive officer of the applicant (or by another officer of the applicant, if qualified under regulations promulgated by the Attorney General), that--
(i) the programs to be funded by the grant meet all the requirements of this section;
(ii) all the information contained in the application is correct;
(iii) there has been appropriate coordination with affected agencies; and
(iv) the applicant will comply with all provisions of this section and all other applicable Federal laws.
(F) A certification that the State or in the case of a unit of local government, the State in which the unit of local government is located, has in effect criminal laws which prohibit cybercrimes against individuals.
(G) A certification that any equipment described in subsection (c)(7) purchased using grant funds awarded under this section will be used primarily for investigations and forensic analysis of evidence in matters involving cybercrimes against individuals.
(c) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under this section may only be used for programs that provide--
(1) training for State or local law enforcement personnel relating to cybercrimes against individuals, including--
(A) training such personnel to identify and protect victims of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) training such personnel to utilize Federal, State, local, and other resources to assist victims of cybercrimes against individuals;
(C) training such personnel to identify and investigate cybercrimes against individuals;
(D) training such personnel to enforce and utilize the laws that prohibit cybercrimes against individuals;
(E) training such personnel to utilize technology to assist in the investigation of cybercrimes against individuals and enforcement of laws that prohibit such crimes; and
(F) the payment of overtime incurred as a result of such training;
(2) training for State or local prosecutors, judges, and judicial personnel, relating to cybercrimes against individuals, including--
(A) training such personnel to identify, investigate, prosecute, or adjudicate cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) training such personnel to utilize laws that prohibit cybercrimes against individuals;
(C) training such personnel to utilize Federal, State, local, and other resources to assist victims of cybercrimes against individuals; and
(D) training such personnel to utilize technology to assist in the prosecution or adjudication of acts of cybercrimes against individuals, including the use of technology to protect victims of such crimes;
(3) training for State or local emergency dispatch personnel relating to cybercrimes against individuals, including--
(A) training such personnel to identify and protect victims of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) training such personnel to utilize Federal, State, local, and other resources to assist victims of cybercrimes against individuals;
(C) training such personnel to utilize technology to assist in the identification of and response to cybercrimes against individuals; and
(D) the payment of overtime incurred as a result of such training;
(4) assistance to State or local law enforcement agencies in enforcing laws that prohibit cybercrimes against individuals, including expenses incurred in performing enforcement operations, such as overtime payments;
(5) assistance to State or local law enforcement agencies in educating the public in order to prevent, deter, and identify violations of laws that prohibit cybercrimes against individuals;
(6) assistance to State or local law enforcement agencies to establish task forces that operate solely to conduct investigations, forensic analyses of evidence, and prosecutions in matters involving cybercrimes against individuals;
(7) assistance to State or local law enforcement and prosecutors in acquiring computers, computer equipment, and other equipment necessary to conduct investigations and forensic analysis of evidence in matters involving cybercrimes against individuals, including expenses incurred in the training, maintenance, or acquisition of technical updates necessary for the use of such equipment for the duration of a reasonable period of use of such equipment;
(8) assistance in the facilitation and promotion of sharing, with State and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors, of the expertise and information of Federal law enforcement agencies about the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of matters involving laws that prohibit cybercrimes against individuals, including the use of multijurisdictional task forces; or
(9) assistance to State and local law enforcement and prosecutors in processing interstate extradition requests for violations of laws involving cybercrimes against individuals, including expenses incurred in the extradition of an offender from one State to another.
(d) Report to the Secretary.--On the date that is 1 year after the date on which a State or unit of local government receives a grant under this section, and annually thereafter, the chief executive of such State or unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General a report which contains--
(1) a summary of the activities carried out during the previous year with any grant received by such State or unit of local government;
(2) an evaluation of the results of such activities; and
(3) such other information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered fiscal year, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report that contains a compilation of the information contained in the report submitted under subsection (d).
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
(2) Limitation.--Of the amount made available under paragraph (1) in any fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be used for evaluation, monitoring, technical assistance, salaries, and administrative expenses.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``cybercrimes against individuals'' means the criminal offenses applicable in the relevant State or unit of local government that involve the use of a computer to cause personal harm to an individual, such as the use of a computer to harass, threaten, stalk, extort, coerce, cause fear, intimidate, without consent distribute intimate images of, or violate the privacy of, an individual, except that--
(A) use of a computer need not be an element of such an offense; and
(B) such term does not include the use of a computer to cause harm to a commercial entity, government agency, or any non-natural persons.
(2) The term ``computer'' includes a computer network and an interactive electronic device.
SEC. 1502. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER GRANT.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Attorney General shall award a grant under this section to an eligible entity for the purpose of the establishment and maintenance of a National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals to provide resource information, training, and technical assistance to improve the capacity of individuals, organizations, governmental entities, and communities to prevent, enforce, and prosecute cybercrimes against individuals.
(b) Application.--To request a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Attorney General not later than 90 days after the date on which funds to carry out this section are appropriated for fiscal year 2022 in such form as the Attorney General may require. Such application shall include the following:
(1) An assurance that, for each fiscal year covered by an application, the applicant shall maintain and report such data, records, and information (programmatic and financial) as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(2) A certification, made in a form acceptable to the Attorney General, that--
(A) the programs funded by the grant meet all the requirements of this section;
(B) all the information contained in the application is correct; and
(C) the applicant will comply with all provisions of this section and all other applicable Federal laws.
(c) Use of Funds.--The eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall use such amounts for the establishment and maintenance of a National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals, which shall--
(1) offer a comprehensive array of technical assistance and training resources to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and other professionals and interested parties, related to cybercrimes against individuals, including programs and research related to victims;
(2) maintain a resource library which shall collect, prepare, analyze, and disseminate information and statistics related to--
(A) the incidence of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) the enforcement, and prosecution of laws relating to cybercrimes against individuals; and
(C) the provision of supportive services and resources for victims of cybercrimes against individuals; and
(3) conduct research related to--
(A) the causes of cybercrimes against individuals;
(B) the effect of cybercrimes against individuals on victims of such crimes; and
(C) model solutions to prevent or deter cybercrimes against individuals or to enforce the laws relating to cybercrimes against individuals.
(d) Duration of Grant.--
(1) In general.--The grant awarded under this section shall be awarded for a period of 5 years.
(2) Renewal.--A grant under this section may be renewed for additional 5-year periods if the Attorney General determines that the funds made available to the recipient were used in a manner described in subsection (c), and if the recipient resubmits an application described in subsection (b) in such form, and at such time as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(e) Subgrants.--The eligible entity awarded a grant under this section may make subgrants to other nonprofit private organizations with relevant subject matter expertise in order to establish and maintain the National Resource Center on Cybercrimes Against Individuals in accordance with subsection
(c).
(f) Report to the Secretary.--On the date that is 1 year after the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant under this section, and annually thereafter for the duration of the grant period, the entity shall submit to the Attorney General a report which contains--
(1) a summary of the activities carried out under the grant program during the previous year;
(2) an evaluation of the results of such activities; and
(3) such other information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(g) Report to Congress.--Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered fiscal year, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report that contains a compilation of the information contained in the report submitted under subsection (d).
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Cybercrimes against individuals.--The term
``cybercrimes against individuals'' has the meaning given such term in section 1501(g).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a nonprofit private organization that focuses on cybercrimes against individuals and that--
(A) provides documentation to the Attorney General demonstrating experience working directly on issues of cybercrimes against individuals; and
(B) includes on the entity's advisory board representatives who have a documented history of working directly on issues of cybercrimes against individuals and who are geographically and culturally diverse.
SEC. 1503. NATIONAL STRATEGY, CLASSIFICATION, AND REPORTING
ON CYBERCRIME.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Computer.--The term ``computer'' includes a computer network and any interactive electronic device.
(2) Cybercrime against individuals.--The term ``cybercrime against individuals'' means a Federal, State, or local criminal offense that involves the use of a computer to cause personal harm to an individual, such as the use of a computer to harass, threaten, stalk, extort, coerce, cause fear, intimidate, without consent distribute intimate images of, or violate the privacy of, an individual, except that--
(A) use of a computer need not be an element of the offense; and
(B) the term does not include the use of a computer to cause harm to a commercial entity, government agency, or non-natural person.
(b) National Strategy.--The Attorney General shall develop a national strategy to--
(1) reduce the incidence of cybercrimes against individuals;
(2) coordinate investigations of cybercrimes against individuals by Federal law enforcement agencies; and
(3) increase the number of Federal prosecutions of cybercrimes against individuals.
(c) Classification of Cybercrimes Against Individuals for Purposes of Crime Reports.--In accordance with the authority of the Attorney General under section 534 of title 28, United States Code, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall--
(1) design and create within the Uniform Crime Reports a category for offenses that constitute cybercrimes against individuals;
(2) to the extent feasible, within the category established under paragraph (1), establish subcategories for each type of cybercrime against individuals that is an offense under Federal or State law;
(3) classify the category established under paragraph (1) as a Part I crime in the Uniform Crime Reports; and
(4) classify each type of cybercrime against individuals that is an offense under Federal or State law as a Group A offense for the purpose of the National Incident-Based Reporting System.
(d) Annual Summary.--The Attorney General shall publish an annual summary of the information reported in the Uniform Crime Reports and the National Incident-Based Reporting System relating to cybercrimes against individuals.
TITLE XVI--KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE FROM FAMILY VIOLENCE
SEC. 1601. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act'' or ``Kayden's Law''.
SEC. 1602. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Approximately one in 15 million children are exposed each year to domestic violence.
(2) Most child abuse is perpetrated in the family and by a parent. Intimate partner violence and child abuse overlap in the same families at rates of 30 to 60 percent. A child's risk of abuse increases after a perpetrator of intimate partner violence separates from their domestic partner, even when the perpetrator had not previously directly abused the child. Children who have witnessed intimate partner violence are approximately four times more likely to experience direct child maltreatment than children who have not witnessed intimate partner violence.
(4) More than 75 percent of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by a family member or a person known to the child. U.S. Department of Justice data shows that family members are almost half (49 percent) of the perpetrators of child sex assault victims under age 6.
(5) Research suggests a child's exposure to a batterer is among the strongest indicators of risk of incest victimization. One study found female children whose fathers were batterers of the mother were six-and-a-half times more likely to experience father-daughter incest than female children who do not have an abusive father.
(6) Child abuse is a major public health issue in the United States. Total lifetime financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment
(including child physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and neglect) results in $124 billion in annual costs to the U.S. economy, or approximately one percent of the gross domestic product.
(7) Empirical research indicates that allegations of child physical and sexual abuse are regularly discounted by courts when raised in child custody cases, with fewer than one-fourth of claims that a father has committed child physical or sexual abuse believed; and where the allegedly abusive parent claimed the mother was ``alienating'' the child, only 1 out of 51 claims of sexual molestation by a father were believed. Independent research indicates that child sexual abuse allegations are credible 50 to 70 percent of the time.
(8) Empirical research shows that alleged or known abusive parents are often granted custody or unprotected parenting time by courts. Approximately one-third of parents alleged to have committed child abuse took primary custody from the protective parent reporting the abuse, placing children at ongoing risk.
(9) Researchers have documented nearly 800 children murdered in the United States since 2008 by a divorcing or separating parent. More than 100 of these child murders are known to have occurred after a court ordered the child into contact with the dangerous parent over the objection of a safe parent or caregiver.
(10) Scientifically unsound theories that treat mothers' abuse allegations as likely false attempts to undermine the father are frequently applied in family court to minimize or deny parents' and children's reports of abuse. Many experts who testify against abuse allegations lack expertise in the relevant type of alleged abuse, relying instead on unsound and unproven theories.
(11) Judges presiding over custody cases with allegations of child abuse, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence are rarely required to receive training on these subjects, nor have most states established standards for such trainings.
SEC. 1603. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this title are to:
(1) increase the priority given to child safety in any private state court proceeding affecting children's care and custody, excluding child protective and social service proceedings;
(2) strengthen courts' abilities to recognize and adjudicate domestic violence and child abuse allegations based on valid, admissible evidence, and to enter orders which protect and minimize the risk of harm to children as the first priority; and
(3) ensure that professional personnel involved in cases containing abuse allegations receive trauma-informed and culturally appropriate training on the dynamics, signs and impact of domestic violence and child abuse, including child sexual abuse.
SEC. 1604. DEFINITION OF COVERED FORMULA GRANT.
The term ``covered formula grant'' means a grant under part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10441 et seq.) (commonly referred to as the ``STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program'').
SEC. 1605. INCREASED FUNDING FOR FORMULA GRANTS AUTHORIZED.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall increase the amount provided to a State under the covered formula grants in accordance with this title if--
(1) Evidence.--
(A) Experts.--The State has in place a law ensuring that, in a custody proceeding where a parent has been alleged to have committed domestic violence or child abuse, including child sexual abuse, evidence from court-appointed or outside professionals regarding the alleged abuse may be admitted only when the professional possesses demonstrated expertise and clinical, not solely forensic, experience in working with victims of domestic violence or child abuse, including child sexual abuse.
(B) Non-experts.--The State has in place a law ensuring that, in a custody proceeding where a parent has been alleged to have committed domestic violence or child abuse, including child sexual abuse, evidence of past sexual or physical abuse committed by a party, including but not limited to any past or current protection from abuse orders, sexual violence abuse protection orders, arrests, or convictions, must be considered in determining the truth of any allegations of family violence.
(2) Experts.--The State has in place uniform required standards of domestic violence and child abuse expertise and experience for all court-appointed neutral professional opinions related to abuse, trauma, and the behaviors of victims and perpetrators, which meet the criteria in paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Remedies for a child's resistance to contact with a parent.--The state has in place a law ensuring that--
(A) No removal of care from safe parent.--No child shall be removed from the care of a competent protective, non-physically or sexually abusive parent or litigating party to whom the child is bonded or attached, nor shall the child's contact with such parent be restricted, solely in order to improve a deficient relationship with the other parent.
(B) Reunification treatment.--No ``reunification treatment'' may be ordered by the court without scientifically valid and generally accepted proof of the safety, effectiveness and therapeutic value of the particular treatment, nor may any treatment predicated on cutting off a child from the parent to whom they are bonded or attached be ordered.
(C) Causes of child resistance.--Any order to remediate a child's contact resistance must address the resisted parent's behaviors or contributions to the child's resistance first, before ordering the preferred parent to take steps to potentially improve the child's relationship with the parent they resist.
(4) Training and education program.--
(A) In general.--The state has in place an ongoing education and training program for judges and magistrates who hear custody matters, and relevant court personnel, including guardians ad litem, best interest attorneys, counsel for children, custody evaluators, masters, and mediators, focusing solely on domestic violence and child abuse, including--
(i) child sexual abuse;
(ii) physical abuse;
(iii) emotional abuse;
(iv) coercive control;
(v) implicit and explicit bias;
(vi) trauma;
(vii) long and short-term impacts of domestic violence and child abuse on children; and
(viii) victim and perpetrator behaviors.
(B) Providers.--Training must be provided by --
(i) professionals with substantial experience in assisting survivors of domestic violence or child abuse, such as a victim service provider; and
(ii) where possible, survivors of domestic violence, or child physical or sexual abuse.
(C) Evidence-based research.--
(i) In general.--The education and training program in subparagraph (A) shall rely on evidence-based and peer-reviewed research by recognized experts in the types of abuse designated under this section.
(ii) Exclusion.--The education and training program shall not include theories, concepts, and belief systems unsupported by valid, credible scientific research.
(D) Objective of education and training program.--The education and training program shall be designed to improve the ability of courts to recognize and respond to child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and trauma on all family victims, particularly children, and make appropriate custody decisions that prioritize child safety and well-being, and shall be culturally sensitive and appropriate for diverse communities.
(E) Training requirements.--Judges and all other personnel identified in subparagraph (A) must receive at least 60 hours of initial training on these identified topics, and at least 20 hours of this ongoing training every two years.
(F) Custody evaluator requirements.--Prior to being appointed in a case, a custody evaluator shall, at a minimum, hold a Master's degree in a relevant field and must have completed the training requirements of subparagraph (E).
(4) Legal representation.--The state shall notify parties of the importance of legal representation and shall direct the parties to appropriate resources.
(b) Grant Increase.--The amount of the increase provided to a State under the covered formula grant under this title shall be equal to not more than 10 percent of the average of the total amount of funding provided to the State under the covered formula grant under the 3 most recent awards to the State.
SEC. 1606. APPLICATION.
A State seeking a grant under this title shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including information regarding the law described in section 1605.
SEC. 1607. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this title shall be interpreted to discourage States from adopting additional provisions to increase safe outcomes for children; additional protective provisions are encouraged.
SEC. 1608. GRANT TERM.
(a) In General.--The term of a covered grant shall be for one year.
(b) Renewal.--A State that receives a covered grant may submit an application for a renewal of such grant at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
(c) Limit.--A State shall not receive a covered grant for more than 4 years.
SEC. 1609. USES OF FUNDS.
A State that receives an increase under the covered formula grants under this title shall use the amount of the increase for subgrants pursuant to section 2007(c)(4)(C) or (D) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10446(c)(4)).
SEC. 1610. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees.
The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach) each will control 30 minutes.
General Leave
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 1620.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.
Madam Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, was signed into law in 1994 to help ensure that women in America are free from violence and free from fear. At the time that VAWA was enacted, it was all too common for violent crimes against women to go without appropriate response and to remain unaddressed by the criminal justice system.
But through programs implemented under VAWA, Congress began to help provide communities in America the assistance they need to combat the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Building on this success, H.R. 1620 is bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes and strengthens the Violence Against Women Act so that it can continue delivering vital services to those in need.
VAWA, which is not gender-exclusive, addresses the needs of men and women, children, persons with disabilities, homeless persons, and LGBTQ individuals, among others.
This reauthorization would also increase access to grant programs for culturally specific organizations and ensure that such organizations are included in the development and implementation of service, education, training, and other grants. The range of individuals VAWA helps is broad and should be as diverse as our communities around the country. I am pleased that this reauthorization continues our commitment to this principle.
VAWA has had, and continues to have, a positive impact on people who rely on its assistance, whether directly or indirectly.
Through grants to State and local governments, the Office on Violence Against Women in the Department of Justice funds the work of thousands of advocates in preventing and addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and in assisting and training law enforcement and victim advocates.
In addition, grants administered through the Department of Health and Human Services provide funds for shelters, rape prevention and education, programs to address and reduce the sexual abuse of runaway and homeless youth, and programs to educate the community on domestic violence. The reach of the work carried out under VAWA is vast, and we must continue to support it.
This legislation expands services for older survivors of abuse and for programs targeting rural areas. It also expands the jurisdiction of some Tribal authorities over non-Indians who commit certain crimes on Tribal lands to ensure that they are held accountable.
Like the legislation the House passed last Congress, it also includes provisions protecting transgender individuals, and it bans individuals convicted of domestic abuse from purchasing firearms.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act is comprehensive and inclusive legislation that I hope will earn further bipartisan support in the long tradition of this vital law.
I want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), the chair of the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee and the sponsor of this legislation, and the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Fitzpatrick) for their outstanding leadership in the effort to reauthorize VAWA.
I also want to thank the advocates, many of whom are survivors themselves, for the countless hours they have put into improving this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself an additional 15 seconds.
Their efforts, and those of many other Members, have produced this important bill that will not only continue the progress enabled by VAWA as originally enacted but will also make the act an even more effective tool in addressing the horrible scourge of domestic violence.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Education and Labor,
Washington, DC, March 10, 2021.Hon. Jerrold Nadler,Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Nadler: I write concerning H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021. This bill was primarily referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and additionally to the Committee on Education and Labor and other committees. As a result of Leadership and the Committee on the Judiciary having consulted with me concerning this bill generally, I agree to forgo formal consideration of the bill so the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
The Committee on Education and Labor takes this action with our mutual understanding that by forgoing formal consideration of H.R. 1620, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and we will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so we may address any remaining issues within our Rule X jurisdiction. I also request that you support my request to name members of the Committee on Education and Labor to any conference committee to consider such provisions.
Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 1620.
Very truly yours,
Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott,Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, March 15, 2021.
Dear Chairman Scott: I am in receipt of your March 10, 2021, letter regarding H.R. 1620, the ``Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021.''
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and Labor. I acknowledge that your Committee will not formally consider H.R. 1620 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H.R. 1620 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction.
I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Jerrold Nadler,
Chairman.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The Violence Against Women Act was first signed into law almost 30 years ago with wide bipartisan support. The law recognizes that Federal laws covering domestic violence could help ease overburdened State and local criminal justice systems. It was narrowly defined and not controversial. Since its passage, it has been reauthorized on a bipartisan basis.
Unfortunately, in recent years, Democrats have politicized the law, straying further and further away from its original intent. This bill, H.R. 1620, is a continuation of the Democrats' politicization, expanding and altering the fundamental nature of the Violence Against Women Act.
The most significant change in this reauthorization effort is that it erases important distinctions between women and men. It replaces violence against ``women'' with ``a person of any gender,'' extending the law's protections well-past the narrowly defined and necessary protection for women.
This rewriting of the Violence Against Women Act not only undermines the original intent of this legislation, but also jeopardizes the safety and well-being of women at risk. It does more to advance the Democrats' progressive agenda than it does to protect women.
It is not just VAWA. The Democrats' entire radical agenda hurts women. Calls to defund, dismantle, and rethink local law enforcement hurt at-risk women. Never-ending government lockdowns that require battered and abused women to stay in violent households hurt women. A southern border open to dangerous drug cartels and human traffickers caused by President Biden's border crisis hurts women. In fact, the Democrats' open border policies incentivize women to make the dangerous trip to the U.S.-Mexico border on which one-third of women report being sexually abused.
Those are not the only problems with this legislation. H.R. 1620 also threatens Americans' constitutional right to religious freedom. The bill denies faith-based exemptions for VAWA grant recipients, prohibiting religious organizations from running shelters and legal aid centers on the basis of their sincerely held religious beliefs. The Democrats' culture war could actually force faith-based centers for abused women to close.
H.R. 1620 also expands the definition of domestic violence to include economic and emotional duress, pulling funding away from combating the severity of violent crimes.
This legislation disregards the well-being of women by promoting lofty concepts, such as restorative justice approaches to crimes against women, which are unproven and could force a woman to confront her abuser.
Democrats know that these are unnecessary additions that jeopardize the bipartisan reauthorization, so why are they choosing to proceed? Why are they putting forward this bill--with no hearings, no markups in this Congress--at the expense of women's safety and well-being?
Any crime or abuse against any single individual is abhorrent. State and Federal laws already protect individuals, women and men, from domestic violence and sexual abuse and any related reprehensible acts like dating violence and stalking. Resources should be targeted to help those women and individuals cope and recover and also prevent further violence and abuse. This bill falls short of that goal and wildly distorts the original purpose of this law.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to oppose this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership.
Madam Speaker, I stand today in a moment of history where we cannot go back. Have we heard that before? Women cannot go back. Women cannot continue in an intimidated fashion to tragically be subjected to men who violently attack them.
The LGBT community cannot go back and be subjected to those who would be violent against them.
Native American women cannot go back. They cannot go back. They cannot go back to pueblos and reservations and not have any protection for those who violate those sacred places, rape them, and then rush to jurisdictions outside and think they are protected.
Immigrant women cannot go back.
That is what this legislation is about. It is a product borne of meticulous and thoughtful research and countless engagement with those on the ground working ultimately and intimately on these very important issues daily.
We began this long journey and hard-fought battle under the leadership of Republicans--I wrote the bill in 2018--who at the time refused to engage in putting forward their own version of VAWA when it expired in 2018 while they held the majority. The President, the Senate, the House, they did nothing. The Judiciary Committee would not even take the bill up, and it was supported by over 200 groups.
But we continue to push forward on behalf of all victims and survivors to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, first led by the President of the United States, then-Senator Joe Biden.
As we all know, VAWA is a landmark piece of legislation first enacted in 1994. At that time, the President was Bill Clinton. This legislation was enacted in response to the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence and the significant impact of such violence on the lives of women.
Statistics have revealed that this form of violence impacts us all. In the United States, an estimated 10 million people experience domestic violence every year. More than 15 million children are exposed to violence annually. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. About one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and a partner stalking injury.
Today, in Texas, 35 percent of women and 34 percent of men are subjected to domestic violence. When discussing VAWA, we cannot forget the victims of domestic violence like Ms. Fontenot, who was murdered in Harris County by her husband just 1 day after Christmas last year while she was trying to escape her relationship, and he shot at her son.
Nor can we forget Debora Seidenfaden, who was murdered by her husband in Houston after an argument.
There are countless stories like this throughout the country. That is why it is imperative that we reauthorize this bill. Enough is enough. We must pass H.R. 1620 now.
Madam Speaker, I thank all the women, including Representative Slaughter, who started this bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1620, the ``Violence Against Women Act of 2021.''
H.R. 1620 is a product born of meticulous and thoughtful research and countless engagement with those on the ground, working intimately on these very important issues daily.
We began this long journey, and hard-fought battle under the leadership of Republicans, who at the time refused to engage or put forward their own version of VAWA when it expired in 2018 while they held the majority.
But we continued to push forward on behalf of all victims and survivors to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994.
As we all know, VAWA is a landmark piece of legislation first enacted in 1994 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
This legislation was enacted in response to the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence, and the significant impact of such violence on the lives of women.
Statistics have revealed that these form of violence impact us all.
In the United States, an estimated 10 million people experience domestic violence every year, and more than 15 million children are exposed to this violence annually. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner. About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, and/ or partner stalking with injury.
Today, in Texas, 35.10 percent of women and 34.5 percent of men are subjected to domestic violence.
When discussing VAWA, we cannot forget the victims of domestic violence like Yashica Fontenot, who was murdered in Harris County, Texas by her husband just one day after Christmas last year while she was trying to escape her relationship.
Nor can we forget Debra Seidenfaden, who was murdered by her husband in Houston after an argument.
There are countless stories like this throughout this country.
That is why it is imperative to reauthorize this law by passing H.R. 1620 now. Because enough is enough.
Congress has reauthorized VAWA three times--in 2000, 2005, and 2013--
with strong bipartisan approval and overwhelming support from Congress, States, and local communities.
During each reauthorization, VAWA would make various meaningful improvements to the Act to meet the varied and changing needs of survivors.
H.R. 1620 continues that tradition, and therefore, is intended to make modifications, as Congress has done in the past to all previous reauthorizations of VAWA.
H.R. 1620 is a bipartisan bill, reflecting a reasonable and compromise approach to reauthorize grant programs under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
These moderate enhancements will address the many growing and unmet needs of victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
H.R. 1620 addresses the needs of sex trafficking victims while creating a demonstration program on trauma-informed training for law enforcement.
It increases access to grant programs for culturally specific organizations and ensure culturally specific organizations are included in the development and implementation of service, education, training, and other grants.
It adds a purpose area to assist communities in developing alternatives to housing ordinances that punish survivors for seeking law enforcement intervention.
H.R. 1620 expands protections for vulnerable populations such as youth, survivors without shelter, Native American women, and LGBTQ persons.
It ensures Deaf people are included in grants relating to people with disabilities.
H.R. 1620 is supported by the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women, a coalition of more than 200 domestic violence groups.
VAWA expired since September 30, 2018, and we as a body are called upon by survivors to reauthorize it now.
As a tribute to our dearly departed Rep. Slaughter, who started this journey with then, Senator Biden in 1994, I respectfully urge my colleagues to join me, and the Chairman of Judiciary, along with our Republican partners--Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. McCaul in passing H.R. 1620, a much needed thoughtful and bipartisan response to the needs of all victims and survivors.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).
Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speaker, Democrats are using domestic violence, which is a serious issue, as a front for just their latest gun control bill. This legislation contains red flag gun confiscation language and expands the grounds for lifetime bans of firearm possession.
Red flag gun confiscation laws upend due process. Under this legislation, an individual could have their guns removed from them without having the chance to face their accuser in court. That means a complaint and a judicial order could suspend a constitutionally guaranteed right, with no chance for the accused to respond under the law.
{time} 1145
This legislation makes it clear that Democrats consider gun ownership a second-class right, if it is a right at all, and view the Constitution as a negotiable suggestion.
This bill would expand the number of nonviolent misdemeanor offenses that produce a lifetime ban on firearm ownership, which is already applied to felons.
It is ironic that in the same week that Democrats are voting in support of amnesty for illegal aliens who have committed up to two misdemeanors, they are voting to permanently suspend the constitutional rights of Americans who have committed one nonviolent misdemeanor.
I oppose this attempt to undermine due process, further restrict the Second Amendment, and expand the left's radical and relentless gun control agenda.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon).
Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, before coming to Congress, I organized volunteer lawyers to represent survivors of domestic abuse, so I have seen firsthand both the need for the Violence Against Women Act and the remarkable impact of legal representation in moments of crisis.
That is why I am proud to support reauthorization of VAWA, which would, among other things, expand access to legal counsel for those who need it most.
Too often, survivors are left to navigate alone the overwhelming aftereffects of violence and abuse. Whether that means finding housing, medical, or other care in the aftermath of trauma, the process can be complicated and hard to manage.
Legal representation in these critical moments can make a life-
changing difference. That is why I am proud to offer two amendments to VAWA today.
The first would expand efforts to provide legal representation in postconviction relief proceedings. The second would increase access to legal aid for veterans who have unmet legal needs.
Everyone deserves access to quality legal representation for fundamental needs, and this bill gets us one step closer to that goal.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support my amendments and the underlying legislation.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Protecting women and girls from violence and abuse and keeping them safe is deeply important to me and Members on both sides of the aisle.
Shortly before I was first elected to Congress back in 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Violence Against Women Act. It was the first iteration of a very good bill, which, if you can believe it, passed the House then by a voice vote. It was supported by all but four in the Senate.
When it was reauthorized in the year 2000, I supported it and voted for it, and in 2006, VAWA again had my full support. In fact, since I have been in Congress, I have voted nearly a dozen times, both in the Judiciary Committee or here on the floor, to renew or strengthen the provisions of VAWA in an effort to do what we all can do to protect women who have been or will in the future be subjects of domestic violence, abuse, or other forms of harassment.
Historically, this legislation has been a truly bipartisan effort. Sadly, the effort put forth today by the majority is anything but bipartisan.
What has happened between then and now? It seems to me that many on the left decided that they could use this critical legislation that is intended to protect women and girls from violence as a vehicle to promote their far-left political agenda. To me, this is a disturbing development, as the safety and well-being of all women and girls in this country is far too important to jeopardize with callous political calculations that could further divide the American people.
In fact, it is possible that passing this so-called VAWA reauthorization offered by the majority could result in some faith-
based institutions shutting their shelter doors so that many women and girls who relied on their help, support, and protection wouldn't have that protection.
This legislation could force women seeking protection in shelters or incarcerated in prison to be housed alongside biological males, potentially subjecting those women to further psychological, mental, or physical harm. To me, it is unconscionable to be aware of these and other shortcomings of this legislation and simply ignore it.
What should we do? We should continue to improve VAWA as we did prior to 2013. We should continue to protect those vulnerable individuals in our society who rely on our help to protect them. And we should accomplish it in a bipartisan, bicameral manner, Republicans and Democrats actually working together as we are capable of doing.
It is time we put politics and political agendas aside and reauthorize a Violence Against Women Act that continues to provide real protection for women and girls.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).
Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, unfortunately, when we talk about violence against women, we are often talking about domestic violence. Domestic violence claims the lives of far too many women, and it is especially deadly when it occurs in a household with a gun.
In the United States, there are 1 million women alive today who have reported being shot or shot at by their intimate partners, and there are many more who have been threatened or killed with a gun.
Closing the boyfriend loophole is a critical step to prevent abusers from obtaining a weapon, a weapon that will likely be used to escalate their abuse and a weapon that may have deadly consequences.
With this bill, we can truly help prevent abuse, protect our families, and keep every American safer.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).
Mrs. LESKO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill.
This version of the Violence Against Women Act does not protect women. Instead, this bill puts partisan political priorities ahead of women in need. While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle like to claim they are the party of women, this partisan reauthorization proves that they only put women first when it is convenient.
I am a survivor of domestic violence from a previous marriage. I was afraid for my life, and I was afraid for my daughter's life. Thankfully, I escaped that terrible situation. So I am intimately familiar with the desperate situations many women who are victims of domestic abuse face. As a domestic violence survivor, I know just how important services and protections are to women across our Nation.
Previous reauthorizations of the Violence Against Women Act have been bipartisan, but not this one. This version is filled with partisan priorities that force women's domestic violence shelters to take in men who identify as women, strip away protections for religious organizations, and eliminate Second Amendment rights without due process.
The most egregious provisions of this bill push leftist gender ideology at the expense of important protections for women's privacy and safety. Sex-segregated shelters provide a safe place for women who have been abused, often at the hands of men, and offer them a sense of privacy and security. If this bill is enacted, these shelters, under penalty of Federal law, would be required to take in men and shelter them with women, putting vulnerable women at risk.
Religious objections are also under attack in this legislation. This bill excludes critical First Amendment protections for faith-based organizations. This almost certainly guarantees that attacks on religious organizations will continue over disagreements on religious liberty and gender ideology.
This bill is also being used to change and erode Second Amendment rights for everyone by introducing a new provision that would lower the standard by which government can take away someone's right to bear arms without due process, including for nonfelony crimes.
Passing legislation that supports women who have been victims of domestic abuse, trafficking, and sexual assault should be a bipartisan issue. In this partisan Violence Against Women Act, women in need are not the priority. Leftist ideology is the priority.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
As the rates of COVID-19 spiked across the country, so did the rates of domestic violence. This pandemic within the pandemic must be stopped, and before us are the tools to save lives and end the cycle of violence.
The VAWA reauthorization makes crucial improvements to the law. It closes legal loopholes to stop violent partners from accessing firearms. It tackles the growing threat of online harassment by training law enforcement on cybercrimes. It provides services for survivors of dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. And it improves protections for Native women.
Today, we stand up for everyone by providing safety everywhere, at home, at work, on campus, and online.
Let us vote together to end domestic violence.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, once again, the vital importance of the Violence Against Women Act.
With the Nation under stay-at-home orders, many women were unable to escape their abusers or find help in their communities.
Thanks to VAWA, organizations like the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence were able to meet women where they are, despite these obstacles.
In 2020, VAWA grants helped the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence assist over 9,000 survivors of domestic violence and answer over 17,000 helpline calls, nearly a 12 percent increase from 2019.
During the pandemic, through VAWA programs, Rhode Islanders have found transitional housing, received counseling services, and obtained assistance with seeking restraining orders.
Violence Against Women Act grants and programs can really be the difference between life or death.
Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Escobar).
Ms. ESCOBAR. Madam Speaker, since being signed into law, the Violence Against Women Act has become a crucial part of legislation to aid victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. VAWA provides lifesaving programs to help survivors navigate domestic violence and abuse situations.
Madam Speaker, in my district, I heard from innumerable counselors, activists, advocates, and attorneys about the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on families, but especially families who have to experience domestic violence. Being locked in a situation with your abuser, with your attacker, was incredibly dangerous, and there has been terrible trauma inflicted.
We need to pass VAWA now. There is no reason not to support people who are victims of domestic violence. This is an enormous step forward.
I am grateful to the leaders who brought this forward, and I rise in support.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Violence Against Women Act.
Twenty persons a minute are injured by an intimate partner; that is 10 million American men and women every year. It is time to do something to continue this act and to extend it.
Madam Speaker, I have a number of amendments that have been accepted. I especially want to point out the SHIELD Act, which combats the nonconsensual sharing of private, sexually explicit and nude images, commonly known as revenge porn, which now will be a crime.
My other two amendments deal with creating a task force on sexual violence and education and directing the Secretary of Education to create climate surveys on student experiences with violence. Twenty percent of our college coeds are sexually assaulted or there are attempts of sexual assault on them each year.
Finally, the last amendment incentivizes States to pass a Survivors' Bill of Rights in the States Act, which is particularly important for rape kits.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).
Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, consider this: Your spouse or partner calls you names, he insults you, puts you down.
He discourages you from going to work or school or seeing family members or friends.
He tries to control how you spend your money, where you go, or who you can see, what medicines you take.
He acts possessive, gets angry when drinking alcohol.
He tries to control when you can see a doctor; threatens you with violence; and may hit, kick, shove, slap, choke, or otherwise hurt you, your children, your pets.
He forces you to have sex against your will. He blames you for his violent behavior and tells you that you deserve it.
And this comes from someone you love.
You are in pain and embarrassed to ask for help. You are one in four women. The Violence Against Women Act is critical for your safety and economic independence.
Madam Speaker, I urge its passage.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).
Mrs. FLETCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. I thank my colleague from Houston, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, for her leadership and her tireless efforts to get this critical legislation to this House floor.
The Violence Against Women Act provides essential support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and its reauthorization now is vitally important, as many of my colleagues have shared. It is critical for organizations in my community that support survivors, like the Houston Area Women's Center, which has reported a dramatic rise in requests for their services through the coronavirus pandemic--more than 6,000 more calls responded to in 2020 alone.
Madam Speaker, in 2020, the number of people the center sheltered tripled. Sadly, we have been reminded again today of the dangers that women face in our society. The Violence Against Women Act provides resources and services that are lifesaving. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this legislation and to vote in support of it today.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Bowman).
Mr. BOWMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise as the son of a single mom and as the brother of four sisters. Unfortunately, I have heard stories of abuse and assault and neglect throughout my life. I also heard these stories from my students and the many families I served throughout my time in education. The consistency throughout these stories illustrate how there is no recourse and there are no safe spaces for women to go to when they are under assault and feeling abused.
Madam Speaker, this past year, before joining Congress, I sat with a student and her mom in my office to call a domestic violence help hotline. And we stayed on hold for hours before anyone came to the phone. There was no housing for them to go to in support of their safety. So I rise to support this legislation, and I rise to denounce the sexism and patriarchy and misogyny that continues to exist within our political arenas and within our laws.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
It is completely unacceptable that we have allowed the Violence Against Women Act to expire.
I am proud to have introduced two amendments that will strengthen protections for our most vulnerable communities. The first amendment will stop punishing children who have been sex-trafficked and have been in contact with the criminal justice system. The pandemic has also illustrated the urgency on what we need to do to make sure that we reauthorize it.
Madam Speaker, as Americans, we have had to follow stay-at-home orders, and it has increased the amount of abuse among those who could not leave home. VAWA save lives. This isn't a Democrat or Republican issue. It is justice and safety. It is time we get this done and reauthorize.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, and still I rise. I rise today in strong support of this legislation because it includes trans women. Some of the most brutal, horrific crimes created in the minds of people have been perpetrated upon trans women.
Madam Speaker, this legislation protects them, as it protects all women. I support it and I encourage my colleagues to do so as well.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat).
Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, it is well past time for VAWA reauthorization. It should have never been allowed to lapse to begin with.
I stand here in support of this bill in honor of Gladys Ricart, a dear constituent of mine, who, 22 years ago, was murdered by her jealous ex-boyfriend on her wedding day, in her wedding gown. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation in her memory.
Now you have the Brides' March, an international movement across this continent and across the world that honors the memory of Gladys Ricart. They were right here in this Capitol, and they will continue to come back until further legislation is enacted to protect women all across our country, all across the world.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Strickland).
Ms. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, the tragic shootings in Atlanta yesterday killed eight people--six of whom were Asian women.
To the families of the victims, you have my deepest condolences.
This crime has elements that we are trying to address here in Congress; gun violence, violence against women, and the meteoric rise of violence we are witnessing against the AAPI community.
Racially motivated violence must be called out for exactly what it is, and we must stop making excuses or rebranding it as economic anxiety or sexual addiction.
Madam Speaker, as a woman who is Black and Korean, I am acutely aware of how it feels to be erased and ignored, and how the default position when violence is committed against people of color or women is to defer from confronting the hate that is often the motivation.
Madam Speaker, words matter and leadership matters. We must all loudly condemn actions and language rooted in fear and bigotry that harms all of us.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, a movement led by the Texas Council on Family Violence, and so many other advocates, first won passage of the Violence Against Women Act and brought the National Domestic Violence Hotline to Austin, which has now offered 5 million lifesaving responses. This act brought much-needed funding and hope to women across America who led coalitions.
Yet, the scourge of violence has continued. In San Antonio, a Collaborative led by Judges Monique Diaz and Peter Sakai has supplemented incredible Family Services led by Marta Peleaz and Patricia Castillo's PEACE initiative. I have joined them for two town halls to listen, learn, and respond.
In Austin, Kelly White and Julia Spann continue the Safe Alliance, as Maria Johnson expands the Hays-Caldwell Center. But too many violent beatings have turned into killings. Because this reauthorization would close ``the boyfriend loophole,'' denying a gun to an abusive partner, the NRA and its Congressional Republican allies have been blocking renewal.
Today, we call on them to choose life, to recommit to VAWA, and foster a society where every person is treated with dignity.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished Speaker of the House (Ms. Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and, again, for his extraordinary leadership.
Madam Speaker, this is quite a day for the chairman, with the Violence Against Women Act and the ERA, among other pieces of legislation that he is bringing to the floor. I thank him for the very prolific and excellent work of the Committee on the Judiciary.
Madam Speaker, here we are dressed in white because it is Women's History Month, and we are wearing the color of suffragists as we come to the floor on these two important pieces of legislation--earlier today, the equal rights amendment, and now the Violence Against Women Act.
It is a historic day as the House passes two landmark, potentially lifesaving pieces of legislation on behalf of America's women. We do so, again, during Women's History Month. I sing the praises of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who has been a relentless, persistent advocate for this legislation over time; Karen Bass, one more, and our distinguished chair of the committee.
Madam Speaker, we are particularly proud to be passing this legislation under the leadership of one of its strongest champions, President Joe Biden. In the Senate, he was the guardian of this law, as he was the author of it. As a new-ish Member of Congress at the time, I was proud to follow his lead and the lead in the House, then, of Leader Schumer, now the distinguished majority leader in the Senate. So this is an opportunity that we have for legislation, whose provenance goes way back into the 1990s.
At that time, I was an appropriator. And after we passed the bill that had the Violence Against Women Act, it was our responsibility to make sure that it was funded properly, and that has been part of the continuing advocacy.
Madam Speaker, in 2013, the legislation was last reauthorized under the Presidency of Barack Obama and the Vice Presidency of Joe Biden, who, again, was taking the lead for the reauthorization of the legislation. It was a tough time. The bill passed first in the United States Senate. Bipartisan in the United States Senate, the bill was passed. They sent it to the House. The House refused to take it up--
Republican-controlled House refused to take it up.
And then they had their own bill, which said: We are against violence against women, unless you happen to be a Native American or an LGBTQ woman or an immigrant woman.
Well, these are the most vulnerable in terms of using violence against women. So what happened was we persuaded the then-Speaker, Mr. Boehner, to bring both bills to the floor. Of course, the Senate-passed bipartisan bill prevailed. We had a big ceremony, participated in by the Native American community, our law enforcement community, Vice President Joe Biden, and signed by the President.
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So here we are, unable to get it reauthorized 5 years later, in 2018 under the then-majority and President, and here we are today, finally able to bring bipartisan legislation to the floor.
And as I mentioned, for nearly three decades, the Violence Against Women Act has been a transformative force for safety and security of American women. Since its passage, domestic violence rates have declined by nearly two-thirds in America. Millions of women have gained access to protections from violence and abuse, and millions of survivors, to essential services and justice.
But we cannot be complacent: One in three women today face domestic abuse. Isn't that a stunning figure? You wonder, how could it be? And partner violence is on the rise during the coronavirus pandemic, as many women are forced to quarantine in homes that are not safe.
Every time the Congress has reauthorized VAWA, we have strengthened its protections for women, based on extensive consultation with survivors, victim service providers, Indian country, law enforcement, and other experts. The authorization on the floor today continues that progress.
And as has been said by Mr. Doggett, we have to recognize the danger of the, shall we say, provisions in the bill that protect women from gun violence specifically.
Among its many life-saving provisions, this reauthorization makes vital new investments in prevention, improves services for victims of domestic violence, makes improvements in the criminal justice system's response to gender-based violence and to the healthcare system's response, prevents intimate partner homicide, and expands protections for victims and survivors, whether they are men or women. This is not just about women, it is the Violence Against Women Act, but it does protect anyone.
Democrats are particularly proud that this reauthorization improves the essential protections that I referenced that were objected to on the Republican bill in 2013, including women immigrants, LGBTQ, and Native American women, and it specifically supports communities of color in a culturally sensitive way.
This reauthorization is bipartisan, happily, and it is supported by more than 200 organizations representing women, women's groups, faith-
based organizations, law enforcement, the public health and medical communities, civil rights groups; the list goes on.
While it is unfortunate that we don't know what will happen in the Senate, we are optimistic that the reauthorization can be successful on the other side of the Capitol, and on the other side of the aisle.
Madam Speaker, I urge a strong bipartisan vote for this reauthorization, so that we can advance justice, safety, and dignity in America.
Madam Speaker, the term VAWA has become synonymous with justice, Violence Against Women Act. I urge an ``aye'' vote.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to support the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
VAWA established critical infrastructure that responds to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
For far too long, this vital update collected dust in the Senate graveyard. Thankfully, with a Democratic Senate majority and President Biden, we finally have real partners to secure justice, safety, and dignity for American women, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
The statistics remain deplorable: One in four American women are victims of domestic violence; one in six will be a sexual assault victim in their lifetime. The pandemic only exacerbated the need for services to comprehensively respond to these egregious crimes.
Now is no time to retreat from the vital work of improving the Federal response to gender-based violence. For Women's History Month, let's reaffirm our commitment to survivors everywhere, and make this world safer for all our mothers, sisters, and daughters.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this urgent legislation.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. Greene).
Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act, this is something that should protect women.
Unfortunately, the Violence Against Women Act has expanded its protection beyond women and girls into transgender or biological males who are calling themselves women.
You see, Democrats know this is a bad policy and agenda. In order to pass it, they have to hide behind real abused women.
The Violence Against Women Act incentivizes fraud in housing by allowing people who have been evicted from government-funded housing because of criminal activity to claim, after the fact, they are domestic violence victims in order to keep their housing.
The Violence Against Women Act also allows prisoners to pick their gender and be treated and assigned by their specific preference. This isn't fair to women who are in prison. Biological men should not be allowed to decide they are a woman and decide to tell people that they are a woman so they can be put in a women's prison.
The Violence Against Women Act provides no exemptions for religious organizations when they hire employees. That destroys religious freedom.
Democrats also refuse to support amendments to help women receive firearm safety training and self-defense courses to protect them against their abusers.
Republicans have introduced amendments having to do with gun rights. If you want to help protect women, make sure women are gun owners and know how to use a gun properly in order to protect themselves. That is the greatest defense for women.
Democrats want to use abused women to take away guns from everyone. Unfortunately, gun rights groups know how to pay attention to Democrat bills that affect Americans' gun rights.
Democrats want to completely dismantle housing contracts and leases in order to justify their hypocritical ``believe all survivors'' agenda, except when it comes to Governor Cuomo.
Democrats want to create a Violence Against Women czar at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Now that they have destroyed the family and housing law, they want to push a progressive gender ideology through housing policy. That doesn't fit.
Make no mistake, Democrats want to create an authoritarian woke state where neighbors, partners, citizens, and employers are afraid to do anything in order to avoid the draconian policies imposed under the guise of protecting women.
We already know of many high-profile men who abuse women. Why don't we look in the mirror and take a hard look at the real abusers? I think Governor Cuomo would be a good one to pay attention to, rather than trying to criminalize every church in America for not following the advice of the transgender coalition of gender dysphoria.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I reiterate my opposition to H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
Democrats filled this legislation with politically charged, highly controversial provisions that dramatically expanded its scope, and erased the bipartisanship that originally passed this bill.
Many of those points were pointed out by the speakers on the Republican side, and unfortunately, it does nothing to address the problem of domestic violence, it threatens religious freedom and undermines the legislation's original intent.
Resources should be targeted to help women affected by the horrors of domestic abuse and help prevent further abuse. This bill does neither.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, every year approximately 7.9 million women are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. An average of three women are killed every day by a current or former intimate partner. These grim statistics underscore the crucial need for us to act without delay to reauthorize VAWA, and to enhance and expand the Act so that it is even more effective.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join with me in voting for this critical bipartisan legislation today, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, today I will vote to approve the Violence Against Women Extension Act (VAWA) of 2021--historic landmark legislation with a proven track record of assisting abused and battered women--authored by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York.
As a matter of fact, I was the prime author of the law that provided for the first reauthorization of the VAWA in 2000--a five-year $3.3 billion comprehensive program that was part of my anti-trafficking law, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (PL 106-386/
TVPA).
Important VAWA programs include: legal assistance for victims; addressing housing needs for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; grants to combat violent crimes on campuses; grants to encourage arrest policies and enforcement of protection orders; grants for enhanced training and services to end abuse later in life; the critical STOP grants to educate and train law enforcement personnel to address sexual assault; the CHOOSE grants, i.e. Creating Hope Through Outreach, Options, Service, and Education for Children and Youth; training and services to end violence against people with disabilities; the sexual assault services program; rural domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse enforcement assistance; and grants for strengthening the healthcare system's response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; as well as extending other key programs.
This is consistent with my long record of support for VAWA.
I strongly supported passage of VAWA when it was first introduced in 1993, and again in 1994, when this crucial legislation was signed into law for the first time. I have supported multiple reauthorizations of VAWA, and I continue to strongly support this law as it was originally intended.
As I said earlier, I was the prime author of the law that provided for the first reauthorization of the VAWA in 2000 when I included the five-year $3.3 billion comprehensive program in my Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (PL 106-386/TVPA).
I also cosponsored the 2005 reauthorization, fought to ensure these programs are fully funded to assist the maximum number of victims, and voted for seven of the first seven VAWA reauthorization bills offered through 2012.
Two versions of VAWA reauthorization are under consideration by the House today. As I noted, the version I will support extends the VAWA until 2022. The other--H.R. 1620--weakens several carefully crafted protections for women and girls.
By granting biological men--who self-identify as women--access to women's shelters, H.R. 1620 removes the hard-fought gains to protect women and girls from abuse and to provide them with physical, emotional and psychological security.
Under H.R. 1620, women will no longer have a safe place of their own as they flee from male-inflicted physical and emotional abuse and intimidation.
Rather, these heroic women will now have to share their place of refuge--a shelter previously reserved for women seeking protection from male abusers--with biological men who self-identify as women.
These brave women and children deserve a place where they can feel protected and secure, so they can begin the difficult process of healing as they deal with post-traumatic stress. Forcing them to share a shelter and its facilities, including showers and sleeping areas, with biological men who self-identify as women will cause these women and children to experience insecurity, discomfort, confusion, and fear of additional assault.
VAWA has always prioritized the challenges and unique needs of battered women and children but this version, if passed, no longer will.
These women's shelters--there are about 1,500 nationwide--offer a safe space where a woman does not have to fear or worry about violence and intimidation and instead allows her to take steps toward rebuilding her life.
We must first and foremost protect victims of violence.
I oppose this provision of H.R. 1620 out of genuine concern for the women and children who are forced to flee to domestic abuse shelters and base my concern on evidence from California.
In late 2018, nine female victims residing in a women's shelter in Fresno, California--Naomi's House, operated by Poverello House--filed a lawsuit against the shelter for admitting a biological man because he had self-identified as a woman. These victims stated that they had been sexually harassed by this biological man. They said that he had made
``sexual advances'' on them and would ``stare and leer'' and make
``sexually harassing comments about their bodies'' while they were forced to undress in the same room with him.
After repeatedly confronting the staff of Naomi's House--both verbally and in writing--with their extreme discomfort, these women were told that they would be expelled from the shelter if they refused to comply.
If we allow biological men who self-identify as women to receive access to these women-only shelters, abused women and children will lose the `safe space' they so desperately need.
These victims deserve better. They deserve our protection and support. We must work to ensure the safety of women, girls, and children.
Other shelters designed to help victims of diverse sexual orientations and identities who are victims of domestic abuse ought to be considered by separate legislation.
We can, and we must create bipartisan legislation which seeks to protect all women and girls, as this law originally intended.
We can, and must, do better.
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
The Violence Against Women Act is a decades-old law that helps protect some of my most vulnerable constituents from abuse. Unfortunately, the law has been expired since 2018.
At a time when the pandemic has forced many women in unsafe domestic situations to stay home, we owe them action. And I came to Congress to get results.
Today, I'll be proud to vote to advance strong and bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and update the Violence Against Women Act.
The bill is going to extend the protections the law has in place while improving violence prevention and victim services. It will ensure communities of color are well served by the law.
And what's more, the bill is forward-looking. It designs studies to assess the challenges survivors face with things like achieving economic security and paying off their student loans. Today, I'm offering an amendment to make sure these studies consider how these matters can have disparate impacts by race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and the bill before us today.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Houlahan). All time for debate has expired.
Each further amendment printed in part B of House Report 117-12 not earlier considered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 233, shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time before the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on the Judiciary or his designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting of further amendments printed in part B of House Report 117-12, not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
Amendments En Bloc Offered by Mr. Nadler of New York
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 233, I offer amendments en bloc.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
Amendments en bloc consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, and 41, printed in part B of House Report 117-12, offered by Mr. Nadler of New York:
amendment no. 1 offered by mr. burgess of Texas
Page 226, insert after line 22 the following:
SEC. 1406A. STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE COORDINATION OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT FORENSIC NURSE EXAM TRAINING AND
PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall issue and disseminate guidance and best practices to improve sexual assault forensic nurse exam training and program sustainability. Such guidance shall include technical assistance and best practices with respect to--
(1) aspects of performing the medical forensic exam, including anogenital photography, other photographic documentation, photographic documentation record management, and quality assurance peer review;
(2) training and certification;
(3) leadership development;
(4) examiner program sustainability and examiner retention;
(5) education of community stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, victim advocates, and prosecutors; and
(6) use of telehealth for both training examiners and conducting the exams, including the Project ECHO model and other models.
amendment no. 2 offered by ms. bush of missouri
Page 78, line 16, strike ``; and'' and insert a semicolon.
Page 78, after line 16, insert the following (and redesignate the following subparagraphs accordingly):
(P) the program under Chapter 11 of subtitle B of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12351 et seq.); and
amendment no. 3 offered by ms. bush of missouri
Page 224, line 5, insert after ``submit to Congress'' the following: ``and make publicly available on the Department of Justice website''.
amendment no. 4 offered by mr. case of hawaii
Page 168, insert after line 5, insert the following:
(16) Native Hawaiians experience a disproportionately high rate of human trafficking with 64 percent of human trafficking victims in the State of Hawai'i identifying as at least part Native Hawaiian.
Page 219, insert the following before line 4, and conform the table of contents accordingly:
SEC. 1204. REVIEW ON NATIVE AMERICAN INTERACTIONS WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Review on Law Enforcement Affecting Native Hawaiians.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall conduct a comprehensive review of law enforcement and other crime prevention programs targeting criminal offenses that affect Native Hawaiians, including child sexual exploitation, child abuse, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, missing or murdered individuals, and substance abuse and submit to Congress a report thereon. The review shall include for each such program the amount of Federal funding for the program that is received by Native Hawaiian-serving organizations as a percentage of the total amount disbursed by the program. The review shall also include recommendations relating to--
(1) social, educational, economic, and any other factor that may contribute to a Native Hawaiian becoming a missing or murdered Native Hawaiian; and
(2) legislation to reduce the likelihood that a Native Hawaiian may become a missing or murdered Native Hawaiian.
(b) Review of Native Hawaiian Victims of Various Crimes.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall conduct a comprehensive review of programs that provide services to victims of criminal offenses affecting Native Hawaiians, including child sexual exploitation, child abuse, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and substance abuse. The report shall include for each such program the amount of Federal funding that is received by Native Hawaiian-serving organizations as a percentage of--
(1) the total amount disbursed by the program; and
(2) the total amount of Federal funds disbursed by the program.
(c) Report on Native Hawaiians in the Criminal Justice System.--
(1) Criminal justice system.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the National Institute of Justice, in coordination with the Bureau of Justice Statistics, shall report on the interaction of Native Hawaiians with the criminal justice system, including the percentage of persons who are Native Hawaiians out of the total of--
(A) all persons arrested;
(B) all persons detained in Federal, State, and local jails;
(C) all persons subject to pretrial supervision;
(D) all persons subject to post-conviction supervision;
(E) all persons incarcerated in Federal and State prisons; and
(F) all persons subject to post-release supervision.
(2) Programs and services.--The report shall also include the programs and services available to and used by Native Hawaiians in various jurisdictions, including diversion programs, in-prison education programs, and reentry services. The report shall also include the number of culturally relevant programs available to Native Hawaiians who interact with the criminal justice system. The report shall also include data on the number of Native Hawaiians who are incarcerated and placed in Federal and private facilities more than 200 miles from their place of residence.
(3) Recommendations.--The report shall also include recommendations relating to--
(A) social, educational, economic, and any other factor that may contribute to a Native Hawaiian becoming involved in the criminal justice system; and
(B) legislation to reduce the likelihood that a Native Hawaiian may become involved in the criminal justice system.
amendment no. 5 offered by mr. connolly of virginia
At the end of the bill, add the following:
SEC. __. SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS' RIGHTS.
Section 3772(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting the following new subparagraph:
``(D) be informed of the status and location of a sexual assault evidence collection kit.''.
amendment no. 6 offered by mr. crist of florida
Page 21, line 20, strike ``and''.
Page 22, line 2, strike the period and all that follows on that line and insert ``; and''.
Page 22, insert after line 2 the following:
``(24) paying any fees charged by any governmental authority for furnishing a victim or the child of a victim with any of the following documents:
``(A) A birth certificate of the person.
``(B) An identification card issued to the person by a State, that shows that the person is a resident of the State.''.
amendment no. 7 offered by mr. rodney davis of illinois
Page 150, line 10, insert after ``economic security'' the following: ``, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on such victims' ability to maintain economic security,''.
amendment no. 8 offered by mr. delgado of new york
Page 128, after line 2, add the following (and redesignate the following paragraphs accordingly):
(7) Studies have found that individuals living in rural areas facing intimate partner violence often face barriers to accessing resources, ranging from health care to the criminal justice system.
amendment no. 9 offered by mr. delgado of new york
Page 151, after line 10, add the following (and redesignate the following paragraphs accordingly):
(3) analysis of the unique barriers faced by survivors living in rural communities;
amendment no. 10 offered by mrs. dingell of michigan
At the end of the bill, add the following:
SEC. ___. GRANTS TO STATE AND TRIBAL COURTS TO IMPLEMENT
PROTECTION ORDER PILOT PROGRAMS.
Part U of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 2103, 2104, and 2105 as sections 2104, 2105, and 2106, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 2102 the following:
``SEC. 2103. GRANTS TO STATE AND TRIBAL COURTS TO IMPLEMENT
PROTECTION ORDER PILOT PROGRAMS.
``(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity' means a State or tribal court that is part of a multidisciplinary partnership that includes, to the extent practicable--
``(1) State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency;
``(2) a State, tribal, or local prosecutor advocate group;
``(3) a victim service provider or State or tribal domestic violence coalition;
``(4) a nonprofit program or government agency with demonstrated experience in providing legal assistance or legal advice to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;
``(5) the bar association of the applicable State or Indian Tribe;
``(6) the State or tribal association of court clerks;
``(7) a State, tribal, or local association of criminal defense attorneys;
``(8) not fewer than 2 individuals with expertise in the design and management of court case management systems and systems of integration;
``(9) not fewer than 2 State or tribal court judges with experience in--
``(A) the field of domestic violence; and
``(B) issuing protective orders; and
``(10) a judge assigned to the criminal docket of the State or tribal court.
``(b) Grants Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--In addition to grants authorized under section 2101, the Attorney General shall make grants to eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (c) of this section.
``(2) Number.--The Attorney General may award not more than 10 grants under paragraph (1).
``(3) Amount.--The amount of a grant awarded under paragraph (1) may be not more than $1,500,000.
``(c) Mandatory Activities.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds, in consultation with the partners required under subsection (a), to--
``(A) develop and implement a program for properly and legally serving protection orders through electronic communication methods to--
``(i) modernize the service process and make the process more effective and efficient;
``(ii) provide for improved safety of victims; and
``(iii) make protection orders enforceable as quickly as possible;
``(B) develop best practices relating to the service of protection orders through electronic communication methods;
``(C) ensure that the program developed under subparagraph
(A) complies with due process requirements and any other procedures required by law or by a court; and
``(D) implement any technology necessary to carry out the program developed under subparagraph (A), such as technology to verify and track the receipt of a protection order by the intended party.
``(2) Timeline.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall--
``(A) implement the program required under paragraph (1)(A) not later than 2 years after receiving the grant; and
``(B) carry out the program for not fewer than 3 years.
``(d) Diversity of Recipients.--The Attorney General shall award grants under this section to eligible entities in a variety of areas and situations, including--
``(1) a State court that serves a population of not fewer than 1,000,000 individuals;
``(2) a State court that--
``(A) serves a State that is among the 7 States with the lowest population density in the United States; and
``(B) has a relatively low rate of successful service with respect to protection orders, as determined by the Attorney General;
``(3) a State court that--
``(A) serves a State that is among the 7 States with the highest population density in the United States; and
``(B) has a relatively low rate of successful service with respect to protection orders, as determined by the Attorney General;
``(4) a court that uses an integrated, statewide case management system;
``(5) a court that uses a standalone case management system;
``(6) a tribal court; and
``(7) a court that serves a culturally specific and underserved population.
``(e) Application.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall submit an application to the Attorney General that includes--
``(A) a description of the process that the eligible entity uses for service of protection orders at the time of submission of the application;
``(B) to the extent practicable, statistics relating to protection orders during the 3 calendar years preceding the date of submission of the application, including rates of--
``(i) successful service; and
``(ii) enforcement;
``(C) an initial list of the entities serving as the partners required under subsection (a); and
``(D) any other information the Attorney General may reasonably require.
``(2) No other application required.--An eligible entity shall not be required to submit an application under section 2102 to receive a grant under this section.
``(f) Technical Assistance.--Notwithstanding section 40002(b)(11) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(11)), as applied under section 2106 of this part, not less than 5 percent and not more than 8 percent of the total amounts appropriated to carry out this section shall be available to the Attorney General for technical assistance relating to the purposes of this section.
``(g) Report to Attorney General.--
``(1) Initial report.--Not later than 2 years after receiving a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Attorney General a report that details the plan of the entity for implementation of the program under subsection (c).
``(2) Subsequent reports.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after implementing the program under subsection (c), and not later than 2 years thereafter, an eligible entity shall submit to the Attorney General a report that describes the program implemented under subsection (c), including with respect to--
``(i) viability;
``(ii) cost;
``(iii) service statistics;
``(iv) challenges;
``(v) analysis of the technology used to fulfill the goals of the program;
``(vi) analysis of any legal or due process issues resulting from the electronic service method described in subsection (c)(1)(A); and
``(vii) best practices for implementing such a program in other similarly situated locations.
``(B) Contents of final report.--An eligible entity shall include in the second report submitted under subparagraph (A) recommendations for--
``(i) future nationwide implementation of the program implemented by the eligible entity; and
``(ii) usage of electronic service, similar to the service used by the eligible entity, for other commonly used court orders, including with respect to viability and cost.
``(h) No Regulations or Guidelines Required.--Notwithstanding section 2105, the Attorney General shall not be required to publish regulations or guidelines implementing this section.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise made available to carry out this part, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal years 2019 through 2024.''.
amendment no. 11 offered by mr. kahele of hawaii
Page 210, line 14, by striking ``and gender identity'' and inserting ``gender identity and status as an American Indian, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian''.
Page 210, after line 14, insert the following (and redesignate the following subparagraphs accordingly):
(C) data on the number of women who are incarcerated and placed in federal and private facilities more than 200 miles from their place of residence;
Page 212, line 13, by striking ``Justice)'' and inserting
``Justice, Indian Tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act), and Native Hawaiian organizations (as defined in Section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965))''.
Page 212, line 26, by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon.
Page 213, line 5, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''.
Page 213, after line 5, by inserting the following:
(D) other support tailored to the needs of Indigenous women, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women.
amendment no. 12 offered by mr. lamb of pennsylvania
Page 39, line 21, strike ``and'' at the end.
Page 39, insert after line 21 the following (and redesignate succeeding provisions accordingly):
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) to develop, expand, implement, and improve the quality of sexual assault forensic medical examination or sexual assault nurse examiner programs.'';
(3) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting after ``by the lack of access to''the following: ``quality forensic sexual assault examinations by trained healthcare providers,''.
amendment no. 13 offered by mrs. lawrence of michigan
Page 28, after line 18, by inserting the following:
``(28) To develop or strengthen polocies and training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and the judiciary in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of domestic violene, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking against individuals who have been arrested or otherwise have contact with the juvenile or adult criminal justice system, and to develop or strengthen diversion programs for such individuals and for such individuals to receive comprehensive victim services.''.
amendment no. 14 offered by mrs. lawrence of michigan
Page 29, strike line 19 and insert the following:
``(G) certify that the laws, policies, and practices of the State in which the eligible grantee resides prohibits the prosecution of a minor under the age of 18 with respect to prostitution; and''; and
amendment no. 15 offered by ms. leger fernandez of new mexico
Page 192, insert after line 24 the following:
(f) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women shall--
(1) in consultation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, report to Congress on actions taken to prevent suicide amongst survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; and
(2) in consultation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, establish best practices to prevent suicide amongst survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
amendment no. 16 offered by ms. leger fernandez of new york
Page 33, line 14, by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon.
Page 33, line 16, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''.
Page 33, after line 16, by adding the following:
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(h) Cultural Relevance.--Any services provided pursuant to a grant funded under this section shall be provided in a culturally relevant manner.''.
Page 158, after line 13, add the following:
(e) Cultural Relevance.--Any outreach or education campaign conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted in a culturally relevant manner.
amendment no. 17 offered by mr. levin of michigan
Page 19, strike line 11 and all that follows through line 15, and insert the following:
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``prosecution policies'' and inserting
``prosecution policies, such as implementing a vertical prosecution system,''; and
(ii) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``including implementation of the non-discrimination requirements in section 40002(b)(13) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994''.
amendment no. 18 offered by ms. meng of new york
Page 198, insert after line 5 the following (and redesignate succeeding subsections accordingly):
``(d) Intake and Assessments.--The Director shall administer family-focused programming at intake, such as questions about children, gauge interest in parenting resources, and concerns about their child or caregiving; and administer ongoing assessment to better inform, identify, and make recommendations about the mother's parental role and familial needs.''.
Page 198, insert after line 21 the following (and redesignate succeeding subsections accordingly):
``(g) Family Needs Training.--The Director shall provide training to correctional officers and employees of the Bureau of Prisons who engage with prisoners' families on--
``(1) how to interact with children in an age-appropriate manner, and the children's caregivers;
``(2) basic childhood and adolescent development information; and
``(3) basic customer service skills.''.
Page 212, line 26, strike ``and'' at the end.
Page 213, line 5, strike the period at the end and insert
``; and''.
Page 213, insert after line 5 the following:
(D) the need to ensure a family-focused reentry, by including incarcerated mothers, their children, and their caregivers to create family reentry planning and programming; and informing reentry information to visiting families.
amendment no. 19 offered by ms. meng of new york
Page 199, line 5, add at the end the following:
``1A``The Director shall make rules--
``(A) on the distribution and accessibility of sanitary products to prisoners, to ensure each prisoner who requires these products receives a quantity the prisoner deems sufficient; and
``(B) providing that no visitor is prohibited from visiting a prisoner due to the visitor's use of sanitary products.''.
amendment no. 20 offered by ms. moore of wisconsin
At the end of title V, add the following:
SEC. __. MATERNAL MORTALITY OR MORBIDITY STUDY.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of the Indian Health Service, and other stakeholders
(including community based organizations), shall conduct a study on the whether victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking throughout the United States are more at risk of maternal mortality or morbidity as a result of issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(b) Reports.--Not later than three years after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of the Indian Health Service, and other stakeholders
(including community based organizations), shall report to Congress on the study conducted under subsection (a). The report shall include:
(1) An analysis of the extent in which domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking result in pregnancy related death.
(2) An analysis of the impact of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking on access to health care.
(3) A breakdown of individuals particularly impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, by race and ethnicity.
(4) An analysis of the impact of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking on Tribal communities and among Native Americans.
(5) An assessment of the factors that increase risks for infant and maternal mortality or morbidity among survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(6) Recommendations for legislative or policy changes to help reduce infant and maternal mortality rates.
(7) Best practices to reduce pregnancy related deaths among survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
(8) Any other information on maternal mortality or morbidity the the Secretary determine appropriate to include in the report.
amendment no. 21 offered by ms. moore of wisconsin
Page 51, insert after line 18 the following:
SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF THE FAST INITIATIVE.
Section 41601(e) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Forensic-Medical and Advocacy Services for Tribes Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall make grants to eligible entities establish, sustain, or expand programs offering sexual assault medical forensic exams and sexual assault victim services in tribal communities.
``(2) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity any of the following:
``(A) A State, local, or Federally recognized tribal government.
``(B) An agency of a State, local, or Federally recognized tribal government.
``(C) A nonprofit organization.
``(D) A tribal organization.
``(E) An entity, the principal purpose of which is to provide healthcare, such as a hospital, clinic, or health department.
``(F) An institution of higher education.
``(3) Funding.--Of the amount made available to carry out this section, $14,000,000 shall be for grants under this subsection.
``(4) Priority.--The Attorney General shall give priority to applicants proposing innovative ways of bringing experienced sexual assault forensic exams to remote tribal communities.
``(5) Applicant requirements.--Applicants shall demonstrate coordination with victim service providers, law enforcement
(including a crime laboratory), and prosecutors.
``(6) Use of funds.--Recipients of a grant under this subsection may use such funds to hire a sexual assault response team.''.
amendment no. 22 offered by ms. newman of illinois
Page 231, insert after line 17 the following:
SEC. 1411. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON WORKPLACE RESPONSES TO
ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
ASSISTANCE FOR MICROBUSINESSES.
Section 41501(b) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12501(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``State and local governments'' the following: ``, and employers with fewer than 20 employees''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, which materials shall include a website with resources for employers with fewer than 20 employees, including live training materials''.
amendment no. 23 offered by ms. omar of minnesota
Page 151, line 5, insert `` credit history,'' after
``health care access,''.
amendment no. 24 offered by ms. omar of minnesota
Page 151, line 24, strike ``and''.
Page 152, line 4, strike the period at the end and insert
``; and''.
Page 152, after line 4, insert the following:
(6) barriers that impede victims' ability to pursue legal action, including legal costs and filing fees, and complexities of the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.
amendment no. 25 offered by mr. phillips of minnesota
Add, at the end of the bill, the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly):
TITLE XVII--PROTECTIONS FOR CERTAIN IMMIGRANT WOMEN
SEC. 1701. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall publish an interim final rule establishing a six year pilot program allowing nonimmigrants authorized for employment under section 106 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1105a), and their children, to apply for lawful temporary status and travel authorization independent of the principal nonimmigrants to which their current status is or was tied. Such interim final rule shall be published and take effect not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
amendment no. 26 offered by ms. plaskett of virgin islands
Page 231, insert after line 17 the following:
SEC. 1411. CIVIL ACTION RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE
IMAGES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Consent.--The term ``consent'' means, with respect to an individual, an affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization made by the individual free from force, fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion of the depicted individual.
(2) Commercial pornographic content.--The term ``commercial pornographic content'' means any material that is subject to the record keeping requirements under section 2257 of title 18, United States Code.
(3) Depicted individual.--The term ``depicted individual'' means an individual whose body is disclosed in whole or in part in an intimate image.
(4) Disclose.--The term ``disclose'' means to transfer, publish, distribute, or make accessible an intimate image.
(5) Identifiable.--The term ``identifiable'' means recognizable by an individual other than the depicted individual from--
(A) the intimate image itself; or
(B) information or text displayed in connection with the intimate image.
(6) Intimate image.--The term ``intimate image''--
(A) means a photograph, film, video recording, or digital recording that shows--
(i) the uncovered genitals, pubic area, anus, or female nipple of an individual;
(ii) the display or transfer of bodily sexual fluids on to any part of the body of an individual;
(iii) an individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or
(iv) an individual being subjected to sexually explicit conduct; and
(B) includes any image described in subparagraph (A) captured or recorded while the depicted individual was in a public place if--
(i) the depicted individual did not voluntarily display the content depicted in the image; or
(ii) the depicted individual did not consent to the sexual conduct depicted in the image.
(7) Sexually explicit conduct.--The term ``sexually explicit conduct'' has the meaning given the term in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 2256(2) of title 18, United States Code.
(b) Civil Action.--
(1) Right of action.--Except as provided in paragraph (4), a depicted individual, or in the case of a depicted individual who is a minor, the parent of the depicted individual, whose intimate image is disclosed, in or through interstate or foreign commerce or using a means of interstate or foreign commerce (including the internet), without the consent of the depicted individual, and such disclosure was made by a person who acted knowingly without, or with reckless disregard for, the consent of the depicted individual to such disclosure, may bring a civil action against that person in an appropriate district court of the United States for appropriate relief.
(2) Consent.--For purposes of an action under paragraph
(1)--
(A) evidence that the depicted individual provided consent to the capture or recording of the intimate image shall not, by itself, constitute evidence that the depicted individual provided consent to the disclosure of the intimate image; and
(B) evidence that the depicted individual disclosed the image to the person alleged to have violated paragraph (1) shall not, by itself, constitute evidence that the depicted individual provided consent to the further disclosure of the intimate image.
(3) Relief.--
(A) In general.--In a civil action filed under this section--
(i) an individual may recover the actual damages sustained by the individual or liquidated damages in the amount of
$150,000, and the cost of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; and
(ii) the court may, in addition to any other relief available at law, order equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or a permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease display or disclosure of the image.
(B) Preservation of anonymity.--In ordering relief under subparagraph (A), the court may grant injunctive relief maintaining the confidentiality of a plaintiff using a pseudonym.
(4) Exceptions.--A depicted individual may not bring an action for relief under this section relating to--
(A) an intimate image that is commercial pornographic content unless--
(i) the content was produced by force, fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion of the depicted individual; and
(ii) the claim of force, fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion under clause (i) is demonstrated through a preponderance of evidence;
(B) a disclosure made in good faith--
(i) to a law enforcement officer or agency;
(ii) as part of a legal proceeding;
(iii) as part of medical education, diagnosis, or treatment; or
(iv) in the reporting or investigation of--
(I) unlawful content; or
(II) unsolicited or unwelcome conduct;
(C) a matter of public concern or public interest; or
(D) a disclosure reasonably intended to assist the depicted individual.
amendment no. 27 offered by ms. pressley of massachusetts
Page 51, insert after line 18 the following:
SEC. 206. LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER SPECIFIC
SERVICES PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Violence Against Women Office, shall make grants to eligible entities to enhance LGBTQ+ specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
(b) Purpose of Program and Grants .--
(1) General program purpose.--.-- The purpose of the program required by this section is to promote the following:
(A) The maintenance and replication of existing successful LGBTQ+ specific domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking community-based programs providing services and resources for LGBTQ+ victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
(B) The development of innovative LGBTQ+ specific strategies and projects to enhance access to services and resources for LGBTQ+ victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who face obstacles to using more traditional services and resources.
(2) Purposes for which grants may be used.--The Director shall make grants to community-based programs for the purpose of enhancing LGBTQ+ specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Grants under the program shall support community-based efforts to address distinctive LGBTQ+ specific responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including--
(A) providing or enhancing services for LGBTQ+ victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including services that address the safety, emotional well-being, economic, housing, legal and workplace needs of LGBTQ+ victims;
(B) supporting programs that specifically address underserved LGBTQ+ communities, including culturally specific communities, to provide specific resources and support for LGBTQ+ underserved victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
(C) working in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies highlighting LGBTQ+ specific issues and resources regarding victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
(D) conducting outreach activities to ensure that LGBTQ+ people who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault receive appropriate assistance;
(E) providing training for victim service organizations, governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement and other first responders, and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving the LGBT community about risk reduction, intervention, prevention and the nature of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault for LGBTQ+ individuals;
(F) developing and implementing LGBTQ+ specific programming that incorporates alternative justice responses that are focused on victim autonomy, agency and safety in order to provide resolution and restitution for the victim; and
(G) providing LGBTQ+ specific programs for LGBTQ+ parents of children exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (H) examining the dynamics of anti-LGBTQ+ bias and its impact on victimization and healing.
(3) Technical assistance and training.--The Director shall provide technical assistance and training to grantees of this and other programs under this Act regarding the development and provision of effective LGBTQ+ specific community-based services by entering into cooperative agreements or contracts with an organization or organizations having a demonstrated expertise in and whose primary purpose is addressing the development and provision of LGBTQ+ specific community-based services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
(c) Eligible Entities.--Eligible entities for grants under this section include--
(1) community-based programs, the primary purpose of which is providing LGBTQ+ specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and
(2) community-based programs, the primary purpose of which is providing LGBTQ+ specific services that can partner with a program having demonstrated expertise in serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and that agrees to receive technical assistance from a program with LGBTQ+ specific expertise.
(d) Reporting.--The Director shall issue a biennial report on the distribution of funding under this section, the progress made in replicating and supporting increased services to LGBTQ+ victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and the types of LGBTQ+ specific programs, strategies, technical assistance, and training developed or enhanced through this program.
(e) Grant Period.--The Director shall award grants for a 2-year period, with a possible extension of another 2 years to implement projects under the grant.
(f) Evaluation.--The Director shall award a contract or cooperative agreement to evaluate programs under this section to an entity with the demonstrated expertise in and primary goal of providing enhanced access to services and resources for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who face obstacles to using more traditional services and resources.
(g) Non-exclusivity.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to exclude LGBTQ+ community-based programs from applying to other grant programs authorized under this Act.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--Two percent the amounts appropriated to carry out a covered grant program for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, shall be made available for grants under this section.
(2) Covered grant program.--In this section, the term
``covered grant program'' means any of the following: --
(A) Section 2101 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10461).
(B) Section 1301 of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000
(34 U.S.C. 12464).
(3) Additional amount.--In addition to the funds described in paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. Funds appropriated under this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
amendment no. 28 offered by ms. ross of north carolina
Page 121, insert after line 21 the following:
``(26) To develop of statewide databases with information on where sexual assault nurse examiners are located.''.
amendment no. 29 offered by ms. ross of north carolina
Page 81, insert after line 25 the following:
(2) in subsection (b), by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--A covered housing provider shall prioritize the safety of victims when making housing and housing-related decisions, including admissions, terminations of assistance, evictions, transfers, referrals, family break-ups, and income determinations.''.
amendment no. 30 offered by ms. scanlon of pennsylvania
Page 30, insert after line 13 the following (and redesignate succeeding paragraphs accordingly):
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) to implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide legal representation for post-conviction relief proceedings, including any proceedings relating to vacatur, expungement, record-sealing, or other post-conviction relief measure.''.
amendment no. 31 offered by ms. scanlon of pennsylvania
Page 8, line 4, strike ``or'' at the end.
Page 8, after line 4, insert the following (and redesignate provisions accordingly):
``(iii) in the case of legal services provided at a facility operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a representative authorized by the Secretary who is providing legal services in connection with medical services, and other unmet legal needs, such as issues related to child custody, elder law, and landlord-tenant disputes; or''.
Amendment No. 32 Offered by Ms.Speier of California
Page 231, insert after line 17 the following:
SEC. 1411. CERTAIN ACTIVITIES RELATING TO INTIMATE VISUAL
DEPICTIONS.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the
``Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2021'' or the ``SHIELD Act of 2021''.
(b) In General.--Chapter 88 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1802. Certain activities relating to intimate visual depictions
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Communications service.--The term `communications service' means--
``(A) a service provided by a person that is a common carrier, as that term is defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153), insofar as the person is acting as a common carrier;
``(B) an electronic communication service, as that term is defined in section 2510;
``(C) an information service, as that term is defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153); and
``(D) an interactive computer service, as that term is defined in section 230(f) of the Communications Act of 1934
(47 U.S.C. 230(f)).
``(2) Information content provider.--The term `information content provider' has the meaning given that term in section 230(f) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)).
``(3) Intimate visual depiction.--The term `intimate visual depiction' means any visual depiction (as that term is defined in section 2256(5))--
``(A) of an individual who is reasonably identifiable from the visual depiction itself or information displayed in connection with the visual depiction;
``(B) in which--
``(i) the individual has obtained 18 years of age and is engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or
``(ii) the naked genitals, anus, pubic area or post-pubescent female nipple of the individual are visible;
``(C) in which the content described in subparagraph (B) is not simulated; and
``(D) in original or modified format.
``(4) Sexually explicit conduct.--The term `sexually explicit conduct' has the meaning given that term in section 2256(2)(A).
``(b) Offense.--Except as provided in subsection (d), it shall be unlawful to knowingly use any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce to distribute an intimate visual depiction of an individual--
``(1) with knowledge of or reckless disregard for--
``(A) the lack of consent of the individual to the distribution; and
``(B) the reasonable expectation of the individual that the depiction would remain private; and
``(2) without an objectively reasonable belief that such distribution touches upon a matter of public concern.
``(c) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2 years, for each individual victim depicted, or both.
``(d) Exceptions.--
``(1) Law enforcement, lawful reporting, and other legal proceedings.--This section--
``(A) does not prohibit any lawful law enforcement, correctional, or intelligence activity;
``(B) shall not apply in the case of an individual acting in good faith to report unlawful activity or in pursuance of a legal or professional or other lawful obligation; and
``(C) shall not apply in the case of a document production or filing associated with a legal proceeding.
``(2) Service providers.--This section shall not apply to any provider of a communications service with regard to content provided by another information content provider unless the provider of the communications service intentionally solicits, or knowingly and predominantly distributes, content that the provider of the communications service actually knows is in violation of this section.
``(e) Threats.--Any person who intentionally threatens to commit an offense under subsection (b) shall be punished as provided in subsection (c).
``(f) Venue and Extraterritoriality.--A prosecution under this section may be brought in a district where the defendant or the depicted individual resides or in a district where the intimate visual depictions are distributed. There is extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section if the defendant or the depicted individual is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections of chapter 88 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1801 the following:
``1802. Certain activities relating to intimate visual depictions.''.
amendment no. 33 offered by Ms. Speier of california
At the end of the bill, add the following:
SEC. __. ONLINE SURVEY TOOL FOR CAMPUS SAFETY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and experts in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking, develop, design, and make available through a secure and accessible online portal, a standardized online survey tool regarding student experiences with domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
(b) Development of Survey Tool.--In developing the survey tool required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Education shall--
(1) use best practices from peer-reviewed research measuring domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking;
(2) consult with the higher education community, experts in survey research related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking, and organizations engaged in the prevention of and response to, and advocacy on behalf of victims of, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking regarding the development and design of such survey tool and the methodology for administration of such survey tool; and
(3) ensure that the survey tool is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
(c) Elements.--
(1) In general.--The survey tool developed pursuant to this paragraph shall be fair and unbiased, scientifically valid and reliable, and meet the highest standards of survey research.
(2) Survey questions.--Survey questions included in the survey tool developed pursuant to this section shall--
(A) be designed to gather information on student experiences with domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking, including the experiences of victims of such incidents;
(B) use trauma-informed language to prevent retraumatization; and
(C) include the following:
(i) Questions that give students the option to report their demographic information.
(ii) Questions designed to determine the incidence and prevalence of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
(iii) Questions regarding whether students know about institutional policies and procedures related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
(iv) Questions designed to determine, if victims reported domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or stalking--
(I) to whom the incident was reported and what response the victim may have received;
(II) whether the victim was informed of, or referred to, national, State, local, or on-campus resources; and
(III) whether the entity to whom the victim reported the incident conducted an investigation and the duration and final resolution of such an investigation.
(v) Questions regarding contextual factors, such as whether force, incapacitation, or coercion was involved.
(vi) Questions to determine whether an accused individual was a student at the institution.
(vii) Questions to determine whether a victim reported an incident to State, local, or campus law enforcement.
(viii) Questions to determine why the victim chose to report or not report an incident to the institution or State, local, or campus law enforcement.
(ix) Questions to determine the impact of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking on the victim's education, including diminished grades, dropped classes, leaves of absence, and negative financial consequences (such as costs associated with loss in paid tuition due to leaves of absence, loss in scholarship awards due to diminished grades, and cost associated with counseling, medical services, or housing changes).
(x) Questions to determine the impact and effectiveness of prevention and awareness programs and complaints processes.
(xi) Questions to determine attitudes toward sexual violence and harassment, including the willingness of individuals to intervene as a bystander of sex-based
(including sexual orientation-based and gender identity-based), race-based, national origin-based, and disability-based discrimination, harassment, assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
(xii) Other questions, as determined by the Secretary of Education.
(3) Additional elements.--In addition to the standardized questions developed by the Secretary of Education under paragraph (2), an institution may request additional information from students that would increase the understanding of the institution of school climate factors unique to their campuses.
(4) Responses.--The responses to the survey questions described in paragraph (2) shall--
(A) be submitted confidentially;
(B) not be included in crime statistics; and
(C) in the case of such responses being included in a report, shall not include personally identifiable information.
(d) Administration of Survey.--
(1) Federal administration.--The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, Director of the Centers for Disease Control, and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall develop a mechanism by which institutions of higher education may, with respect to the survey tool developed pursuant to this section--
(A) administer such survey tool; and
(B) modify such survey tool to include additional elements or requirements, as determined by the institution.
(2) Costs.--The Secretary of Education may not require an institution of higher education to pay to modify the survey tool in accordance with paragraph (1)(B).
(3) Accessibility.--The Secretary of Education shall ensure that the survey tool is administered in such a way as to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.
(4) Institutional administration.--Beginning not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary of Education makes available to institutions the mechanism described in paragraph (1), and every 2 years thereafter, each institution shall administer the survey tool developed pursuant to this section.
(e) Completed Surveys.--The Secretary of Education shall require each institution participating in any program under this title to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that an adequate, random, and representative sample size of students (as determined by the Secretary) enrolled at the institution complete the survey tool developed pursuant to this section.
(f) Report.--Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall prepare a biennial report on the information gained from the standardized elements of the survey under this section and publish such report in an accessible format on the website of the Department and submit such report to Congress. The report shall include campus-level data for each school and attributed by name of each campus in a manner that permits comparisons across schools and campuses.
(g) Publication.--Each institution shall publish, in a manner that is readily accessible and usable by individuals, including individuals with disabilities--
(1) the campus-level results of the standardized elements of the survey under this section on the website of the institution and in the annual security report required under subsection (f) for the campuses affiliated with the institution; and
(2) the campus-level results of the additional elements modifying the survey by the institution, if any, on the website of the institution.
(h) Violation.--Upon a determination pursuant to section 487(c)(3)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(c)(3)(B)) that an institution of higher education has violated or failed to carry out any provision under this section, the Secretary of Education shall impose a civil penalty upon the institution in the same amount and pursuant to the same procedures as a civil penalty is imposed under section 487(c)(3)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(c)(3)(B)).
amendment no. 34 offered by Ms. Speier of California
Page 231, after line 17, insert the following:
SEC. 1411. TASK FORCE ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN EDUCATION.
(a) Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education.--Not later than September 1, 2022, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General shall establish a joint interagency task force to be known as the ``Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education'' that shall--
(1) provide pertinent information to the Secretary of Education, Attorney General, Congress, and the public with respect to campus sexual violence prevention, investigations, and responses, including the creation of consistent, public complaint processes for violations of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f));
(2) provide recommendations to educational institutions for establishing sexual assault prevention and response teams;
(3) develop recommendations for educational institutions on providing survivor resources, including healthcare, sexual assault kits, sexual assault nurse examiners, culturally responsive and inclusive standards of care, trauma-informed services, and access to confidential advocacy and support services;
(4) develop recommendations in conjunction with student groups at greater statistical risk of perpetuating rape culture such as fraternities and athletic departments for best practices for responses and prevention with respect to sexual violence and dating violence for educational institutions, taking into consideration an institution's size and resources;
(5) develop recommendations for educational institutions on sex education, as appropriate, training for school staff, and various equitable discipline models;
(6) develop recommendations on culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to supporting survivors, which include consideration of race, ethnicity, national origin, immigrant status, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, disability, socio-economic status, exposure to trauma, and other compounding factors;
(7) solicit periodic input from a diverse group of survivors, trauma specialists, advocates from national, State, and local anti-sexual violence advocacy organizations, institutions of higher education, and other public stakeholders;
(8) assess the Department of Education's ability under section 902 of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1682) to levy intermediate fines for noncompliance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and the advisability of additional remedies for such noncompliance, in addition to the remedies already available under Federal law; and
(9) create a plan described in subsection (c).
(b) Personnel Details.--
(1) Authority to detail.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the head of a component of any Federal agency that is funded under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13925 et seq.) may detail an officer or employee of such component to the Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education or to the Secretary of Education to assist the Task Force with the duties described in subsection
(a), as jointly agreed to by the head of such component and the Task Force.
(2) Basis for detail.--A personnel detail made under paragraph (1) may be made--
(A) for a period of not more than 3 years; and
(B) on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis.
(c) Additional Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education is established under subsection (a), the Task Force shall submit to Congress recommendations for recruiting, retaining, and training a highly-qualified workforce employed by the Department of Education to carry out investigation of complaints alleging a violation of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) or section 485(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)), and enforcement of such title IX (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) or such section 485(f) (20 U.S.C. 1092(f)), with respect to sexual violence in education. Such plan shall include--
(1) an assessment to identify current gaps or challenges carrying out such investigation and enforcement, which may include surveying current investigative workforce to solicit feedback on areas in need of improvement;
(2) an examination of issues of recruiting, retention, and the professional development of such workforce, including the possibility of providing retention bonuses or other forms of compensation for the purpose of ensuring the Department of Education has the capacity, in both personnel and skills, needed to properly perform its mission and provide adequate oversight of educational institutions;
(3) an assessment of the benefits of outreach and training with both law enforcement agencies and educational institutions with respect to such workforce;
(4) an examination of best practices for making educational institutions aware of the most effective campus sexual violence prevention, investigation, and response practices and identifying areas where more research should be conducted; and
(5) strategies for addressing such other matters as the Secretary of Education considers necessary to sexual violence prevention, investigation, and responses.
(d) Annual Report.--The Task Force on Sexual Violence in Education shall report to Congress on an annual basis, and make publicly available, a report of its activities and any update of the plan required under subsection (c), including the number of complaints received regarding sexual violence
(including violence on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity), the number of open investigations, the number of complaints that continued to resolution, the number of complaints resolved using informal resolution, the average time to complete an investigation, the number of investigations initiated based on complaints, and the number of investigations initiated by the Department of Education.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``educational institution'' includes an institution of higher education, an elementary school, or a secondary school.
(2) The terms ``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given the terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
amendment no. 35 offered by ms. speier of california
Page 231, insert after line 17 the following (and conform the table of contents accordingly):
SEC. 1411. SURVIVORS' BILL OF RIGHTS.
(a) In General.--The Attorney General shall make grants to States that have in place a law that provides to sexual assault survivors the rights, at a minimum, under section 3772 of title 18, United States Code.
(b) Grant Amount.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, a grant to a State under this section shall be equal to 10 percent of the average of the amount of funding of the 3 most recent awards that the State received under part T of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10441 et seq.) (commonly referred to as the ``STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program'').
(c) Application.--A State seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including information about the law described in subsection (a).
amendment no. 37 offered by mrs. torres of california
Add at the end of the bill the following:
SEC. 1611. STUDY ON CHILD CUSTODY IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.
The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct a study investigating whether victims who raise evidence of domestic violence are more likely to lose primary custody of children to an abusive partner or to the State, including--
(1) a review of State laws, regulations, and practices on how child neglect and custody situations are handled in domestic violence situations; and
(2) a list of recommendations on how to restructure State laws, regulations, and practices to better protect victims of domestic violence and their children.
amendment no. 38 offered by mrs. torres of california
Page 158, insert after line 21 the following:
SEC. 708. STUDY ON COSTS OF DIVORCE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CASES.
The Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall--
(1) conduct a study on the direct and collateral economic costs and risks of divorce from an abusive partner to a victim of domestic violence, including the payment of alimony, legal fees, spousal support, or the division of property, disaggregated on the basis of whether the individual has higher earnings than their partner; and
(2) include recommendations based on the study conducted under paragraph (1).
amendment no. 39 offered by mr. torres of new york
Page 231, insert after line 17 the following:
SEC. 1411. REPORT ON SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAMS AT
HOSPITALS.
In order to be eligible for funds made available by the Department of Justice under this Act or an amendment made by this Act, a State or unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General a report, on an annual basis, which contains the following:
(1) The number of hospitals in the jurisdiction that have sexual assault response teams (or their equivalent).
(2) The average response time of each such team in responding to the needs, including the emotional needs, of rape and sexual assault victims in the emergency room.
amendment no. 41 offered by ms. williams of georgia
Page 18, insert after line 23 the following:
SEC. 6. INCLUSION OF DISPARATE IMPACT IN STUDIES.
Any study conducted under this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall include an assessment, to the extent practicable, of any disparate impacts of the matter studied, by race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentlewoman from Minnesota
(Mrs. Fischbach) each will control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crist).
Mr. CRIST. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment, based on the bipartisan Documents for Continued Safety Act that I introduced with Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico.
This amendment would allow STOP grants from the Department of Justice to be used to replace vital documents for survivors of domestic violence, free of cost. Some survivors grab all they can when they flee, leaving vital documents behind. Other didn't have access to their vital docs.
Rebuilding can be tough, but our amendment will help survivors turn the page and write a new chapter, on their terms, safe and free.
{time} 1230
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I do have one of the en bloc amendments at the desk.
Madam Speaker, this amendment requires the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on the issues identified by a Government Accountability Office report and the use of telehealth.
In 2018, the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held an eye-opening hearing on sexual assault forensic examinations that highlighted gaps in training and care related to sexual assault forensic examinations. The Government Accountability Office testified at this hearing on its 2016 report on sexual assault forensic exams, which identified gaps in aspects of performing exams, training, leadership development, examiner program sustainability, and education of community stakeholders.
This amendment is simple, and it is common sense. The Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance on addressing the gaps identified by GAO.
In Texas, there have been efforts to utilize telehealth, including the Project ECHO model, to provide sexual assault forensic examinations and training. The nurses involved in these programs have established their success. I am sure States have employed other useful telehealth models that should be further explored as well.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate that this amendment is endorsed by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, signaling its importance, and I urge support for this amendment.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips).
Mr. PHILLIPS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment and the underlying bill.
No one--and I mean no one--should be forced to stay in an abusive relationship because they fear deportation. Under current law, if a woman travels to the United States of America with someone on a temporary visa and that relationship turns abusive, they are trapped.
My amendment to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act would create a pilot program for victims of domestic abuse to apply for independent immigration status. It is that simple, and it is that important.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez).
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, in New Mexico, one in three women have experienced domestic violence. We must act swiftly to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. The protections in this bill are a matter of life and death.
My State has one of the highest suicide rates. My amendment will help prevent suicide among survivors of sexual assault.
It also recognizes that our diverse communities must receive culturally relevant legal aid and outreach programs.
Let's work to end gender-based violence in all of our communities.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, this has been a long journey, and I think it is important to take note of the many women who have helped us and to do this in the name of so many women who have lost their lives.
I take this moment on the floor to support the en bloc amendment but, as well, to encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle of how somber and serious a moment this is that we do not take lightly to the floor because so many of us in our own congressional districts have seen the scourge of domestic violence.
We have seen the rise in domestic violence in a meteoric manner under COVID-19. It is rabid and rampant in all our cities. Our law enforcement officers have told us it is the most dangerous call that they can possibly make.
I am particularly concerned about sex trafficking victims, and I am very glad the manager's amendment has language in there that indicates that sex trafficking victims experience sexual violence and assault, and that the Federal recognition of their recovery is important.
We look at all aspects of this important issue in our country. The en bloc amendment represents Members' concerns for improving the treatment of women and men, the LGBTQ community, Native Americans, and immigrant women who are culturally diverse.
Madam Speaker, to the 200-plus organizations of the coalition, I want to say thank you to you for advocating with us. Writing this bill in 2018 and never giving up has been the challenge that I have taken up.
I am very grateful to the many women who have joined me. Even though it was not passed when there was a Republican President, Republican Senate, and Republican House, and then it was blocked by the Republican Senate, we have now come with a fully robust and comprehensive bill that responds to the concerns of those who cannot help themselves.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from Texas an additional 1 minute.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Housing and other aspects of the provisions that are in this bill pointedly speak to needs that have been brought to our attention by victims. This bill deals with victims, Madam Speaker, so when you are fleeing your home because your name is not on the lease or the mortgage, we now have provided an expedited process for you to get housing with your children.
We intervene and have cultural sensitivity training for men and boys. We have a cultural sensitivity office inside the office of domestic violence so that women of different cultural backgrounds can be responded to, along with focusing on culturally sensitive advocacy groups to help those women.
Yes, we do prevent a convicted person who has perpetrated a stalking or sexual assault from getting a gun, but this bill is controlled by due process in the Constitution.
Let's pass this bill. Women are waiting. They can't wait any longer. Men are waiting. Many communities are waiting. We can't wait any longer, and we must pass this bill to be signed by the President of the United States.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, may I ask how much time remains.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 5\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from Minnesota has 8\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. Greene).
Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the 39 amendments packed into one little grouping called en bloc.
The reason why I am opposed is that while some of these amendments are noble and worthwhile proposals on their own, they do not outweigh the underlying problems of the legislation or some of the truly bad amendments in this bloc.
These amendments include provisions that would further inject identity politics into the Violence Against Women Act, which we have heard over and over in this debate. There are studies about disparate impacts and measures that unnecessarily differentiate how we treat different groups of people.
This entire bloc of 39 amendments includes amendments that further encroach on the affairs of State and local governments by creating new grants and pilot programs and spending more of the American taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.
One amendment in this bloc is designed to incentivize States to legalize prostitution engaged in by minors to help sex trafficking victims. How does this make any sense? It doesn't.
Of course, we all want to stop sex trafficking, but this proposal has not been thought through and could have disastrous unintended consequences. I am going to say disastrous consequences.
We need to return the Violence Against Women Act to its original intent that Congress passed in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner almost 30 years ago.
H.R. 1620 will expand and alter the fundamental nature of the Violence Against Women Act by imposing the trans agenda of putting biological men in women's shelters and prisons. It does more to advance the Democrats' progressive agenda than it does to protect women who need protection.
Also concerning is the fact that this legislation did not undergo committee consideration. One would ask: Why not?
There has been no committee hearing for this bill or these en bloc amendments. Why not?
There has been no committee markup for this in Congress. Why not?
Rather than rushing to pass this bill, we should have taken the time to truly examine the issues and determine what, if any, additional resources, reviews, or studies are necessary.
We all stand in opposition to any violence against women. Unfortunately, the government lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increased amount of domestic violence, increased depression, increased suicide, and increased suffering. We have an urgent need to address violence against women--and we should at all times--but not like this, by changing this so radically and including biological men.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose these amendments and the underlying bill, H.R. 1620.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).
Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for his tireless work and the work of so many women of this Caucus, including Speaker Pelosi, to bring this bill to fruition and to bring this bill to the floor.
We know, and we all believe, that violence against women and the support necessary to impede that from happening is necessary and should be reauthorized.
I rise today in strong support of the en bloc amendment. The Nadler amendment en bloc is the culmination of a yearslong effort to authorize explicit Federal legal action against the nonconsensual disclosure and public transmission of intimate visual imagery, following the lead of dozens of the States.
Nobody, under any circumstances, should have private intimate imagery shared on the internet without their consent. The pain that is caused by perpetrators who knowingly share sexually explicit or nude images of someone without their consent has ruined lives and, in many instances, the lives of their family as well. It is weaponized to humiliate, harass, intimidate, and even exploit people who are primarily women.
I am proud to support this amendment that will give prosecutors and victims important tools to bring perpetrators to justice and further deter offenders from committing such a terrible and egregious violation of privacy. Please approve this amendment and let us pass this bill.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I urge opposition to this en bloc amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, the en bloc amendment includes a number of very important amendments that make significant improvements to the bill. I appreciate all the Members who contributed to this en bloc amendment from both sides of the aisle, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, my amendment would strengthen the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights by providing survivors the right to be informed of the status and location of their sexual assault evidence collection kit.
The Survivors' Bill of Rights was enacted in 2016 and provides fundamental protections to survivors, including: the right to receive a free medical forensic examination; the right to have a sexual assault kit preserved and to be informed of any results related to the examination including a DNA profile match or toxicology reports; the right to be informed of any disposal of a kit; and the right to prevent such disposal if desired.
These are important protections that can be funded through Federal grants made available through the Victims of Crime Act.
This amendment would add one additional and critical protection to that bill of rights.
It would entitle survivors to know the status and location of their kits, providing greater transparency to how kits are handled and tracked by hospitals, forensic professionals, and law enforcement.
My home state of Virginia launched just such a tracking program in 2019.
In Virginia, each kit has a unique bar code and each survivor is provided with a PIN that allows them to track the status of their kit online.
Privacy concerns are allayed by the fact that no personally identifying information is included in the tracking system, and it is entirely up to the survivor whether or not they want to report their assault to law enforcement.
This is a transformative transparency regime for a process that has far too long been kept in the shadows, which has given rise to backlogs and anxiety among survivors about the status of their kits and whether they are being used to hold their attackers accountable.
The amendment is about empowering survivors, and I urge its adoption.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).
The question is on the amendments en bloc.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.
{time} 1245
Amendment No. 36 Offered by Ms. Stefanik
The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 36 printed in part B of House Report 117-12.
Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Strike all that follows after the enacting clause, and insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Violence Against Women Extension Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. STOP GRANTS.
Section 1001(a)(18) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10261(a)(18)), is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 3. GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE ARREST POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT
OF PROTECTION ORDERS.
Section 1001(a)(19) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10261(a)(19)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 4. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS.
Section 1201(f)(1) of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20121(f)(1)) is amended by inserting after
``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following:
``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 5. GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Section 1301(e) of the Violence Against Women Act of 2000
(34 U.S.C. 12464(e)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 6. SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT.
Section 40152(c) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(34 U.S.C. 12311(c)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 7. COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM.
Section 219(a) the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13014(a)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 8. RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL
ASSAULT, STALKING, AND CHILD ABUSE ENFORCEMENT
ASSISTANCE.
Section 40295(e)(1) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12341(e)(1)) is amended by inserting after
``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following:
``, and for fiscal year 2022,''.
SEC. 9. GRANTS FOR ENHANCED TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END
ABUSE LATER IN LIFE.
Section 40801(b)(5) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12421(b)(5)) is amended by inserting after
``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following:
``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 10. GRANTS TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIMES ON CAMPUSES.
Section 304(e) of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34 U.S.C. 20125(e)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 11. STUDY CONDUCTED THROUGH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE
CONTROL AND PREVENTION.
Section 402(c) of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 280b-4(c)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 12. SAVING MONEY AND REDUCING TRAGEDIES THROUGH
PREVENTION.
Section 41303(f) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(34 U.S.C. 12463(f)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 13. ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND
STALKING.
(a) Collaborative Grants To Increase the Long-Term Stability of Victims.--Section 41404(i) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12474(i)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022,''.
(b) Grants To Combat Violence Against Women in Public and Assisted Housing.--Section 41405(g) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12475(g)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022,''.
SEC. 14. NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON WORKPLACE RESPONSES TO
ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
Section 41501(e) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(34 U.S.C. 12501(e)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 15. GRANTS FOR TRIBAL JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Section 204 of Public Law 90-284 (25 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.)
(commonly known as the ``Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968'') is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022,''.
SEC. 16. ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH ON VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIAN
WOMEN.
Section 905(b)(2) of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 17. STALKER DATABASE.
Section 40603 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12402) is amended by inserting after ``for fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 18. FEDERAL VICTIM ASSISTANCE REAUTHORIZATION.
Section 40114 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
(Public Law 103-322; 108 Stat. 1910) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 19. GRANTS FOR STRENGTHENING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM'S
RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE,
SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING.
Section 399P(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-4(g)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 20. TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE
WITH INDIVIDUALS.
Section 1402(e) of division B of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (34 U.S.C. 20122(e)) is amended by inserting after
``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following:
``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 21. SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROGRAM.
Section 41601(f)(1) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12511(f)(1)) is amended by inserting after ``for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' the following: ``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
SEC. 22. RAPE SURVIVOR CHILD CUSTODY.
Section 409 of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (34 U.S.C. 21308) is amended by inserting after ``for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2019'' the following:
``, and for fiscal year 2022''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, more than one in three women in this country have experienced some form of physical violence by their partner; and each year, millions of our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Tragically, new evidence shows that lockdowns, social isolation, and economic insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a hidden surge in domestic violence and abuse. So now, more than ever, we must come together to combat this crisis.
In fact, Congress has a history of doing so on a bipartisan basis. The enactment of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 and the reauthorizations that followed were noncontroversial and overwhelmingly bipartisan. Congress worked together to establish a coordinated community response to support victims and equip the justice system with the necessary resources to address these heinous crimes.
Yet, in 2019, House Democrats allowed VAWA's authorization to lapse when they shunned the bipartisan history of VAWA and advanced a bill filled with controversial provisions, rejecting Republican offers to work in good faith and prioritize the well-being of women and children.
At the time, I led the Violence Against Women's Extension Act of 2019 to extend the law and provide certainty to victims, survivors, families, and crisis centers, but House Democrats put scoring political points ahead of the interests of vulnerable women and refused our efforts to prevent VAWA's programs from going unauthorized.
This year, here we are again. Democrats are rushing their controversial bill back to the floor, bypassing committee consideration, and ignoring opportunities to work with Republicans to address the problematic provisions. They have denied new Members the opportunity to contribute to the bill, including a record number of new Republican women, Representatives whose own lives and districts have been deeply affected by these issues.
So, once again, this House, rather than pursuing bipartisanship, is again considering a bill that promotes unproven methods of supporting victims, infringes upon Second Amendment rights without adequate due process, and imposes new barriers to prosecuting domestic violence cases.
My amendment is simple. It provides a clean extension of the Violence Again Women Act programs for the upcoming fiscal year without the controversial provisions added by Speaker Pelosi. Most importantly, it will ensure funding for critical programs that fight domestic violence and sexual abuse for the American people. A clean extension provides us the opportunity to work together to pass a truly bipartisan, long-term reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.
The gentlewoman is right, her amendment is simple. It does nothing. It provides no increased funding. It does not provide for women who are desperate--and men and our indigenous community--at all.
Among other things, this amendment would merely extend for 1 year, which is disastrous, rather than reauthorize for 5 years, essentially gutting the bill's most critical grant programs. Some of the programs left out of this so-called extension are as follows:
Outreach in services to underserved populations;
The rape prevention and education grant, $110 million, a 50 percent increase from the existing bill;
Transitional housing assistance grants for VAWA victims. Women fleeing, men fleeing, victims fleeing, children fleeing without having housing, we expedite that;
Authorizing funding for the Tribal Access Program and;
Child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners.
By leaving these programs out, this amendment fails to recognize the range of needs that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking violence face. It simply fails the most desperate and needy people.
This amendment also omits all of the improvements to VAWA that are contained in the underlying bill, H.R. 1620, which is a product of years of consultation with a range of stakeholders, and the failed efforts of Republicans year after year not to reauthorize. This is built on hard work, many of whom worked directly in the field with survivors and have a deep knowledge of VAWA's programs.
Relying in part on their expertise, this legislation contains dozens of important improvements to the range of programs contained in VAWA to make it an even more effective tool in addressing domestic violence.
But this amendment dismisses the needs of the victims and survivors whose voices were our guide in developing H.R. 1620. It is shameful.
For example, the underlying legislation enhances and expands victims' services. It improves the criminal justice response to gender-based violence, and it expands legal assistance. It makes additional investments in prevention. It improves access to housing for victims and survivors.
It ends impunity for non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, which has gone on for years. Go to the reservation of Pueblo, assault a Native American woman, and have no accountability.
It supports communities of color and LGBTQ individuals. It protects victims of dating violence and firearm homicide. It improves the healthcare system's response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
But the Stefanik amendment would eliminate all of these vital programs. In essence, it would leave women and victims helpless and without hope.
Do not be fooled. This amendment does not demonstrate support for VAWA. It demonstrates a lack of commitment to ensuring that the programs contained within VAWA can best serve and protect the survivors and victims who rely on them.
Since VAWA's enactment in 1994, Congress has repeatedly enhanced the prior versions of the law, including in reauthorizations in 2000, 2005, and 2013. Since the last reauthorization, there has been an uptick in demand for the essential services under VAWA due to the Me Too movement and women coming forward out of the shadows.
There has also been an uptick in victims' and survivors' and children's needs for services due to the financial strain imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why H.R. 1620 both reauthorizes and improves the law. This amendment would effectively do neither.
Victims and survivors deserve better than this half measure, and they would look to the women of this Congress to be sensitive to their plight.
Domestic violence providers and survivors all have spoken loud and clear with hundreds of organizations supporting and endorsing H.R. 1620. They have asked for the underlying bill, not a bait-and-switch that is fatally flawed and makes no meaningful improvements to the bill or to the law.
Finally, this amendment will not help the legislation move in the Senate. We have spoken with the leaders in the Senate on both sides of the aisle on this issue and they agree that we must improve the Violence Against Women Act. It is greatly needed in order to stop the scourge of domestic violence, which is surging in our Nation, and not freeze it, as the Stefanik amendment would do.
Therefore, I urge opposition to this amendment, which would undermine H.R. 1620 and years of work, years of building on this with so many collaborators. I thank our chairman, the many women who helped me with writing this legislation, and those who offered substantial amendments to improve it, even those in the last Congress.
We don't want to freeze that behavior that will be positive. This amendment would seriously damage the Violence Against Women Act.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.
Madam Speaker, among other things, this amendment would merely extend for one year, rather than reauthorize for five years, some of the programs under the Violence Against Women Act, essentially gutting the bill's most critical grant programs. Some of the programs left out of this so-called extension are:
Outreach and services to underserved populations;
The rape prevention and education grant;
Transitional housing assistance grants for VAWA victims; Authorizing funding for the Tribal Access Program; and
Child abuse training programs for judicial personnel and practitioners.
By leaving these programs out, this amendment fails to recognize the range of needs that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking face.
This amendment also omits all of the improvements to VAWA that are contained in the underlying bill. H.R. 1620 is the product of years of consultation with a range of stakeholders, many of whom work directly in the field with survivors and have a deep knowledge of VAWA's programs.
Relying in part on their expertise, this legislation contains dozens of important improvements to the range of programs contained in VAWA to make it an even more effective tool in addressing domestic violence. But this amendment dismisses the needs of the victims and survivors whose voices were our guide in developing H.R. 1620.
For example, the underlying legislation enhances and expands victims' services; it improves the criminal justice response to gender-based violence and expands legal assistance; it makes additional investments in prevention; it improves access to housing for victims and survivors; and it ends impunity for non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault.
It supports communities of color and LGBTQ individuals; it protects victims of dating violence from firearm homicide; and it improves the healthcare system's response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
But the Stefanik Amendment would eliminate all of these vital provisions. Do not be fooled--this amendment does not demonstrate support for VAWA, it demonstrates a lack of commitment to ensuring that the programs contained within VAWA can best serve and protect the survivors and victims who rely on them.
Since VAWA's enactment in 1994, Congress has repeatedly enhanced the prior versions of the law, including in reauthorizations in 2000, 2005, and 2013. Since the last reauthorization, there has been an uptick in demand for the essential services under VAWA due to the ``MeToo'' movement and women coming forward out of the shadows. There has also been an uptick in victims' and survivors' needs for services due to the financial strain imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
That is why H.R. 1620 both reauthorizes and improves the law. This amendment would effectively do neither. Victims and survivors deserve better than what this half-measure provides.
Domestic violence providers and survivors all have spoken loud and clear with hundreds of organizations endorsing H.R. 1620. They have asked for the underlying bill, not a bait and switch that is fatally flawed and makes no meaningful improvements to the bill or to the law.
Finally, this amendment will not help the legislation move in the Senate. We have spoken with leaders in the Senate on this issue on both sides of the aisle, and they agree that we must improve the Violence Against Women Act, not freeze it as the Stefanik amendment would do.
Therefore, I urge opposition to this amendment, which would undermine H.R. 1620 and would seriously damage the Violence Against Women Act.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, make no mistake, VAWA's authorization lapse last year is due to House Democrats' choice to ram through their partisan version of this bill rather than work on a bipartisan basis.
When my colleague across the aisle talks about conversations with the Senate, we know last year that there were no effective bipartisan conversations with the Senate, which is why they didn't take up the Democrats' partisan version.
My amendment is a clean extension of VAWA. It ensures that there is certainty and funding for these programs. I urge my colleagues to vote
``yes'' for this amendment.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the previous question is ordered on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik).
The question is on the amendment.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appear to have it.
Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.
Amendment No. 40 Offered by Mrs. Wagner
The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 40 printed in part B of House Report 117-12.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my amendment No. 40 to H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 17, line 18, strike ``and''.
Page 17, strike line 19 through line 2 of page 18 and insert the following:
(ii) in paragraph (C)(i) by striking ``$20,000 in Department funds, unless the Deputy Attorney General'' and inserting ``$100,000 in Department funds, unless the Director or Principal Deputy Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, the Deputy Attorney General,''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) Ineligibility.--If the Attorney General finds that a recipient of grant funds under this Act has fraudulently misused such grant funds, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing, such recipient shall not be eligible to receive grant funds under this Act for up to 5 years. A misuse of grant funds or an error that does not rise to the level of fraud is not grounds for ineligibility.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Missouri.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I believe we have a sacred responsibility to protect and empower women, end abuse and assault, and hold perpetrators of violence against women accountable for their crimes.
However, we need to be sure that our efforts are effective. The Department of Justice inspector general has consistently revealed fraudulent and wasteful uses of VAWA grant funds. Congress should demand accountability so that every dollar marked for helping victims and preventing violence against women actually goes to help the most vulnerable.
My commonsense amendment would prevent those who commit fraud and misuse from receiving VAWA funds. Madam Speaker, they are stealing from the victims that they are supposed to be helping by these efforts and should face the consequences.
Democrats and Republicans should agree that this amendment will advance prevention efforts and victim services. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my amendment.
Madam Speaker, however, I want to take this opportunity to touch on something that is even more important. I am ashamed that Democrats would bring this legislation to the floor without my amendment that would allow sex trafficking victims to receive grant funding through the Creating Hope Through Outreach, Options, Services, and Education for Children and Youth program.
My amendment was removed, stripped in a partisan fashion from VAWA this Congress, stripping vital sex trafficking funding for victims and children.
Also not allowed, Madam Speaker, was my amendment that bans the horrors of sex-selection abortions that have killed millions of girls around the world and right here in the United States. It is an unthinkable tragedy that little girls are targeted for death even before they are born solely because of their sex, and I am grieved that Democrats would not allow a vote on this basis to protect unborn girls.
These two amendments are at the very core of what it means to protect women and girls, and I am outraged that Democrats have chosen to move forward in a partisan manner without these critical provisions.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to this amendment.
While I believe it is well-intentioned, and we all want to prevent the misuse of Federal funds, I am concerned about the effect that it may have on small service providers that provide crucial services to victims and survivors.
It is also unnecessary since the underlying bill maintains existing accountability measures, which have proven to work very well.
This amendment imposes a mandatory bar on receiving grant funds up to 5 years if the grant recipient is found to have fraudulently misused such grant funds. Smaller providers, many of whom are run on a voluntary basis, are more likely to make financial errors because they lack the accounting, financial, and compliance expertise that larger organizations have.
Many of these small providers are culturally specific, rural, and Tribal programs that play a crucial role in their communities. Banning such groups from receiving funding for 5 years in these circumstances could have an unnecessarily punitive effect and could be detrimental to the victims and survivors who rely on them.
For many small service providers who rely on Federal funds to support their operations, such a severe penalty, or even the threat of one, could make a difference between continuing to serve victims and survivors in need and shutting their doors forever.
Accountability is vital in all forms, and I appreciate the spirit behind this amendment; but, for these providers, I fear it could end up doing more harm than good. It is because of these concerns that this amendment is opposed by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, among other organizations, and I must reluctantly oppose the amendment as well.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1300
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
In closing, this amendment will improve the underlying bill.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment, and join me, along with the Department of Justice and the inspector general, to make sure that we are preventing fraud and abuse in these grant programs and making sure that every dollar marked for helping victims and preventing violence against women actually goes to help the most vulnerable.
Nevertheless, Madam Speaker, the underlying bill neglects to give trafficking victims and children the resources they need and was purposefully stripped from this partisan piece of legislation.
Madam Speaker, I oppose H.R. 1620, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to the amount of time remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 3\1/4\ minutes remaining.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, let me acknowledge the leadership of the gentlewoman who has offered this amendment and the opportunities that we have had to work together. I look forward to working with her going forward.
I have also worked with, over the years--really starting from the time that I stood alongside of then-Senator Joe Biden as this bill was presented for reauthorization. It went all the way through my time on the Judiciary Committee and the writing of this bill in 2018, when, unfortunately, there was no effort by the Judiciary Committee to put this bill forward for a hearing, there was no effort by the Senate Republicans, and no effort by the Republican President in 2018 to do anything about the scourge of violence against women and men and many groups.
I have worked with the 200-plus organizations that are involved in the coalition that stand against sexual assault and rape and stalking and domestic violence. They are in many different categories and sizes, but they are vital in their service.
I am concerned that this amendment would undermine those smaller organizations, who are unique in their service that they provide. They are in places where large organizations may not be. They are working with indigenous populations, Native Americans, immigrant women, LGBTQ. They are saving lives.
People of color, Hispanic, African American, we have a very sizeable portion of them and in this legislation, we are reaching out to people who cannot respond and help themselves; housing provisions, in case you have to flee, expediting your ability to get housing.
Then I am as concerned about sex trafficking as my good friend is. I have worked on this legislation. As a former member of the Houston Area Women's Center, I am also well aware of the crisis as it relates to the need for this bill. But in the manager's amendment, we do have language that says that we should have a placeholder for sex trafficking victims who experience sexual violence and assault; that the Federal recognition of their recovery is important.
Throughout this bill, there are provisions that will help individuals who are sex-trafficked. We have that in the bill in relationship to the particular actions that are generated if you are sexually assaulted while you are sex-trafficked.
So we know that this bill is sensitive. There is more that can be done. We look forward to a freestanding bill that deals in specifics, as we have done in the past.
I held the first hearing in my congressional district on human trafficking. I have worked with advocates and continue to work with them, and so I take issue that this bill is not sensitive to sex-
trafficked individuals, and I look forward to working with the gentlewoman as we look forward to expanded resources and expanded response to those who have been sex-trafficked and human-trafficked, because that scourge continues.
This legislation responds to those like that woman in my district who lost her life in the days after Christmas and had her son shot at by her husband. We pay tribute to her. I ask my colleagues to vote against this amendment.
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 233, the previous question is ordered on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).
The question is on the amendment.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appear to have it.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 1620 is postponed.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 50
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