What does Preamble of Melanie's Law do?

This bill proposes to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It aims to establish a grant program. The grant program would support protective orders for individuals related by blood or marriage to those in intimate relationships.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Melanie's Law do?

This Act is formally titled Melanie's Law.

What does GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PROTECTIVE ORDERS THAT PROTECT of Melanie's Law do?

This section amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to add Part PP, titled 'Melanie's Law: Grant Program to Support Protective Orders'. The purpose of Melanie's Law is to support states in implementing protective order authorities and related activities involving domestic violence. The term 'Melanie's Law protective order authorities' refers to laws ensuring courts have jurisdiction to issue protective orders for individuals related by blood, marriage, or in intimate relationships. The Attorney General may provide grants to eligible states for purposes including education and training for law enforcement, facilitating service of protective orders, and establishing systems to manage protective order information. Grant funds can also be used to support victims through civil legal services, victim advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, and access to communications equipment. To be eligible for grants, a state must have in effect and certify the Melanie's Law protective order authorities. The Attorney General may obligate funds on a formula basis (up to 75%), a competitive basis (up to 22%), and for administrative expenses (up to 3%). Each eligible state will receive a minimum allocation of 0.5% under the formula basis.

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Melanie's Law

Last updated: 5/11/2026 · Introduced: 5/11/2026

Author: Patrick Ryan (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

Melanie's Law establishes a federal grant program to assist states in implementing and supporting protective orders for individuals related by blood or marriage, or in intimate relationships.
Eligible states can receive grant funding for law enforcement training, protective order service, victim support services (including legal aid, shelter, and counseling), and communication equipment.
To qualify for these grants, states must certify that they have enacted laws ensuring courts can issue protective orders for individuals related by blood, marriage, or in intimate relationships.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

3 sections

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