What does Preamble of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to amend the Social Security Act to address child welfare involvement caused by reasonable childhood independence activities It also seeks to amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to promote childhood independence The bill has been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Education and Workforce for consideration

What does SHORT TITLE. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings regarding the investigation and criminalization of American families for allowing children to develop resilience and independence. The text highlights instances where parents have faced legal consequences for seemingly minor actions, such as allowing children to play in parks or walk home alone. It notes a decline in unstructured outdoor activities and increased screen time for children, correlating these trends with rising rates of childhood anxiety, depression, and mental health hospitalizations. The findings suggest a decrease in social interaction among teenagers and increased feelings of loneliness among Generation Z. The text references concerns from state legislators regarding potential intervention from child protective services or police, impacting their parenting decisions. The American Academy of Pediatrics' concerns about excessive screen time and its potential negative impacts on children's health and development are also cited.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This section defines a term used within the Act. The term 'reasonable childhood independence activities' is defined by referencing another law. The definition comes from section 3 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5101 note). Section 6 of this Act amends the definition in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

What does STUDY BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This section mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding how states can empower parents to allow children to participate in reasonable childhood independence activities without direct adult supervision. The study must be completed within 180 days of the Act's enactment. A report detailing the Secretary's recommendations will be sent to each state, as well as to specified House and Senate committees. The report will include recommendations on promoting independence and resilience in children through such activities. The report will identify resources and best practices to support parental decisions regarding childhood independence. The report will also address how child protective services can alleviate parental fear and anxiety. The study will review whether state child welfare systems' protocols penalize parents allowing children independence and offer recommendations for improvement.

What does PROMOTING CHILDHOOD INDEPENDENCE. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to promote childhood independence. It requires state plans to include policies for addressing child welfare reports and investigations related to reasonable childhood independence activities. The section defines 'reasonable childhood independence activities' by referencing the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

What does AMENDMENTS TO THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to define 'reasonable childhood independence activities'. The definition includes activities like playing, taking public transportation, walking to school, running errands, and remaining at home for a reasonable period. The Act modifies grant provisions to states, requiring risk and safety assessments to account for the importance of reasonable childhood independence activities. It clarifies that allowing children to participate in these activities does not constitute child abuse or neglect and should not justify child welfare system intervention. Eligibility requirements for state grants now include assurances that parents won't face criminal or civil charges for allowing such activities. The Act mandates training for child protective services workers on the importance of reasonable childhood independence activities.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the effective date for amendments made by the Act. The amendments will take effect on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year beginning after the Act's enactment, applying to payments, grants, and Federal funds for calendar quarters starting after that date. If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State legislation is needed for a State plan to meet new requirements, the plan will not be considered to be failing to meet those requirements until the 1st calendar quarter after the 1st regular session of the State legislature following enactment. If a State has a 2-year legislative session, each year is considered a separate regular session. An extension of a determination that a plan has failed to meet requirements may be granted if the State demonstrates good faith efforts to enact legislation or policy changes to support reasonable childhood independence activities and demonstrates that parents and legal guardians are excluded from legal repercussions for allowing such activities.

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Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026

Last updated: 5/12/2026 · Introduced: 5/12/2026

Author: Blake Moore (R-UT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill aims to reduce investigations and interventions by child welfare systems related to activities that promote children's independence, such as playing outside or walking to school.
It mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify best practices for empowering parents to allow children to engage in reasonable childhood independence activities.
The bill amends the Social Security Act, requiring state plans to address child welfare reports stemming from these independence activities.
It modifies the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to define 'reasonable childhood independence activities' and clarify that allowing them does not constitute child abuse or neglect.
States receiving grants under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act must now assure that parents won't face criminal or civil charges for allowing children to participate in these activities and provide training for child protective services workers.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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