S.Amdt. 4163

The amendment, known as the Generate Recordings of All Child protective Interviews Everywhere Act (or the GRACIE Act of 2026), aims to add a new section to the bill to provide grants to States.

The purpose of this amendment is to help State agencies that conduct child welfare interviews record and keep those recordings.

Key Changes and Requirements

• Grants: The Associate Commissioner can give grants to States to help them record and retain all child welfare interviews.
• Use of Funds: Money from these grants must be used for costs related to recording and keeping these recordings for 5 years. This includes initial interviews during family assessments when practicable.
• Recording Standards: States getting these grants must have a policy, statute, or practice to record all child welfare interviews using body cameras, electronic audio, or other reasonable means.
• Retention and Access: Recordings must be stored for at least 5 years. Access is limited to government agencies investigating or prosecuting an allegation, or to caregivers and guardians during judicial proceedings unless a court says otherwise.
• Accountability: States must keep records to allow the Associate Commissioner to conduct audits on how the grant money was received and used.
• Funding: For fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the Associate Commissioner will use no more than $30,000,000 to carry out this section.