Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026

Improved Accessibility for Victims: The bill seeks to assist States, territories, and Indian Tribes in providing accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant residential and non-residential services to victims and their dependents (Section 101(b)(1)).

Increased Tribal Sovereignty and Support: The bill aims to strengthen the capacity of Indian Tribes to exercise sovereign authority to respond to specified violence committed against Indians (Section 101(b)(2)).

Enhanced Support for Underserved Populations: Provisions are made to support efforts to address the needs of victims who are underserved or face obstacles to accessing services (Section 101(b)(4)). This includes specific resources for those with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency (Section 109(b)(1)(vi)).

Protection of Privacy: The bill mandates that grantees protect the confidentiality and privacy of persons receiving assistance or services to ensure the safety of adult, youth, and child victims (Section 103(b)(1)).

Financial Accessibility for Assistance: The bill prohibits the imposition of income eligibility standards or the levying of fees for assistance or services supported by these funds (Section 103(c)).

Expanded Hotline Capabilities: The bill expands national hotlines to include digital services, providing more ways for people to access help through electronic communications (Section 115(a)(1)).

Potential Loss of Privacy via Oversight: While the bill mandates confidentiality, it specifies that the Secretary may disclose grant activities to specific Congressional committees for oversight purposes, which includes the omission of personally identifying information (Section 103(b)(2)(3)).

Limitations on Service Continuity: The Secretary is granted the authority to waive program requirements, including match requirements, during major disasters or public health emergencies to ensure continuity of program activities (Section 105(a)(6)).