A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team grant program, and for other purposes. | ChamberLight
Bills · S 1897
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1897Crime and Law Enforcement
A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team grant program, and for other purposes.
INTRO MAY 22· LAST ACTION MAY 22
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it seeks to address the widespread and often long-lasting impact of childhood trauma, known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). If it becomes law, it would provide dedicated federal funding to help communities build better systems to identify, respond to, and support children who have experienced trauma. This means that instead of just reacting to crises, communities could proactively connect children to services, offer mental health support, and train professionals to minimize the harm caused by these experiences.
Without this bill, communities would continue to rely on existing, potentially fragmented, resources to address childhood trauma. Passing this bill could lead to more coordinated, effective, and compassionate responses to children in distress, potentially reducing future crime rates, improving public health outcomes, and fostering healthier communities in the long run.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT) grant program.
This creates a new dedicated funding source for communities to address childhood trauma.
PROVISION 02
Authorizes the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and community organizations.
It defines who is eligible to receive funding and involves both justice and health agencies for a comprehensive approach.
PROVISION 03
Allows grant funds to be used for establishing response teams, developing referral partnerships for behavioral health and substance treatment, and integrating law enforcement, mental health, and crisis services.
These provisions outline specific, impactful ways communities can use the funds to build comprehensive trauma response systems.
PROVISION 04
Permits funds to be used for providing training in trauma-informed care to various emergency response providers, victim service providers, child protective services, and educational institutions.
This ensures that professionals who regularly interact with children are equipped to understand and respond appropriately to trauma.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for the program for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
This sets the potential funding level and duration for the program, indicating the scale of federal commitment.
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 22, 2025
Senate BillS 1897Crime and Law Enforcement
A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team grant program, and for other purposes.
This bill matters because it seeks to address the widespread and often long-lasting impact of childhood trauma, known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). If it becomes law, it would provide dedicated federal funding to help communities build better systems to identify, respond to, and support children who have experienced trauma. This means that instead of just reacting to crises, communities could proactively connect children to services, offer mental health support, and train professionals to minimize the harm caused by these experiences.
Without this bill, communities would continue to rely on existing, potentially fragmented, resources to address childhood trauma. Passing this bill could lead to more coordinated, effective, and compassionate responses to children in distress, potentially reducing future crime rates, improving public health outcomes, and fostering healthier communities in the long run.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT) grant program.
This creates a new dedicated funding source for communities to address childhood trauma.
high
Authorizes the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and community organizations.
It defines who is eligible to receive funding and involves both justice and health agencies for a comprehensive approach.
med
Allows grant funds to be used for establishing response teams, developing referral partnerships for behavioral health and substance treatment, and integrating law enforcement, mental health, and crisis services.
These provisions outline specific, impactful ways communities can use the funds to build comprehensive trauma response systems.
med
Permits funds to be used for providing training in trauma-informed care to various emergency response providers, victim service providers, child protective services, and educational institutions.
This ensures that professionals who regularly interact with children are equipped to understand and respond appropriately to trauma.
high
Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for the program for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.
This sets the potential funding level and duration for the program, indicating the scale of federal commitment.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team grant program (part PP)
discretionary
2026 through 2029
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
A major federal law that provides funding and support for state and local law enforcement and criminal justice programs.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood, such as experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect, or growing up in a household with substance misuse or mental health problems.
Grant Program
A government program that provides financial assistance to eligible recipients (like states, local governments, or organizations) to carry out specific projects or services.
Attorney General
The head of the U.S. Department of Justice and the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
Indian Tribes
Any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation, that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAY 22, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
MAY 22, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
An approach to service delivery that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery, integrating knowledge about trauma into all policies, procedures, and practices.
Authorization of Appropriations
A legislative act that establishes a federal program and specifies how much money Congress *may* spend on it, but does not actually provide the money. Congress must pass a separate appropriations bill to allocate the funds.
