House Bill
Gwen Moore
Representative
Cosponsors
115
Policy Area
Summary
This bill aims to improve the health, safety, and treatment of youth in residential programs by establishing a federal work group to develop best practices and recommendations for oversight and training.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill aims to improve the health, safety, and treatment of youth in residential programs by establishing a federal work group to develop best practices and recommendations for oversight and training.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act</b></p> <p>This bill establishes an interagency Federal Work Group on Youth Residential Programs to support and implement best practices regarding the health and safety, care, treatment, and appropriate placement of youth in youth residential programs.</p> <p>The work group must develop recommendations about a national database to aggregate information about processes and outcomes for youth in such programs. The work group also must support the education and training of professional and paraprofessional personnel in fields that service such youth.</p> <p>Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and make recommendations about various aspects of federal and state oversight of youth residential programs.</p>
Main provisions of the bill
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If passed, this bill would affect youth in residential programs, such as foster homes, group homes, and other out-of-home placements. It could lead to improved standards of care, better data collection, and stronger oversight to protect vulnerable young people from abuse or neglect in these settings.
Primary Policy Area
Related Subjects
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
2955, 119th Congress (2025). "Smart Ship Repair Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-2955