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Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026
Introduced Jun 11, 2026 · Last action Jun 11, 2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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Summary
The Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes an independent Children's Commission to promote awareness of children's views and interests, receive and review complaints, and advocate for child well-being. The Commission will provide recommendations to Congress and agencies on policies affecting children, and work to ensure that children's voices are heard in policy discussions.
Full bill text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9287 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9287
To establish an independent Children's Commission and position of
Commissioner, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 11, 2026
Mr. McGarvey (for himself, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Jacobs, Ms.
Tlaib, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and
Ms. Bonamici) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an independent Children's Commission and position of
Commissioner, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Child Safety and Well-Being Act of
2026''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Agency.--The term ``agency'' has the meaning given the
term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Child.--The term ``child'' means an individual from
birth up to an age of 18 years.
(3) Children's commissioner.--The term ``Children's
Commissioner'' means the individual employed under section
3(e).
(4) Child impact statement.--The term ``child impact
statement'' means an analysis and assessment of the direct and
indirect outcomes that a change in laws, policy, regulations,
or Federal appropriations will have on children.
(5) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the
Children's Commission established by section 3(a).
(6) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller General''
means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(7) Marginalized youth.--The term ``marginalized youth''
means individuals who--
(A) are not less than 13 years of age; and
(B) experience systemic barriers in the transition
from adolescence to adulthood, including--
(i) children who have experienced
discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity,
religion, disability status, sex (including
sexual orientation and gender identity), or
socioeconomic status;
(ii) current or former foster youth;
(iii) youth in the juvenile justice system,
residential treatment, or other systems of
care;
(iv) homeless and runaway youth;
(v) children with disabilities;
(vi) victims of child exploitation and
child trafficking;
(vii) youth in troubled teen institutional
settings; and
(viii) other youth identified by the
Children's Commissioner.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Children's Commission.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Number and appointment.--The Commission shall be
composed of 15 members appointed by the Comptroller General, in
consultation with the Board on Children, Youth, and Families at
the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
(2) Qualifications.--
(A) In general.--The membership of the Commission
shall include--
(i) individuals with national recognition
for their scholarship and expertise in issues
of importance to children and marginalized
youth;
(ii) individuals who work for nonprofit
organizations that advocate for children,
including organizations that protect children's
civil rights;
(iii) individuals who work with
marginalized youth;
(iv) pediatricians, child psychologists,
developmental psychologists, and childhood
trauma experts;
(v) educators;
(vi) other experts who serve children or
administer State, Tribal, or local children's
programs;
(vii) childcare providers; and
(viii) young people with relevant lived
experiences.
(B) Varied backgrounds and experiences.--The
membership of the Commission shall include--
(i) a mix of different professions, broad
geographic representation, a balance between
urban and rural representation, and a mix of
different racial and ethnic representatives, to
reflect the demographic makeup of children and
youth of the United States; and
(ii) individuals and service providers with
specific expertise or significant experience in
delivering culturally appropriate, trauma-
informed, and responsive services for children
and youth.
(C) Majority nonproviders.--The Comptroller General
shall ensure individuals who are directly involved in
the provision or management of the delivery of services
to children shall not constitute a majority of the
membership of the Commission.
(D) Ethical disclosure.--
(i) In general.--The Comptroller General
shall establish a system for public disclosure
by members of the Commission of financial and
other potential conflicts of interest related
to those members.
(ii) Financial disclosure requirements.--A
member of the Commission shall be deemed to be
an individual described in section 13103(f) of
title 5, United States Code, and shall be
subject to the requirements of subchapter I of
chapter 131 of such title.
(E) Recommendations.--Not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall establish a process for recommending
qualified and interested individuals for the Commission
in order to set up an ongoing pool of qualified
individuals for nomination to the Commission.
(3) Date of appointment.--The Comptroller General shall
appoint members of the Commission not later than 120 days after
the date of enactment of this Act and immediately notify the
Committee of Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee of Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives of the appointments.
(4) Chair and vice chair.--The Commission shall designate
by majority vote a Chair and Vice Chair from among the members
of the Commission, each of whom shall serve in such positions
of Chair and Vice Chair for a period of 1 year.
(c) Terms; Vacancies.--
(1) Terms.--The terms of the members of the Commission
shall be 3 years, except that the Comptroller General shall
designate staggered terms for the members first appointed.
(2) Vacancies.--
(A) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall
be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made, as described in subsection (b),
and shall be subject to any conditions that applied
with respect to the original appointment.
(B) Filling unexpired term.--An individual chosen
to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired
term of the member replaced, including an individual
chosen to fill a vacancy in the position of Chair or
Vice Chair.
(d) Meetings.--
(1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the
Commission shall hold the first meeting of the Commission.
(2) Frequency.--The Commission shall meet at the call of
the Children's Commissioner not less frequently than 4 times
per year, with not fewer than 1 meeting focusing on children's
voices.
(3) Children's perspectives.--The Commission should seek to
incorporate children's perspectives in each meeting of the
Commission.
(4) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
hold hearings.
(e) Children's Commissioner.--
(1) In general.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall employ and
fix the compensation of a Children's Commissioner, who
shall serve as executive director of the Commission,
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
service.
(B) Restrictions on employment.--An individual may
only be employed as the Children's Commissioner if the
individual--
(i) was not employed by, and did not
receive compensation from, a for-profit entity
during the 2-year period preceding the
appointment; and
(ii) is an individual described in any of
clauses (i) through (viii) of subsection
(b)(2)(A).
(C) Duties.--The Children's Commissioner shall
carry out the following duties:
(i) Solicit applications to fill a vacancy
or prospective vacancy in the membership of the
Commission with sufficient time for qualified
individuals to apply.
(ii) Consult with organizations that have a
special interest in the functions of the
Commission.
(D) Ethical disclosure.--
(i) In general.--The Comptroller General
shall establish a system for public disclosure
by the Children's Commissioner of financial and
other potential conflicts of interest related
to the Children's Commissioner.
(ii) Financial disclosure requirements.--
The Children's Commissioner shall be deemed to
be an individual described in section 13103(f)
of title 5, United States Code, and shall be
subject to the requirements of subchapter I of
chapter 131 of such title.
(2) Term.--
(A) In general.--The term of the Children's
Commissioner shall be 5 years, beginning on the date on
which the Commission employs the Children's
Commissioner.
(B) Subsequent terms.--Each subsequent term of a
Children's Commissioner shall begin on the day after
the date on which the previous term expires or the date
on which the Commission employs the Commissioner,
whichever is later.
(C) Limitation.--An individual may not serve more
than 2 terms as the Children's Commissioner.
(3) Experts and consultants.--Subject to such review as the
Comptroller General determines necessary to ensure the
efficient administration of the Commission, the Children's
Commissioner may--
(A) seek such assistance and support as may be
required in the performance of its duties from
appropriate Federal and State departments and agencies;
(B) enter into contracts or make other
arrangements, as may be necessary for the conduct of
the work of the Commission, without regard to section
6101 of title 41, United States Code;
(C) make advance, progress, and other payments
which relate to the work of the Commission;
(D) provide transportation and subsistence for
persons serving without compensation;
(E) prescribe such rules and regulations as the
Children's Commissioner determines necessary with
respect to the internal organization and operation of
the Commission;
(F) reach out directly to children and child
advocates to understand their concerns and needs; and
(G) speak out on matters of importance to children
and marginalized youth and help facilitate their voice
in policy discussions at the Federal and State levels
involving their concerns, needs, and future.
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) promote awareness of the views and interests of
children and marginalized youth in the United States;
(2) receive and review complaints against agencies relating
to how the agencies are serving children, and serve as a
central location for the receipt of any complaint, criticism,
or suggestion concerning the policies and activities of
governmental entities or other institutions or agencies that
affect child well-being;
(3) incorporate varied backgrounds and experiences of
children in the United States and work to include perspectives
and analysis for children across racial, ethnic, religious,
sex, and geographic boundaries and socioeconomic, immigration,
and disability statuses in the work of the Commission;
(4) advocate for child well-being in the United States and
consider child well-being in Federal legislation, regulatory
actions, and policy;
(5) examine the way Federal legislation, regulatory
actions, and policy affect marginalized youth and how children
and marginalized youth transition into adulthood;
(6) advise Congress, agencies, and States on the views and
interests of children and marginalized youth on policies
impacting child well-being;
(7) develop proposals for changes in the policies and
activities of agencies that will better ensure the well-being
of all children;
(8) research or consider any other matter relating to the
interests of children and marginalized youth;
(9) publish reports on matters researched or considered
under this section;
(10) monitor the development and application of Federal,
State, and local laws, regulations, orders, and guidance
affecting children;
(11) represent the views and interests of children,
including marginalized youth, before Congress and agencies
whose regulatory actions and policies and activities may impact
children;
(12) enlist the cooperation and assistance of Federal,
State, or public agencies, businesses, and other organizations
in disseminating information in an accessible format about the
programs and services provided by the Federal Government that
benefit children;
(13) encourage agencies and policymakers engaged in
activities affecting children to take account of the views and
interests of children;
(14) promote greater civic participation in United States
by children and marginalized youth and empower those voices in
public policy;
(15) recommend specific measures for creating an
environment in which all children will have the opportunity to
thrive and reach their full potential and to ascertain the
common reasons, if any, that prevent children from thriving;
(16) coordinate and share information and data with
commissioners and ombudsmen for children in State and local
governments that is disaggregated, if at all possible, along
racial, ethnic, sex, disability, and socioeconomic status;
(17) examine international issues impacting children
domestically and abroad and collaborate, and if appropriate
coordinate, with children's commissioners in other countries;
and
(18) make such other recommendations as may be appropriate
to assist the development and strengthening of child well-
being.
(b) Considerations.--In carrying out the duties under this section,
the Commission shall consider the views and interests of children
relating to--
(1) the physical and mental health and emotional well-being
of children;
(2) prevention and treatment from or due to child abuse and
neglect;
(3) early childhood, K-12 education, higher education, and
workforce development;
(4) the social and economic well-being of children;
(5) the ways social determinants and other inequities
impact the health and well-being of children; and
(6) the contribution made by children to society.
(c) Comments on Agency Reports.--If an agency submits to Congress
or a committee of Congress a report that is required by law and relates
to child well-being--
(1) the agency shall transmit a copy of the report to the
Commission; and
(2) the Commission may submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress and the agency written comments on the report,
which may include such recommendations as the Commission
determines appropriate.
(d) Review of Regulations.--The Commission shall review Federal
regulations, orders, guidance, or other directives and may provide
written comment to appropriate committees of Congress and the
appropriate agencies on any such matter that impacts child well-being.
(e) Publicly Available.--The Commission shall make any reports
issued by the Commission publicly available on the website of the
Commission so that children, parents, providers, policymakers, and the
general public have access to the findings of the Commission.
(f) Accessibility for Children.--If the Commission publishes a
report or makes a comment or recommendation under this section, the
Commission shall, if and to the extent the Commission considers
appropriate, publish an alternative version using language that is
appropriate for children.
(g) Study on Child Impact Statements.--Not later than 180 days
after all members of the Commission are appointed, the Commission shall
conduct a study and report to Congress on the feasibility for agencies
to create child impact statements.
(h) Report on Recommendations.--The Commission shall review the
recommendations from the National Bipartisan Commission on Children,
the National Commission on Children and Disasters, the Commission to
Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, the Commission on Native
Children, and other relevant congressionally authorized commissions and
annually report to Congress on the status of those recommendations.
(i) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties under this section,
the Commission shall consult with, as appropriate--
(1) children representative of racial and ethnically
diverse backgrounds and different backgrounds based on sex
(including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability,
immigration, and socioeconomic status, including marginalized
youth;
(2) the committees of Congress that have jurisdiction over
children's issues;
(3) agencies working on issues impacting child well-being;
(4) States (including the District of Columbia and any
territory or possession of the United States), and Indian
Tribes and Tribal organizations (as defined in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304));
(5) nonprofit organizations advocating for and providing
services to children;
(6) international organizations and agencies working on
issues related to child well-being;
(7) civil rights and disability rights organizations that
work on children's issues;
(8) schools and childcare centers; and
(9) such other organizations, agencies, or persons as the
Commission considers appropriate.
SEC. 5. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this Act.
(b) Information From Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from a
Federal department or agency such information as the Commission
considers necessary to carry out this Act.
(2) Furnishing information.--On request of the Chairperson
of the Commission, the head of the department or agency shall
furnish the information to the Commission.
(c) Data Collection.--In order to carry out its duties and
functions, the Commission shall--
(1) utilize existing information, both published and
unpublished, where possible, collected and assessed either by
its own staff or under other arrangements made in accordance
with this Act;
(2) carry out, or award grants or contracts for, original
research, where existing information is inadequate; and
(3) adopt procedures allowing any interested party to
submit information for use by the Commission in making reports
and recommendations.
(d) Access of GAO to Information.--The Comptroller General shall
have unrestricted access to all deliberations, records, and
nonproprietary data of the Commission, upon request.
(e) Periodic Audit.--The Commission shall be subject to periodic
audit by the Comptroller General.
(f) Amicus Curiae.--
(1) In general.--The Children's Commissioner may appear as
amicus curiae in any action brought in a court of the United
States to review an agency rule or guidance to present the
views of the Commission on the effect of the rule or guidance
on children.
(2) Granting appearance.--A court of the United States
shall grant the application of the Children's Commissioner to
appear in any such action for the purpose described in
paragraph (1).
(g) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(h) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of services or property.
SEC. 6. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--A member of the Commission who is not
an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated
at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time)
during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of
the Commission.
(b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be allowed
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates
authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57
of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular
places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Children's Commissioner may, without
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointments in the competitive service, appoint and
terminate such other additional personnel as may be necessary
to enable the Commission to perform its duties.
(2) Director of children and youth outreach and
engagement.--The Children's Commissioner shall without regard
to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, appoint a Director of
Children and Youth Outreach and Engagement to help coordinate
with, provide technical support to, and work with staff of the
Commission to regularly incorporate the voices of children and
youth in carrying out the duties and consultation directives of
the Commission.
(3) Compensation.--The Children's Commissioner may fix the
compensation of personnel appointed under this subsection
without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of
positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate
of pay for any such individual may not exceed the rate payable
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
that title.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--A Federal Government employee
may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such
detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Children's Commissioner may procure temporary and intermittent services
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for
individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate
of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of that title.
SEC. 7. DURATION OF COMMISSION.
Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the
Commission.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Commission to carry out this Act $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years
2027 through 2034.
(b) Availability.--Any sums appropriated pursuant to this section
shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.
<all>Official legislative text sourced from the public record (cached on CivicsHQ).
Official source
View the original bill, actions, and full legislative record on Congress.gov.
Status
In Committee
- 1Introduced
- 2Committee
- 3Floor
- 4Passed
- 5Signed
Timeline reflects current normalized status only. Full action history is not yet stored in the API.
Topics
Criminal JusticeEducationSocial Services
Sponsors
- Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]DHouseKY
Votes
Voting records are not yet available for this bill.