# Plain Language Summary: National Child Abuse Hotline Bill

This bill would create funding for a national child abuse hotline by allowing the federal government to give money to a nonprofit organization to run it. Right now, there are various hotlines and reporting systems scattered across different states and organizations, but this bill would establish one centralized hotline that people could call to report child abuse or get help if they're being abused.

The bill modifies an existing law called the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, which already sets up federal programs to help prevent and treat child abuse. This change simply adds the ability for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the federal official in charge of health programs) to award grants—basically federal funding—to a nonprofit group to operate this national hotline. The nonprofit would handle taking calls from people who suspect child abuse, from children themselves seeking help, or from anyone needing information about child abuse prevention and resources.

In practical terms, this means if you or someone you know needs to report suspected child abuse, there would be a single national number to call rather than having to figure out which local agency handles these reports in your area. For parents or caregivers struggling with anger or stress, the hotline could also provide counseling referrals and support resources. The bill doesn't require states to change their existing systems—it just creates an additional resource that would operate at the national level to make reporting easier and more accessible for everyone.

To amend section 105(a) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant to a nonprofit entity for a national child abuse hotline.

McBath, Lucy

 <p> This bill provides for a grant to establish and operate a national hotline that makes available assistance and information services 24 hours a day to victims of child abuse or neglect, their families, caregivers, and individuals required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The Department of Health and Human Services may award the grant to a nonprofit entity and must prioritize grant applicants with experience operating a hotline and providing such assistance and support.</p>