States could get federal money to record child welfare interviews. They would have to keep the recordings for at least five years and limit who can see them. The money would come from existing federal child welfare funds from 2026 through 2031.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
GRACIE Act of 2026 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Latest action on H.R. 8245: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects state child protective services agencies and the families involved in child welfare interviews. Agencies would need recording tools, secure storage, access rules, and staff procedures. Children, parents, caregivers, and guardians could have sensitive interviews recorded and stored for years. Courts, prosecutors, and investigators could use the recordings in related cases.
Why this matters: Child welfare interviews can shape major decisions about a child and family, and this bill would create a clearer record of what was said. Recordings may help settle disputes about an interview, support court cases, and let agencies review their own work. At the same time, the recordings would contain private details about children and families. The bill tries to limit access, but the real effect would depend on how states build and enforce their systems.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Officially: GRACIE Act of 2026
States could get federal money to record child welfare interviews. They would have to keep the recordings for at least five years and limit who can see them. The money would come from existing federal child welfare funds from 2026 through 2031.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR8245. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
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Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. (4/9/2026)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to GRACIE Act of 2026, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR8245, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
