PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-424.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jan 7, 2019
Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018
(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes for FY2019-FY2023 grants for local and regional children's advocacy centers (CACs), as well as for technical assistance and training. CACs coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse.
The bill adds a new finding specifying the need for state chapters of CAC networks (1) to help local communities coordinate their multidisciplinary services, and (2) to provide oversight of, and training and technical assistance in, the effective delivery of evidence-informed programming.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
It modifies grants for regional CACs, including
to add, as a new program objective, collaboration with state chapters; and
to require regional CACs to assist local CACs, multidisciplinary teams, and state chapters, in addition to communities.
It also modifies grants for local CACs, including
to add, as a new grant purpose, promoting the effective delivery of the evidence-informed Children's Advocacy Model and the multidisciplinary response to child abuse;
to allow grants to support direct services for victims of human trafficking, in addition to victims of child pornography; and
to require a portion of grants to be distributed to state chapters.
The Department of Justice must report annually on efforts to monitor and evaluate the program activities of regional CACs and the extent to which both urban and rural populations are served by the regional CAC program.
(Sec. 3) The bill provides immunity from civil and criminal liability under federal, state, and local law for people who make good-faith reports of child abuse or neglect or who provide related information or assistance.
People & committees
Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] · R–MO
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 115-424.
Became Public Law No: 115-424.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 2 (Roll no. 453). (text: CR H10396-10398)
House roll call 453 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 - 2 (Roll no. 453).(text: CR H10396-10398)
House roll call 453 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10433-10434)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2961.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10396-10401)
Mr. Collins (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
By Senator Grassley from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 115-432.
By Senator Grassley from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 115-432.
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7450-7452)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7450-7452)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7449-7450; text: CR S7449-7450)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7449-7452)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 581.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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