Wagner, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Children from Abuse

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) released the following statement after they introduced the GRACIE Act, legislation that would support state efforts to require and retain the digital recording of all CPS interviews. The legislation is supported by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

"Child Protective Services is a critical tool to shield children from abuse, and they are often the first step in ensuring children are taken out of abusive situations and abusers are put behind bars. The GRACIE Act would help ensure these initial interviews with investigators are appropriately retained so our justice system has the right evidence to hold accountable the perpetrators of this despicable crime," said Rep. Ann Wagner. "I appreciated working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as partners in Missouri, to introduce this legislation that will help victims find justice."

"The Missouri Attorney General's Office has a strong history of protecting children and ensuring justice for victims, " said Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway. "The GRACIE Act is a vital step forward in equipping states with the necessary tools to help preserve children's voices, strengthen prosecutions, and ensure transparency. I wholeheartedly support and commend Congresswoman Wagner's efforts to protect the safety and well-being of our children."

"When a child speaks up about abuse, we cannot afford to lose that evidence. The GRACIE Act helps make sure those early interviews are preserved so the people who hurt children can be prosecuted," said Rep. Jared Moskowitz. "This is a smart, straightforward bill that puts protecting kids first and I'm proud to support it."

"In Utah, the Division of Child and Family Services, Children's Justice Centers, and law enforcement work tirelessly to keep families safe and prosecute those who abuse or neglect children. They need every tool available to them to support and stand up for children when they need it most," Rep. Blake Moore said. "I'm proud to introduce the GRACIE Act with Rep. Wagner to financially support states that voluntarily choose to record official child protective service interviews."

Click here to read a one pager on the GRACIE Act.

Supporting Organizations

Street Grace

"Every child deserves to have their voice heard, protected, and preserved. We have seen firsthand how unrecorded CPS interviews can keep truth hidden in the darkness even when a child is brave enough to cry out, and how that darkness can open the door to further exploitation and trafficking," said Street Grace CEO Bob Rodgers. "This legislation is a commonsense, overdue reform that brings accountability and transparency to the frontlines of child protection. We are deeply grateful to Reps. Ann Wagner, Elise Stefanik, Jared Moskowitz, Blake Moore, and Burgess Owens for their bold, bipartisan leadership in championing this bill in the House. The GRACIE Act will address the foster care-to-trafficking pipeline that has devastated far too many young lives."

3Strands Global Foundation

"At 3Strands Global Foundation, we know that how systems respond in moments of crisis can shape a child's life forever. The GRACIE Act represents a critical step toward transparency, accountability, and trauma-informed care within child protective services," said Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Co-Founder. "By ensuring that child welfare interviews are recorded, this legislation helps protect the integrity of investigations, safeguard the rights of children and families, and build trust in the systems designed to keep them safe. We are grateful to Representatives Wagner, Stefanik, Moskowitz, Moore, and Owens for their leadership in advancing common-sense protections that prioritize both child safety and system accountability."