Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026

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Introduced 2026-05-12Topic: social services · civil rights

Summary

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This bill changes federal child welfare law so that letting a child take part in "reasonable childhood independence activities" without adult supervision is not, by itself, treated as child neglect, unless the decision unreasonably disregards a foreseeable risk of serious harm. It defines these activities to include playing, taking public transit, walking or biking to school or stores, running errands, staying home, babysitting, and briefly staying in a car under reasonable conditions. States receiving certain federal child welfare and child abuse prevention funds would have to describe policies, provide staff training, and give assurances that parents will not face charges, investigations, or registry placement solely for allowing such activities. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would study the issue and report recommendations to states and Congress within 180 days.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Action history

Date	Chamber	Action	Status effect
2026-05-12	House	Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	refer
2026-05-12	House	Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	refer
2026-05-12		Introduced in House	introduce
2026-05-12		Introduced in House	introduce

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