Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act
Bill: H.R.9544 | Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. (D-CA)
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act
This bill establishes a pilot program for the Office on Violence Against Women to award grants to reduce domestic violence that occurs using any form of technology.

To establish a pilot program to address technology-related abuse in 
                        domestic violence cases.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic 
Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In the United States, 27 percent of women and 11 
        percent of men experience some form of physical violence or 
        stalking by an intimate partner.
            (2) Many victims of intimate partner violence also 
        experience nonphysical forms of abuse.
            (3) With the proliferation of digital technology, 
        technological abuse has become increasingly prevalent and 
        pervasive among victims of intimate partner violence.
            (4) According to a 2021 study by the National Network to 
        End Domestic Violence, 97 percent of the programs providing 
        support to victims of intimate partner violence have indicated 
        that abusers are making use of technology to stalk, harass, or 
        control victims.
            (5) In the United States, 1 in 3 women under the age of 35 
        report being sexually harassed online, and over half of 
        lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals report being the target 
        of online abuse based on their sexual orientation or gender.
            (6) Of victims who are stalked using technology--
                    (A) 67 percent received unwanted phone calls, voice 
                messages, or text messages;
                    (B) 50 percent received unwanted emails or messages 
                via the internet;
                    (C) about 35 percent said their activities were 
                monitored using social media;
                    (D) 27 percent experienced the offender posting or 
                threatening to post inappropriate, unwanted, or 
                personal information about them on the internet; and
                    (E) 19 percent said the offender spied on them or 
                monitored their activities using technologies such as 
                listening devices, cameras, or computer or cellphone 
                monitoring software.
            (7) Technological abuse runs the gamut of technical 
        sophistication, from the most basic social media platforms and 
        phone-based apps to specialty stalkerware apps, demonstrating 
        that technological abuse does not require huge financial 
        resources or complex knowledge of technology.
            (8) Rapid advances in the technology and methods for 
        technological abuse present challenges for advocates seeking to 
        advise victims and prevent technological abuse.
            (9) The integration of trained technology experts into 
        survivor support networks has been successful in preventing and 
        shielding survivors from technological abuse.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Office on Violence Against Women.
            (2) Eligible consortium.--The term ``eligible consortium'' 
        means an association--
                    (A) between--
                            (i)(I) 1 or more institutions of higher 
                        education that offers a master's, doctoral, or 
                        vocational program in information technology, 
                        cybersecurity, computer science, or other 
                        similar technological discipline; or
                            (II) 1 or more private or public sector 
                        partners in the community with a technical 
                        workforce and a plan for recruiting 
                        technologists or volunteers to work alongside a 
                        victim service provider (as defined in section 
                        40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 
                        1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a))); and
                            (ii) 1 or more public or private domestic 
                        violence or sexual violence centers; and
                    (B) which has a letter of support from the local, 
                State, Tribal, or territorial government with 
                jurisdiction over the area in which the activities to 
                combat technological abuse will be implemented.
            (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (4) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the 
        pilot program established under section 4(a)(1).
            (5) Technological abuse.--The term ``technological abuse'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a)(40) of the 
        Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(40)).

SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM TO COMBAT TECHNOLOGICAL ABUSE.

    (a) Pilot Program Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The Director, in accordance with paragraph 
        (2), shall establish a pilot program under which the Director 
        may award grants to eligible consortia to combat technological 
        abuse.
            (2) Consultation.--In preparing to establish the pilot 
        program--
                    (A) the Director shall consult with--
                            (i) the Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services;
                            (ii) the Secretary of Education; and
                            (iii) the Chairman of the Federal 
                        Communications Commission; and
                    (B) the Director and the officers described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall consult with relevant 
                stakeholders, including--
                            (i) groups that work on reducing 
                        technological abuse; and
                            (ii) population specific and culturally 
                        specific victim service providers.
            (3) Application.--An eligible consortium desiring a grant 
        under this section shall submit to the Director an application 
        at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by 
        such information, as the Director may reasonably require.
            (4) Grant limits.--
                    (A) Award amount.--A grant awarded under the pilot 
                program shall be in an amount that is not more than 
                $2,000,000.
                    (B) Number of recipients.--Not more than 15 grants 
                may be awarded under the pilot program.
            (5) Duration of pilot program.--The pilot program shall 
        terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
        first award under the pilot program.
    (b) Use of Grant Funds.--A recipient of a grant under this section 
may use the amounts received under the grant to combat technological 
abuse, including for--
            (1) the purchase of new technological devices for victims 
        and survivors of technological abuse; and
            (2) any other use, including the provision of victim 
        services, that will reduce technological abuse or assist 
        victims and survivors of technological abuse.
    (c) Pilot Program Review.--
            (1) During pilot program.--Not later than 3 years after the 
        date of the first award under the pilot program, the Director 
        shall submit to each committee of Congress with jurisdiction of 
        the activities carried out under the pilot program a report--
                    (A) reviewing the efficacy of the pilot program;
                    (B) indicating challenges to implementation and 
                possible solutions; and
                    (C) including a recommendation relating to whether 
                the pilot program should be turned into a permanent 
                program.
            (2) After pilot program termination.--Not later than 1 year 
        after the date on which the pilot program terminates under 
        subsection (a)(5), the Director shall submit to each committee 
        of Congress with jurisdiction of the activities carried out 
        under the pilot program a report reviewing the efficacy of the 
        pilot program, including best practices and improvements needed 
        to combat technological abuse.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EDUCATION ON TECHNOLOGICAL ABUSE.

    (a) Grant Program Authorized.--The Director in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services shall establish a program under which the Director may award 
grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education 
to develop and implement training and educational programs and 
technical assistance for organizations and individuals who provide 
support for victims of technological abuse.
    (b) Multiple Grants.--A recipient of a grant under section 4 is not 
barred from receiving a grant under this section.
    (c) Use of Grant Funds.--A nonprofit organization or institution of 
higher education shall use the amounts received under a grant under 
this section to develop tools, curricula, and other materials.
    (d) Grant Program Limits.--
            (1) Maximum amount.--The Director may award a total of not 
        more than $20,000,000 in grants under this section.
            (2) Period of grants.--The Director shall award grants 
        under this section for a period of 5 years.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
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