National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act
Bill: H.R.3673 | Sponsor: Rep. Pappas, Chris (D-NH)
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act
This bill requires the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, to award grants for states, tribal nations, localities, and community-based organizations to establish response teams to address adverse childhood experiences associated with exposure to trauma.

To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to 
    establish the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team grant 
                    program, and for other purposes.

    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 ``National ACERT Grant Program 
Authorization Act''.

SEC. 2. ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES RESPONSE TEAM GRANT PROGRAM.

    Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 
(34 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

  ``PART OO--ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES RESPONSE TEAM GRANT PROGRAM

``SEC. 3051. GRANTS FOR ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES RESPONSE TEAMS.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--From amounts made available to carry out 
this section, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services, shall make grants to States, units of 
local government, Indian Tribes, and neighborhood or community-based 
organizations to address adverse childhood experiences associated with 
exposure to trauma.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under this 
section may be used to establish an adverse childhood experiences 
response team, including by--
            ``(1) establishing protocols to follow when encountering a 
        child or youth exposed to trauma to facilitate access to 
        services;
            ``(2) developing referral partnership agreements with 
        behavioral health providers, substance treatment facilities, 
        and recovery services for family members of children exposed to 
        trauma;
            ``(3) integrating law enforcement, mental health, and 
        crisis services to respond to situations where children have 
        been exposed to trauma;
            ``(4) implementing comprehensive programs and practices to 
        support children exposed to trauma;
            ``(5) identifying barriers for children to access trauma-
        informed care in their communities;
            ``(6) providing training in trauma-informed care to 
        emergency response providers, victim service providers, child 
        protective service professionals, educational institutions, and 
        other community partners;
            ``(7) supporting cross-system planning and collaboration 
        among officers and employees who work in law enforcement, court 
        systems, child welfare services, correctional reentry programs, 
        emergency medical services, health care services, public 
        health, and substance abuse treatment and recovery support; and
            ``(8) providing technical assistance to communities, 
        organizations, and public agencies on how to prevent and 
        mitigate the impact of exposure to trauma and violence.
    ``(c) Application.--A State, unit of local government, Indian 
Tribe, or neighborhood or community-based organization desiring a grant 
under this section shall submit to the Attorney General an application 
in such form, and containing such information, as the Attorney General 
may reasonably require.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 2022 through 2025.''.
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