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Bill
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Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act

S. 4979 · 117th Congress · Sep 28, 2022 · Lineage

A BILL

To authorize grants for emotional support services for incarcerated victims of sexual abuse, and for other purposes.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Act”.

2. Definitions

In this Act:
(1)
Emotional support service— The term emotional support service—
(A)
means emotional support services or counseling for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their life; and
(B)
includes—
(i)
crisis intervention services;
(ii)
education about dynamics of sexual abuse and sexual harassment;
(iii)
sharing resources;
(iv)
safety planning and discussion of reporting options;
(v)
telephone hotline services; and
(vi)
assistance processing trauma reactions and building coping skills.
(2)
Emotional support service provider— The term emotional support service provider means a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that has—
(A)
special expertise and broad experience in providing sexual abuse and rape crisis counseling services for survivors, including victims of sexual abuse in correctional settings; and
(B)
experience with correctional services, such as—
(i)
understanding the unique dynamics of custodial sexual abuse;
(ii)
understanding correctional practices and correctional security concerns; or
(iii)
providing technical assistance and training to correctional officers and administrators.
(3)
Nonprofit organization— The term nonprofit organization means an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
(4)
Training services— The term training services means providing education, training, and technical assistance on providing emotional support services in corrections settings for incarcerated survivors and victims of sexual abuse.

3. Emotional support services for sexual abuse victims in detention facilities

(a)
Grants authorized— The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime, may award grants to emotional support service providers for the purpose of collaborating with Federal, State, local, or Tribal authorities to provide emotional support services in corrections settings for incarcerated survivors and victims of sexual abuse.
(b)
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028 to carry out this section.
(c)
Supplement, Not Supplant— Amounts made available under this section shall supplement and not supplant any other authorization, appropriation, or grant.

4. Training grants

(a)
Eligible entity— In this section, the term eligible entity mean an entity that has experience providing training services in the manner described in subsection (c).
(b)
Authority— The Attorney General may award grants to eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (c).
(c)
Use of Funds— An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (b) shall use amounts received under the grant to—
(1)
provide training services to a corrections agency or facility seeking to offer emotional support services at the institution;
(2)
provide training services to correctional officers and administrators; and
(3)
collect and maintain data on a biannual basis on the usage volume for training services described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(d)
Authorization of Appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028.

5. Sexual Abuse Services in Detention Resource Center

(a)
Eligible Organization— In this section, the term eligible organization means a nonprofit organization that has special expertise and broad experience in providing the information, guidance, and technical assistance described in subsection (b).
(b)
Establishment— The Attorney General shall establish a national resource center that shall—
(1)
provide guidance and training series to corrections agencies, prisons, jails, and other detention facilities on establishing, administering, operating, and supporting emotional support services for sexual abuse victims in correctional or detention facilities;
(2)
provide guidance and training services to emotional support service providers on establishing, administering, operating, and supporting emotional support services for sexual abuse victims in correctional or detention facilities; and
(3)
collect, compile, and disseminate resources on the delivery of emotional support services in correctional or detention settings, including—
(A)
training services;
(B)
research; and
(C)
best practices.
(c)
Grant— The Attorney General may make a grant to an eligible organization to provide for the establishment, functioning, or implementation of subsection (b).
(d)
Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028 to carry out this section.