7.4% of U.S. children will be interviewed by CPS by age 18, often without witnesses or accountability for accuracy.
GRACIE Act Coalition Sign Up – S 659
The GRACIE Act (Generating Recordings of All CPS Interviews Everywhere) incentivizes states to modernize their CPS interview protocols to require mandatory audio or video recordings of all interviews in order to protect children from trafficking, abuse, and unnecessary removals. Child Protective Services (CPS) interview protocols are outdated and require reform. CPS is the gatekeeper to the foster care system. Mandatory audio recordings of all CPS interviews are a crucial accountability measure, similar to DOJ-mandated interrogation recordings and police body cameras. Senators Blackburn and Ossoff are co-leading in Congress, and it will be introduced shortly in the House.
It is both a child protection and “parents rights” bill as well, and you can watch the Congressional testimony of the story that inspired the bill here.
Street Grace is a the anti-child exploitation organization who is supporting the efforts for the advancement of the bill at both the state and federal level.
Summary: CPS (Child Protective Services – DCS or similar in some states) interview protocols are outdated and lack accountability.
- Problem:
- 37.4% of U.S. children will be interviewed by CPS by age 18, often without witnesses or accountability for accuracy.
- Current practices risk inaccurate portrayal or omission of a child’s testimony, contributing to trauma and potential injustice.
- Solution: Mandatory audio recordings of all CPS interviews to ensure accuracy and transparency, aligning with DOJ-mandated interrogation recordings and police body camera practices.
- Benefits of Recording:
- Enhances accountability, accuracy, and efficiency of interviews.
- Reduces trauma by limiting repeated interviews.
- Improves identification of trafficking victims (less than 1% currently identified).
- Expert Support:
- DOJ and OJJDP recommend recording to ensure transparency and proper documentation.
- The National Children’s Advocacy Center states recordings are the most accurate method, used in 90% of their facilities.
- The National Coalition for Child Protection Reform advocates for mandatory videotaping, suggesting non-recorded interviews be inadmissible in court.
Call to Action:
Federal: Incentivize state legislation to modernize CPS protocols to safeguard vulnerable youth (i.e. provide states with funding to support the passage of a law)
State: mandate that CPS record all interviews.
