Katko offers bipartisan bill to reauthorize, increase funding for domestic violence prevention

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) recently introduced the bipartisan Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (FVPSA), the only federal funding source providing domestic violence prevention services.

“By reauthorizing this important program, we will ensure local, state, and tribal governments, as well as critical service providers in our communities, have the resources necessary to prevent violence and provide essential protection and support services to survivors,” the congressman said.

Rep. Katko on March 23 signed on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 2119 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) to reauthorize and amend the FVPSA to make improvements, increase the funding authorization level to $253 million, and provide access to non-funded FVPSA programs that exist under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

“Since it was first authorized in 1984, the bipartisan FVPSA has played a vital role in supporting survivors of domestic violence and their children,” said Rep. Katko. “In central New York, I’ve heard firsthand how important FVPSA is to keeping families safe and ensuring they have access to emergency resources.”

If enacted, H.R. 2119 also would expand resources for survivors and initiatives to end domestic violence by improving support for and access to culturally specific programs and meaningfully investing in prevention, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Katko’s office.

Additionally, H.R. 2119 would bolster and update the National Domestic Violence Hotline, as well as hotline services for underrepresented populations, and create a new underserved populations grant program, among other provisions, the summary states.

H.R. 2119 has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee and the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.