U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Blake Moore (R-UT) have proposed a bipartisan bill that would support state efforts to require and retain the digital recordings of all Child Protective Services (CPS) interviews.
Rep. Wagner on April 9 sponsored the Generate Recordings of All Child protective Interviews Everywhere (GRACIE) Act of 2026, H.R. 8245, with four original cosponsors, including Rep. Moore and U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), to support state efforts to record all child welfare interviews.
“Child Protective Services is a critical tool to shield children from abuse, and they are often the first step in ensuring children are taken out of abusive situations and abusers are put behind bars,” Rep. Wagner said on April 23. “The GRACIE Act would help ensure these initial interviews with investigators are appropriately retained so our justice system has the right evidence to hold accountable the perpetrators of this despicable crime.”
The U.S. Department of Justice, as well as most state-level police departments, already require recordings of all interrogations or body cameras, according to information provided by the lawmakers.
“In Utah, the Division of Child and Family Services, Children’s Justice Centers, and law enforcement work tirelessly to keep families safe and prosecute those who abuse or neglect children,” said Rep. Moore. “They need every tool available to them to support and stand up for children when they need it most.”
Street Grace and the 3Strands Global Foundation support H.R. 8245, which is companion legislation to the same-named bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
“When a child speaks up about abuse, we cannot afford to lose that evidence,” Rep. Moskowitz said. “The GRACIE Act helps make sure those early interviews are preserved so the people who hurt children can be prosecuted.”