Establishment of law enforcement child and youth trauma coordinating center

(a) Establishment of center (1) In general The Attorney General, in coordination with the Civil Rights Division, shall establish a National Law Enforcement Child and Youth Trauma Coordinating Center (referred to in this section as the Center) to provide assistance to adult- and juvenile-serving State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies (including those operated by Indian tribes and tribal organizations as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance Act) in interacting with infants, children, and youth who have been exposed to violence or other trauma, and their families as appropriate. (2) Age range The Center shall determine the age range of infants, children, and youth to be covered by the activities of the Center. (b) Duties The Center shall provide assistance to adult- and juvenile-serving State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies by— (1) disseminating information on the best practices for law enforcement officers, which may include best practices based on evidence-based and evidence-informed models from programs of the Department of Justice and the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the best practices developed under section 7132(d) of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (Public Law 115–271), such as— (A) models developed in partnership with national law enforcement organizations, Indian tribes, or clinical researchers; and (B) models that include— (i) trauma-informed approaches to conflict resolution, information gathering, forensic interviewing, de-escalation, and crisis intervention training; (ii) early interventions that link child and youth witnesses and victims, and their families as appropriate, to age-appropriate trauma-informed services; and (iii) preventing and supporting officers who experience secondary trauma; (2) providing professional training and technical assistance; and (3) awarding grants under subsection (c). (c) Grant program (1) In general The Attorney General, acting through the Center, may award grants to State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies or to multi-disciplinary consortia to— (A) enhance the awareness of best practices for trauma-informed responses to infants, children, and youth who have been exposed to violence or other trauma, and their families as appropriate; and (B) provide professional training and technical assistance in implementing the best practices described in subparagraph (A). (2) Application Any State, local, or tribal law enforcement agency seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may require. (3) Use of funds A grant awarded under this subsection may be used to— (A) provide training to law enforcement officers on best practices, including how to identify and appropriately respond to early signs of trauma and violence exposure when interacting with infants, children, and youth, and their families, as appropriate; and (B) establish, operate, and evaluate a referral and partnership program with trauma-informed clinical mental health, substance use, health care, or social service professionals in the community in which the law enforcement agency serves. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General— (1) $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to award grants under subsection (c); and (2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for other activities of the Center.