The House of Representatives approved H.R. 1585, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 on April 4 by a vote of 263-158 and included a number of trauma-specific amendments. This action demonstrates the continuing growth of bi-partisan support for trauma-informed approaches in Congress.
Of the 40 amendments offered, four amendments (all passed) specifically addresse trauma. One amendment requires law enforcement to take a trauma-informed approach into the initial response to and investigation of the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) offered this amendment (#14).
Three newly elected members—Reps Schrier, Shalala, and Underwood—offered amendment #34 to address health professionals’ background related to trauma, behavioral health, and the impact of exposure to violence. As reported in ACEs Connection, Rep. Underwood has addressed the impact of toxic stress caused by family separation on short and long-term health outcomes for children.
For the full text of the amendments (numbered 7, 14, 15, and 34), click on the name of the sponsor of the amendment in this Rules Committee document (also attached). Since the 8-page document does not have page numbers, the location of amendments is indicated below.
—Amendment 7 -- Waters (CA) on fourth page -- passed by a vote of 258 to 173
Creates a new purpose area to the grants to combat violent crimes on campuses, which allows grant funds to be used for the training of campus personnel in how to use victim-centered, trauma-informed interview techniques, informed by evidence based research on the neurobiology of trauma, when asking questions of a student or employee who reports to be a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.
—Amendment 14 -- Emmer (MN), Jayapal (WA) on fifth page -- passed by voice vote
Authorizes the Office on Violence Against Women to improve the handling of crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by incorporating a trauma-informed approach into the initial response to and investigation of such crimes.
—Amendment 15 -- Quigley (IL) on fifth page -- passed by voice vote
Requires the Secretary of HHS to review and submit a report on whether being a victim of domestic violence increases the likelihood of having a substance use disorder.
—Amendment 34 -- Schrier (WA), Shalala (FL), Underwood (IL) on 8th page -- passed by voice vote
Specifies that trauma and behavioral health specialists are included in the term “health care professionals.” The amendment would also increase the number of health care professionals that specialize in child exposure to violence.
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