[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2159 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2159
To establish a pilot program to address technology-related abuse in
domestic violence cases.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 25 (legislative day, June 24), 2025
Mr. Wyden introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a pilot program to address technology-related abuse in
domestic violence cases.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic
Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In the United States, 41 percent of women and 26
percent of men experience some form of sexual violence,
physical violence, or stalking, or a combination thereof, by an
intimate partner.
(2) Many victims of intimate partner violence also
experience nonphysical forms of abuse.
(3) With the proliferation of digital technology,
technological abuse has become increasingly prevalent and
pervasive among victims of intimate partner violence.
(4) According to a 2021 study by the National Network to
End Domestic Violence, 97 percent of the programs providing
support to victims of intimate partner violence have indicated
that abusers are making use of technology to stalk, harass, or
control victims.
(5) In the United States, 1 in 3 women under the age of 35
report being sexually harassed online, and over half of LGBTQ+
individuals report being the target of online abuse based on
their sexual orientation or gender.
(6) Of victims who are stalked using technology--
(A) 67 percent received unwanted phone calls, voice
messages, or text messages;
(B) 50 percent received unwanted emails or messages
via the internet;
(C) about 35 percent said their activities were
monitored using social media;
(D) 27 percent experienced the offender posting or
threatening to post inappropriate, unwanted, or
personal information about them on the internet; and
(E) 19 percent said the offender spied on them or
monitored their activities using technologies such as
listening devices, cameras, or computer or cellphone
monitoring software.
(7) Technological abuse runs the gamut of technical
sophistication, from the most basic social media platforms and
phone-based apps to specialty stalkerware apps, demonstrating
that technological abuse does not require huge financial
resources or complex knowledge of technology.
(8) Rapid advances in the technology and methods for
technological abuse present challenges for advocates seeking to
advise victims and prevent technological abuse.
(9) The integration of trained technology experts into
survivor support networks has been successful in preventing and
shielding survivors from technological abuse.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office on Violence Against Women.
(2) Eligible consortium.--The term ``eligible consortium''
means an association--
(A) between--
(i)(I) 1 or more institutions of higher
education that offers a masters, doctoral, or
vocational program in information technology,
cybersecurity, computer science, or other
similar technological discipline; or
(II) 1 or more private or public sector
partners in the community with a technical
workforce and a plan for recruiting
technologists or volunteers to work alongside a
victim service provider (as defined in section
40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of
1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a))); and
(ii) 1 or more public or private domestic
violence or sexual violence centers; and
(B) which has a letter of support from the local,
State, Tribal, or territorial government with
jurisdiction over the area in which the activities to
combat technological abuse will be implemented.
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(4) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the
pilot program established under section 4(a)(1).
(5) Technological abuse.--The term ``technological abuse''
has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a)(40) of the
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(40)).
SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM TO COMBAT TECHNOLOGICAL ABUSE.
(a) Pilot Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--The Director, in accordance with paragraph
(2), shall establish a pilot program under which the Director
may award grants to eligible consortia to combat technological
abuse.
(2) Consultation.--In preparing to establish the pilot
program--
(A) the Director shall consult with--
(i) the Secretary of Health and Human
Services;
(ii) the Secretary of Education; and
(iii) the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission; and
(B) the Director and the officers described in
subparagraph (A) shall consult with relevant
stakeholders, including--
(i) groups that work on reducing
technological abuse; and
(ii) population specific and culturally
specific victim service providers.
(3) Application.--An eligible consortium desiring a grant
under this section shall submit to the Director an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by
such information, as the Director may reasonably require.
(4) Grant limits.--
(A) Award amount.--A grant awarded under the pilot
program shall be in an amount that is not more than
$2,000,000.
(B) Number of recipients.--Not more than 15 grants
may be awarded under the pilot program.
(5) Duration of pilot program.--The pilot program shall
terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the
first award under the pilot program.
(b) Use of Grant Funds.--A recipient of a grant under this section
may use the amounts received under the grant to combat technological
abuse, including for--
(1) the purchase of new technological devices for victims
and survivors of technological abuse; and
(2) any other use, including the provision of victim
services, that will reduce technological abuse or assist
victims and survivors of technological abuse.
(c) Pilot Program Review.--
(1) During pilot program.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of the first award under the pilot program, the Director
shall submit to each committee of Congress with jurisdiction of
the activities carried out under the pilot program a report--
(A) reviewing the efficacy of the pilot program;
(B) indicating challenges to implementation and
possible solutions; and
(C) including a recommendation relating to whether
the pilot program should be turned into a permanent
program.
(2) After pilot program termination.--Not later than 1 year
after the date on which the pilot program terminates under
subsection (a)(5), the Director shall submit to each committee
of Congress with jurisdiction of the activities carried out
under the pilot program a report reviewing the efficacy of the
pilot program, including best practices and improvements needed
to combat technological abuse.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EDUCATION ON TECHNOLOGICAL ABUSE.
(a) Grant Program Authorized.--The Director in consultation with
the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall establish a program under which the Director may award
grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education
to develop and implement training and educational programs and
technical assistance for organizations and individuals who provide
support for victims of technological abuse.
(b) Multiple Grants.--A recipient of a grant under section 4 is not
barred from receiving a grant under this section.
(c) Use of Grant Funds.--A nonprofit organization or institution of
higher education shall use the amounts received under a grant under
this section to develop tools, curricula, and other materials.
(d) Grant Program Limits.--
(1) Maximum amount.--The Director may award a total of not
more than $20,000,000 in grants under this section.
(2) Period of grants.--The Director shall award grants
under this section for a period of 5 years.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
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