To direct the Attorney General to develop an evidence-based lethality assessment tool for use by law enforcement with respect to domestic violence and to develop a public awareness campaign with respect to resources for victims of domestic violence, and for other purposes.

Matt Van Epps

Republican · TN · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

2026-09-16

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-09-16. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10470 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10470 To direct the Attorney General to develop an evidence-based lethality assessment tool for use by law enforcement with respect to domestic violence and to develop a public awareness campaign with respect to resources for victims of domestic violence, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 16, 2026 Mr. Van Epps introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To direct the Attorney General to develop an evidence-based lethality assessment tool for use by law enforcement with respect to domestic violence and to develop a public awareness campaign with respect to resources for victims of domestic violence, and for other purposes. 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 ``Screening Harm, Identifying Escalating Lethality Danger for Victims Act of 2026'' or as the ``SHIELD for Victims Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds as follows: (1) As already recognized by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), intimate partner violence is a pervasive issue in the United States. And researchers at the NIJ found that the Lethality Assessment Program reduced the severity and frequency of violence survivors experienced. (2) The Lethality Assessment Program is a lethality screen for intimate partner violence victims recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice as a ``promising practice'' in intimate partner homicide prevention. (3) The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has an existing relationship with the Lethality Program Maryland Model and encourages DOJ to keeping this model in mind when developing its trainings. (4) Utah, Florida, Maryland, Kentucky, South Dakota, and Montana have existing language in state law regarding the lethality assessment program. Additionally, local communities, including the Metro Nashville Police Department, have successfully implemented their own Lethality Assessment Program. (5) It is important to include a primary aggressor training in the LAP training curriculum. SEC. 3. EVIDENCE-BASED LETHALITY ASSESSMENT TOOL. (a) Development and Publication.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall develop and make publicly available an evidence-based lethality assessment tool for use by law enforcement officers in identifying victims of domestic violence, assessing the risk of serious injury or death with respect to such victims, and connecting such victims to appropriate resources. (2) Requirements.--In developing the evidence-based lethality assessment tool under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall-- (A) consult with relevant experts and consider applicable best practices; and (B) establish a model questionnaire to be implemented as part of such tool. (b) Training Responsibilities of Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers.-- (1) In general.--Section 884(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 464(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(13) Evidence-based lethality assessment tool training required.-- ``(A) In general.--The Director shall provide to each covered Federal law enforcement officer-- ``(i) a training with respect to the evidence-based lethality assessment tool developed under section 2 of the SHIELD for Victims Act of 2026; and ``(ii) a refresher training with respect to such tool to be completed by such officer at least once every 3 years after the date on which such officer completes the training described in clause (i). ``(B) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term `covered Federal law enforcement officer' means a Federal law enforcement officer (as such term is defined in…

section 2 of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008 (34 U.S.C. 50301)) if the duties of such officer-- ``(i) are primarily related to collection of evidence, interdiction and seizure of contraband, surveillance, execution of search warrants, analysis of information, arrest of suspects, development of cases for prosecutions, or any other investigation and enforcement duties pertaining to Federal laws and regulations; or ``(ii) are primarily related to preventive patrol, responding to complaints and reports of illegal activities, arresting violators, traffic control, crowd control, handling of emergencies, or other traditional law enforcement responsibilities.''. (2) Public availability.--The Attorney General shall make publicly available the curriculum and materials related to the training developed under paragraph (13) of section 884(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 464(d)), as added by paragraph (1). SEC. 4. REPORT. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report setting forth a plan to ensure Federal law enforcement officers are connected to local domestic violence response resources as necessary when properly conducting the Lethality Assessment Program. <all>

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