H.R. 8757, Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026 (Pending, 119th Congress)

This bill is not law. It is pending and has not passed.

The short answer

H.R. 8757, the Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act of 2026, is a bill in the 119th Congress H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. It was introduced May 12, 2026 Congress.gov bill status for H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), and its latest action is referral to the House Committees on Ways and Means and on Education and Workforce Congress.gov bill status for H.R. 8757 (119th Congress). If it became law, it would change the federal CAPTA definition so that letting a child do certain things alone is not, by itself, child abuse or neglect H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

What it would change

A new federal term. "Reasonable childhood independence activities" would mean things a child does alone or with other children, without direct supervision by an adult or older child H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. The parent or caregiver must reasonably believe the activity is physically and developmentally appropriate for the child H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. The bill lists examples, including:

• playing indoors or outdoors, and taking public transportation H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House;
• walking or biking to school or to nearby stores or parks H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House;
• staying home, or at another safe and reasonable place, for a reasonable time H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House;
• babysitting younger children H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House; and
• waiting in a vehicle for a reasonable time, in reasonable conditions, while a parent steps away H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

The CAPTA definition. The bill would add words to paragraph (2) of section 3 of CAPTA, after the phrase "presents an imminent risk of serious harm" H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. The added words say child abuse and neglect "does not include a decision by a parent or caretaker to allow a child to participate in reasonable childhood independence activities, unless such a decision was the result of an unreasonable disregard of a foreseeable risk of serious harm" H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

Conditions on CAPTA grants. The bill would add to CAPTA's eligibility requirements for state grants H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. A state would need assurances that parents may allow these activities without fear or threat of charges, investigations, mandated services, a child abuse registry listing, or accusations of abuse or neglect solely for allowing them H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. CPS staff would be trained that allowing these activities "is not cause to suspect child abuse or neglect" H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. Grant money could support risk and safety tools that account for the value of these activities to a child's development H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

Conditions on Title IV-B plans. State child welfare plans would have to describe policies, including training, "with the goal of preventing unnecessary and traumatic investigations of parents or the separation of a child" solely because of these activities H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. This would be added to both the Child Welfare Services plan and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families plan H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

A federal study. Within 180 days, HHS would study how states can best empower parents to allow these activities H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. Its report would review whether state risk assessment, investigation, or prosecution practices penalize, threaten, or deter those parents H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

Timing if enacted. The changes would take effect on the first day of the first federal fiscal year beginning on or after enactment H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.

How it relates to Texas

Texas law names DFPS as the state agency that cooperates with the federal government on CAPTA programs Tex. Hum. Res. Code §40.002. DFPS must cooperate "to the extent necessary to qualify for federal assistance in the delivery of services" Tex. Hum. Res. Code §40.002. If H.R. 8757 were enacted, its CAPTA changes would become grant eligibility requirements H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House. It is not law, so it changes nothing in Texas today.

Texas already addresses this in its own law. The Texas definition of neglect excludes "allowing the child to engage in independent activities that are appropriate and typical for the child's level of maturity, physical condition, developmental abilities, or culture" Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4). Texas neglect also requires "blatant disregard" for the consequences of an act or failure to act Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4). See CPS Investigation Findings in Texas: Reason to Believe, Ruled Out and More.

Which laws it affects

• It would amend section 3 and section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and sections 422, 431, and 432 of the Social Security Act H.R. 8757 (119th Congress), introduced in House.
• It would not amend any Texas statute. Related Texas law: Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4).

Related

• Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA, 1974): The Federal Law Behind Child Abuse Reporting
• H.R. 9994, Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act (Pending, 119th Congress)
• CPS Investigation Findings in Texas: Reason to Believe, Ruled Out and More
• The Texas CPS Investigation Process, Step by Step (Family Code §§261.301–261.302)
• Your Rights When Texas CPS Contacts You (Family Code §261.307)