S. 2119: Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act

This bill, titled the Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act, aims to support Ukraine in dealing with the issue of Ukrainian children that have been forcibly taken by the Russian Federation. The key components of the bill include several findings, support for investigations, rehabilitation services, and accountability measures. Below are the main elements of the proposed legislation:

Findings

The bill states that:

• The United States has made commitments to help with the recovery of abducted children as part of a broader agreement with Ukraine.
• There is a need for a structured approach to support Ukraine in various areas, including:
• Investigating the abduction cases.
• Providing rehabilitation and reintegration services for recovered children.
• Ensuring justice against those responsible for these abductions.

Investigation Support

The bill authorizes various U.S. government agencies, including the Departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security, to assist Ukraine by:

• Providing technical training and advisory support.
• Utilizing advanced technologies to assist in investigations.
• Coordinating efforts with non-governmental organizations.

The National Security Council is also mandated to organize inter-agency meetings to ensure coherent support.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration

The bill permits the provision of various support services for Ukrainian children who have been abducted, which includes:

• Medical and psychological rehabilitation.
• Family support.
• Assistance with legal and educational needs for reintegration into society.

Justice and Accountability

The bill proposes to support Ukraine’s accountability processes through:

• Providing assistance to the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group in Ukraine to help with investigations and prosecutions related to abducted children and other war crimes.
• Submitting reports to Congress detailing ongoing support for prosecuting those responsible for these crimes.
• Aligning U.S. sanctions with those of international partners regarding individuals responsible for these abductions.

Use of Seized Russian Sovereign Assets

The bill allows the President to use Russian assets that are currently held in the United States to fund the initiatives described in this legislation, in conjunction with an existing law aimed at supporting Ukrainian economic prosperity.

Relevant Companies

None found.