S. 2348: Healing Partnerships for Survivors Act

The Healing Partnerships for Survivors Act is a proposed law that aims to support survivors of sexual assault by enhancing the connections between healthcare providers and community-based sexual assault programs. Here is a breakdown of the bill's key components:

Grants for Support Systems

The bill seeks to amend the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to various eligible entities. These entities could include:

• State, territorial, or tribal sexual assault coalitions.
• Nonprofit community-based sexual assault programs, such as rape crisis centers.
• Indian tribes or tribal organizations.

Purpose of the Grants

The grants would be used to develop and improve systems of support for sexual assault survivors through partnerships with:

• Health and wellness providers.
• Behavioral health programs.
• Disability programs.
• Other community-based sexual assault programs.

These partnerships aim to create services and policies that are trauma-informed and culturally relevant, addressing the needs of survivors throughout their lives.

Use of Funds

Grants can be used for activities such as:

• Providing services like prevention, screening, treatment, therapy, support groups, and case management.
• Supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse during healthcare or substance-use recovery treatments.
• Training staff working with survivors.
• Ensuring trauma-informed care and culturally specific health services.

Reporting and Accountability

Entities receiving grants will be required to report on:

• The activities funded by the grant.
• The impact and effectiveness of these activities.
• Any other relevant information as required.

Privacy Protection

The bill mandates that all programs developed must protect the privacy and confidentiality of survivors in accordance with applicable laws.

Technical Assistance and Training

A portion of the funding will also go towards providing technical assistance and training to entities receiving the grants. This is intended to ensure effective implementation of the programs and to disseminate best practices.

Funding Authorization

The legislation proposes to allocate $30 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to support the goals of the bill.

Definitions and Amendments

The bill revises related terms in current law to explicitly include sexual assault alongside other forms of violence, thereby broadening the scope of federal support.

Relevant Companies

None found.