H.R. 6685House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

POWER Act

Introduced May 1, 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC

The POWER Act would let the Department of Health and Human Services waive the required non‑federal (matching) contributions for certain Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) grants and subgrants. It applies to states that ask for the waiver and to any FVPSA grant made during the COVID‑19 public‑health emergency.

Key Provisions

  • If a state requests it, HHS will waive the matching‑fund requirement and related reporting for FVPSA formula grants and subgrants awarded in fiscal years 2019 and 2020.
  • For any FVPSA grant or subgrant awarded after the law’s enactment, the matching‑fund rule will not apply during a public‑health emergency declared under the Public Health Service Act because of COVID‑19.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

May 1, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 1, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

May 1, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 1, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6685

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 1, 2020

Mrs. McBath (for herself and Mr. Cline) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To provide for a matching funds waiver for formula grants and subgrants under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protect Our Women and Waive Emergency Requirements Act or the POWER Act.

2.

Matching funds waiver for formula grants and subgrants under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act

(a)

Waiver of matching funds for awarded grants and subgrants

At the request of a State (as defined in section 302 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10402)), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall waive—

(1)

the non-Federal contributions requirement under subsection (c)(4) of section 306 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10406) with respect to the grants and subgrants awarded in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 to such State and the eligible entities within such State under such section or section 308 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 10408); and

(2)

the reporting requirements required under such subgrants and grants that relate to such non-Federal contributions requirement.

(b)

Waiver of matching funds for grants awarded after date of enactment

(1)

In general

Subsection (c)(4) of section 306 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10406) shall not apply to a qualified grant during the period of a public health emergency declared pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

(2)

Qualified grant defined

In this subsection, the term qualified grant means a grant or subgrant awarded—

(A)

after the date of the enactment of this section; and

(B)

under section 306, 308, or 309 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10406; 10408; 10409).