H.R. 10470 – Reading Mode

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10470

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.