H.R. 7494House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Lethality Assessment Training and Technical Assistance Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated May 14, 2026 at 3:30 AM UTC

The Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Lethality Assessment Training and Technical Assistance Act would let the Attorney General award grants to nonprofit or tribal groups to create a national center that trains and assists states, local governments, and Indian tribes in using lethality assessment programs. These programs aim to identify domestic‑violence victims at high risk of being killed and connect them quickly with services, helping first responders intervene more effectively. The goal is to lower the number of homicides linked to domestic violence.

Key Provisions

The Attorney General may award grants to one or more nonprofit or tribal organizations to set up a national training and technical assistance center for lethality assessment programs.
Applicants must show national experience in developing, implementing, evaluating, and sharing such programs to be eligible for a grant.
The law authorizes up to $5 million in funding each fiscal year starting in FY 2026, available until spent.
A “lethality assessment program” is defined as one that quickly links victims to community services, helps first responders identify high‑risk domestic‑violence situations, and uses validated, evidence‑based tools to pinpoint victims at serious risk of injury or death.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 11, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 11, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

February 11, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 11, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7494

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 11, 2026

Ms. Elfreth (for herself, Mr. Evans of Colorado, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mrs. McClain Delaney, Ms. Norton, Ms. Salinas, and Mr. Schmidt) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to establish a national training and technical assistance center to provide for the ongoing promotion and adoption of lethality assessment programs to reduce domestic violence-related homicides, and for other purposes.

Short title

The Act may be cited as the Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Lethality Assessment Training and Technical Assistance Act.

National lethality assessment program resource center grant

(a)

In general

The Attorney General may make an award to one or more nonprofit or tribal organizations to establish a national training and technical assistance center to promote and support the adoption of lethality assessment programs by States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes.

(b)

Qualifications

To be eligible for a grant under this section, an applicant shall demonstrate national experience in developing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating a lethality assessment program for the purpose of reducing domestic violence-related homicides.

(c)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended.

(d)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term lethality assessment program means a program that—

(A)

rapidly connects a victim of domestic violence to local community-based victim service providers;

(B)

helps first responders, such as law enforcement agencies, identify and respond to domestic violence situations that may result in death; and

(C)

identifies victims of domestic violence who are at high risk of being seriously injured or killed by an intimate partner through evidence-based tools that are validated for the community.

(2)

The terms have the meanings given such terms in section 40002 of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291).