U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), and Blake Moore (R-UT-01) have introduced a bill that would require military child and youth programs to notify parents or guardians within 24 hours after learning of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect involving their children at military child development centers or similar programs.
The proposed Military Child and Youth Program Abuse and Neglect Notification Act aims to codify an existing Department of Defense policy that previously did not mandate parental notification in such cases. The legislation also expands current requirements by mandating that the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, as well as congressional representatives for the district where the incident occurred, be notified within 72 hours.
“No parent should ever be kept in the dark when it comes to the safety of their child. I’m glad to co-lead the Military Child and Youth Program Abuse and Neglect Notification Act with Rep. Tokuda, which requires programs to notify parents within 24 hours of any suspected abuse or neglect, no exceptions. Our bipartisan bill also requires notifying the Armed Services committees and the Members of Congress for the installation where the incident happened within 72 hours to provide real oversight and ensure these failures are never repeated,” said Rep. Bacon.
“Parents who entrust their keiki to a military child care center deserve one guarantee: if something happens, they will be told quickly, clearly, and without exception. No family should ever be kept in the dark when it comes to their child’s health, safety, and well-being,” said Rep. Tokuda. “As the mother of two boys, we must demand nothing less for our military families, and as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, we must ensure effective Congressional oversight and accountability across the military child care system, because no federal agency should be allowed to hide the truth.”
“As the congressional representative of Hill Air Force Base and father to four boys, it is an honor to serve our military community and their families. I’m proud to co-lead legislation that would require the DOD to immediately brief parents over suspected abuse or neglect of minors at DOD childcare facilities and create additional congressional oversight mechanisms. We must do all we can to ensure safe and healthy environments for all children, including those under the DOD’s care,” said Rep. Moore.
The language from this act has been included in the House-passed Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act as a sign of bipartisan support for greater transparency regarding protection for military families.
Don Bacon has served in Congress representing Nebraska’s 2nd District since 2017 after replacing Brad Ashford (source). He was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963 and currently lives in Papillion.
The legislation is cosponsored by several other members of Congress from both parties.
