H.R. 6998 · In committee · Crime and Law Enforcement

Renewed Hope Act

What it does

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to hire not fewer than 40 forensics analysts, 30 child exploitation investigators, and 130 additional forensics analysts and child exploitation investigators to support child sexual exploitation and abuse investigations at Homeland Security Investigations.
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary to contract with experts and consultants to provide image and audio forensic analysis related to victim identification at daily rates not exceeding the GS-15 equivalent, with services limited to one year or intermittent engagement.
Directs the Secretary to establish joint procedures with affected agencies to deconflict, coordinate, and synchronize child sexual exploitation investigations, and authorizes coordination with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Requires the Secretary to establish a Victim Identification Training Program in the Cyber Crimes Center to provide annual training on victim identification techniques to Homeland Security Investigations personnel, Federal and State law enforcement, civil service organizations, and the National Center for Missing.
Grants the head of Homeland Security Investigations direct hire authority to appoint qualified candidates to positions described in the bill without regard to competitive hiring requirements, provided at least 97 percent of such positions are not occupied.

Jan 13, 2026: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Committee: House Judiciary