Representatives Blake Moore, Ann Wagner, Burgess Owens, and Jared Moskowitz introduced the bipartisan GRACIE Act on Apr. 23 to support state efforts requiring digital recordings of all Child Protective Services (CPS) interviews. The legislation aims to help states that voluntarily choose to record official child protective service interviews by providing financial support.
The bill is intended to improve accountability and transparency in child protection investigations. According to Moore, “In Utah, the Division of Child and Family Services, Children’s Justice Centers, and law enforcement work tirelessly to keep families safe and prosecute those who abuse or neglect children. They need every tool available to them to support and stand up for children when they need it most.” He added that he is proud “to introduce the GRACIE Act with Rep. Wagner to financially support states that voluntarily choose to record official child protective service interviews.”
Wagner said, “Child Protective Services is a critical tool to shield children from abuse… The GRACIE Act would help ensure these initial interviews with investigators are appropriately retained so our justice system has the right evidence.” Moskowitz also said, “When a child speaks up about abuse, we cannot afford to lose that evidence. The GRACIE Act helps make sure those early interviews are preserved so the people who hurt children can be prosecuted.” Street Grace CEO Bob Rodgers stated: “Every child deserves to have their voice heard, protected, and preserved… This legislation is a commonsense, overdue reform that brings accountability and transparency… The GRACIE Act will address the foster care-to-trafficking pipeline that has devastated far too many young lives.” Ashlie Bryant of 3Strands Global Foundation said: “By ensuring that child welfare interviews are recorded, this legislation helps protect the integrity of investigations… We are grateful … for their leadership in advancing common-sense protections that prioritize both child safety and system accountability.”
An estimated 37.4% of children in the United States are interviewed by CPS before age 18; about 60% of all child sex trafficking victims have been involved in foster care according to data cited by federal agencies. CPS serves as a gatekeeper for foster care entry but interview protocols remain outdated nationwide—often conducted spontaneously at school or home without witnesses or recordings.
Blake Moore currently serves in Congress representing Utah’s 1st district after replacing Rob Bishop in 2021 according to his official biography. Moore was born in Ogden in 1980; he now lives in Salt Lake City as reported by congressional records. He graduated from the University of Utah with a BA degree in 2005 according to his congressional biography.
The U.S. Department of Justice as well as most state police departments already require recording interrogations or use body cameras during such procedures.
