Rep. Smucker introduces bill in U.S. House to strengthen reporting rules for Title X grant recipients

The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker in the U.S. House aims to enhance oversight and enforcement of child abuse and trafficking reporting requirements for Title X grant recipients, according to the U.S. Congress.

H.R.6972 was introduced on Jan. 7, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends title X of the Public Health Service Act to mandate that grant recipients comply with all applicable state and local laws concerning the reporting of child abuse, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. It requires these recipients to implement policies for timely training on compliance, maintain records of minor patients and any reports made under state notification laws, and ensure that minors receive counseling to resist coercive sexual advances. The bill mandates that the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services has the authority to review grantees’ records for compliance and enforce penalties for violations, including potential repayment of federal funds and a ban on future assistance for three years. The provisions take effect upon the bill’s enactment.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (Republican-PA-11th District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Bost (Republican-PA-12th District), Rep. Sheri Biggs (Republican-PA-3rd District), and Rep. Paul A. Gosar (Republican-PA-9th District), along with six other sponsors.

Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Smucker has introduced another 25 bills.

Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.

Lloyd K. Smucker is a Representative from Pennsylvania who has served in Congress since January 3, 2017. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 2009 to 2016 and has held various local government positions, including the West Lampeter planning commission and township board of supervisors.

Smucker attended Lebanon Valley College and Franklin & Marshall College from 1988 to 1991.

Information in this article was obtained from the U.S. Congress. The source data can be found here.