Text of US HB 9287 (2026)

I 119TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 9287 To establish an independent Children’s Commission and position of Commissioner, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 11, 2026 Mr. MCGARVEY (for himself, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. GOMEZ, Ms. JACOBS, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania, Ms. NORTON, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, and Ms. BONAMICI) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce A BILL To establish an independent Children’s Commission and position of Commissioner, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Child Safety and Well- 4 Being Act of 2026’’. 5 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 6 In this Act: 7 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 9287 IH (1) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘agency’’ has the 1 meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, 2 United States Code. 3 (2) CHILD.—The term ‘‘child’’ means an indi- 4 vidual from birth up to an age of 18 years. 5 (3) CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER.—The term 6 ‘‘Children’s Commissioner’’ means the individual em- 7 ployed under section 3(e). 8 (4) CHILD IMPACT STATEMENT.—The term 9 ‘‘child impact statement’’ means an analysis and as- 10 sessment of the direct and indirect outcomes that a 11 change in laws, policy, regulations, or Federal ap- 12 propriations will have on children. 13 (5) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 14 means the Children’s Commission established by sec- 15 tion 3(a). 16 (6) COMPTROLLER GENERAL.—The term 17 ‘‘Comptroller General’’ means the Comptroller Gen- 18 eral of the United States. 19 (7) MARGINALIZED YOUTH.—The term 20 ‘‘marginalized youth’’ means individuals who— 21 (A) are not less than 13 years of age; and 22 (B) experience systemic barriers in the 23 transition from adolescence to adulthood, in- 24 cluding— 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HR 9287 IH (i) children who have experienced dis- 1 crimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, 2 religion, disability status, sex (including 3 sexual orientation and gender identity), or 4 socioeconomic status; 5 (ii) current or former foster youth; 6 (iii) youth in the juvenile justice sys- 7 tem, residential treatment, or other sys- 8 tems of care; 9 (iv) homeless and runaway youth; 10 (v) children with disabilities; 11 (vi) victims of child exploitation and 12 child trafficking; 13 (vii) youth in troubled teen institu- 14 tional settings; and 15 (viii) other youth identified by the 16 Children’s Commissioner. 17 SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 18 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Chil- 19 dren’s Commission. 20 (b) MEMBERSHIP.— 21 (1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Com- 22 mission shall be composed of 15 members appointed 23 by the Comptroller General, in consultation with the 24 Board on Children, Youth, and Families at the Na- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 4 •HR 9287 IH tional Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Med- 1 icine. 2 (2) QUALIFICATIONS.— 3 (A) IN GENERAL.—The membership of the 4 Commission shall include— 5 (i) individuals with national recogni- 6 tion for their scholarship and expertise in 7 issues of importance to children and 8 marginalized youth; 9 (ii) individuals who work for nonprofit 10 organizations that advocate for children, 11 including organizations that protect chil- 12 dren’s civil rights; 13 (iii) individuals who work with 14 marginalized youth; 15 (iv) pediatricians, child psychologists, 16 developmental psychologists, and childhood 17 trauma experts; 18 (v) educators; 19 (vi) other experts who serve children 20 or administer State, Tribal, or local chil- 21 dren’s programs; 22 (vii) childcare providers; and 23 (viii) young people with relevant lived 24 experiences. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 5 •HR 9287 IH (B) VARIED BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERI- 1 ENCES.—The membership of the Commission 2 shall include— 3 (i) a mix of different professions, 4 broad geographic representation, a balance 5 between urban and rural representation, 6 and a mix of different racial and ethnic 7 representatives, to reflect the demographic 8 makeup of children and youth of the 9 United States; and 10 (ii) individuals and service providers 11 with specific expertise or significant experi- 12 ence in delivering culturally appropriate, 13 trauma-informed, and responsive services 14 for children and youth. 15 (C) MAJORITY NONPROVIDERS.—The 16 Comptroller General shall ensure individuals 17 who are directly involved in the provision or 18 management of the delivery of services to chil- 19 dren shall not constitute a majority of the 20 membership of the Commission. 21 (D) ETHICAL DISCLOSURE.— 22 (i) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller 23 General shall establish a system for public 24 disclosure by members of the Commission 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 6 •HR 9287 IH of financial and other potential conflicts of 1 interest related to those members. 2 (ii) FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REQUIRE- 3 MENTS.—A member of the Commission 4 shall be deemed to be an individual de- 5 scribed in section 13103(f) of title 5, 6 United States Code, and shall be subject to 7 the requirements of subchapter I of chap- 8 ter 131 of such title. 9 (E) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 10 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 11 the Comptroller General shall establish a proc- 12 ess for recommending qualified and interested 13 individuals for the Commission in order to set 14 up an ongoing pool of qualified individuals for 15 nomination to the Commission. 16 (3) DATE OF APPOINTMENT.—The Comptroller 17 General shall appoint members of the Commission 18 not later than 120 days after the date of enactment 19 of this Act and immediately notify the Committee of 20 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Sen- 21 ate and the Committee of Education and the Work- 22 force of the House of Representatives of the appoint- 23 ments. 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 7 •HR 9287 IH (4) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The Commission 1 shall designate by majority vote a Chair and Vice 2 Chair from among the members of the Commission, 3 each of whom shall serve in such positions of Chair 4 and Vice Chair for a period of 1 year. 5 (c) TERMS; VACANCIES.— 6 (1) TERMS.—The terms of the members of the 7 Commission shall be 3 years, except that the Comp- 8 troller General shall designate staggered terms for 9 the members first appointed. 10 (2) VACANCIES.— 11 (A) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the Com- 12 mission shall be filled in the manner in which 13 the original appointment was made, as de- 14 scribed in subsection (b), and shall be subject 15 to any conditions that applied with respect to 16 the original appointment. 17 (B) FILLING UNEXPIRED TERM.—An indi- 18 vidual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be ap- 19 pointed for the unexpired term of the member 20 replaced, including an individual chosen to fill a 21 vacancy in the position of Chair or Vice Chair. 22 (d) MEETINGS.— 23 (1) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 60 days 24 after the date on which all members of the Commis- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 8 •HR 9287 IH sion have been appointed, the Commission shall hold 1 the first meeting of the Commission. 2 (2) FREQUENCY.—The Commission shall meet 3 at the call of the Children’s Commissioner not less 4 frequently than 4 times per year, with not fewer 5 than 1 meeting focusing on children’s voices. 6 (3) CHILDREN’S PERSPECTIVES.—The Commis- 7 sion should seek to incorporate children’s perspec- 8 tives in each meeting of the Commission. 9 (4) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of 10 the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 11 lesser number of members may hold hearings. 12 (e) CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER.— 13 (1) IN GENERAL.— 14 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 15 employ and fix the compensation of a Children’s 16 Commissioner, who shall serve as executive di- 17 rector of the Commission, without regard to the 18 provisions of title 5, United States Code, gov- 19 erning appointments in the competitive service. 20 (B) RESTRICTIONS ON EMPLOYMENT.—An 21 individual may only be employed as the Chil- 22 dren’s Commissioner if the individual— 23 (i) was not employed by, and did not 24 receive compensation from, a for-profit en- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 9 •HR 9287 IH tity during the 2-year period preceding the 1 appointment; and 2 (ii) is an individual described in any 3 of clauses (i) through (viii) of subsection 4 (b)(2)(A). 5 (C) DUTIES.—The Children’s Commis- 6 sioner shall carry out the following duties: 7 (i) Solicit applications to fill a vacancy 8 or prospective vacancy in the membership 9 of the Commission with sufficient time for 10 qualified individuals to apply. 11 (ii) Consult with organizations that 12 have a special interest in the functions of 13 the Commission. 14 (D) ETHICAL DISCLOSURE.— 15 (i) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller 16 General shall establish a system for public 17 disclosure by the Children’s Commissioner 18 of financial and other potential conflicts of 19 interest related to the Children’s Commis- 20 sioner. 21 (ii) FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REQUIRE- 22 MENTS.—The Children’s Commissioner 23 shall be deemed to be an individual de- 24 scribed in section 13103(f) of title 5, 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 10 •HR 9287 IH United States Code, and shall be subject to 1 the requirements of subchapter I of chap- 2 ter 131 of such title. 3 (2) TERM.— 4 (A) IN GENERAL.—The term of the Chil- 5 dren’s Commissioner shall be 5 years, beginning 6 on the date on which the Commission employs 7 the Children’s Commissioner. 8 (B) SUBSEQUENT TERMS.—Each subse- 9 quent term of a Children’s Commissioner shall 10 begin on the day after the date on which the 11 previous term expires or the date on which the 12 Commission employs the Commissioner, which- 13 ever is later. 14 (C) LIMITATION.—An individual may not 15 serve more than 2 terms as the Children’s Com- 16 missioner. 17 (3) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—Subject to 18 such review as the Comptroller General determines 19 necessary to ensure the efficient administration of 20 the Commission, the Children’s Commissioner 21 may— 22 (A) seek such assistance and support as 23 may be required in the performance of its du- 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 11 •HR 9287 IH ties from appropriate Federal and State depart- 1 ments and agencies; 2 (B) enter into contracts or make other ar- 3 rangements, as may be necessary for the con- 4 duct of the work of the Commission, without re- 5 gard to section 6101 of title 41, United States 6 Code; 7 (C) make advance, progress, and other 8 payments which relate to the work of the Com- 9 mission; 10 (D) provide transportation and subsistence 11 for persons serving without compensation; 12 (E) prescribe such rules and regulations as 13 the Children’s Commissioner determines nec- 14 essary with respect to the internal organization 15 and operation of the Commission; 16 (F) reach out directly to children and child 17 advocates to understand their concerns and 18 needs; and 19 (G) speak out on matters of importance to 20 children and marginalized youth and help facili- 21 tate their voice in policy discussions at the Fed- 22 eral and State levels involving their concerns, 23 needs, and future. 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 12 •HR 9287 IH SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 1 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 2 (1) promote awareness of the views and inter- 3 ests of children and marginalized youth in the 4 United States; 5 (2) receive and review complaints against agen- 6 cies relating to how the agencies are serving chil- 7 dren, and serve as a central location for the receipt 8 of any complaint, criticism, or suggestion concerning 9 the policies and activities of governmental entities or 10 other institutions or agencies that affect child well- 11 being; 12 (3) incorporate varied backgrounds and experi- 13 ences of children in the United States and work to 14 include perspectives and analysis for children across 15 racial, ethnic, religious, sex, and geographic bound- 16 aries and socioeconomic, immigration, and disability 17 statuses in the work of the Commission; 18 (4) advocate for child well-being in the United 19 States and consider child well-being in Federal legis- 20 lation, regulatory actions, and policy; 21 (5) examine the way Federal legislation, regu- 22 latory actions, and policy affect marginalized youth 23 and how children and marginalized youth transition 24 into adulthood; 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 13 •HR 9287 IH (6) advise Congress, agencies, and States on 1 the views and interests of children and marginalized 2 youth on policies impacting child well-being; 3 (7) develop proposals for changes in the policies 4 and activities of agencies that will better ensure the 5 well-being of all children; 6 (8) research or consider any other matter relat- 7 ing to the interests of children and marginalized 8 youth; 9 (9) publish reports on matters researched or 10 considered under this section; 11 (10) monitor the development and application 12 of Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, orders, 13 and guidance affecting children; 14 (11) represent the views and interests of chil- 15 dren, including marginalized youth, before Congress 16 and agencies whose regulatory actions and policies 17 and activities may impact children; 18 (12) enlist the cooperation and assistance of 19 Federal, State, or public agencies, businesses, and 20 other organizations in disseminating information in 21 an accessible format about the programs and serv- 22 ices provided by the Federal Government that ben- 23 efit children; 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 14 •HR 9287 IH (13) encourage agencies and policymakers en- 1 gaged in activities affecting children to take account 2 of the views and interests of children; 3 (14) promote greater civic participation in 4 United States by children and marginalized youth 5 and empower those voices in public policy; 6 (15) recommend specific measures for creating 7 an environment in which all children will have the 8 opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential 9 and to ascertain the common reasons, if any, that 10 prevent children from thriving; 11 (16) coordinate and share information and data 12 with commissioners and ombudsmen for children in 13 State and local governments that is disaggregated, if 14 at all possible, along racial, ethnic, sex, disability, 15 and socioeconomic status; 16 (17) examine international issues impacting 17 children domestically and abroad and collaborate, 18 and if appropriate coordinate, with children’s com- 19 missioners in other countries; and 20 (18) make such other recommendations as may 21 be appropriate to assist the development and 22 strengthening of child well-being. 23 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 15 •HR 9287 IH (b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the duties 1 under this section, the Commission shall consider the 2 views and interests of children relating to— 3 (1) the physical and mental health and emo- 4 tional well-being of children; 5 (2) prevention and treatment from or due to 6 child abuse and neglect; 7 (3) early childhood, K–12 education, higher 8 education, and workforce development; 9 (4) the social and economic well-being of chil- 10 dren; 11 (5) the ways social determinants and other in- 12 equities impact the health and well-being of children; 13 and 14 (6) the contribution made by children to soci- 15 ety. 16 (c) COMMENTS ON AGENCY REPORTS.—If an agency 17 submits to Congress or a committee of Congress a report 18 that is required by law and relates to child well-being— 19 (1) the agency shall transmit a copy of the re- 20 port to the Commission; and 21 (2) the Commission may submit to the appro- 22 priate committees of Congress and the agency writ- 23 ten comments on the report, which may include such 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 16 •HR 9287 IH recommendations as the Commission determines ap- 1 propriate. 2 (d) REVIEW OF REGULATIONS.—The Commission 3 shall review Federal regulations, orders, guidance, or other 4 directives and may provide written comment to appro- 5 priate committees of Congress and the appropriate agen- 6 cies on any such matter that impacts child well-being. 7 (e) PUBLICLY AVAILABLE.—The Commission shall 8 make any reports issued by the Commission publicly avail- 9 able on the website of the Commission so that children, 10 parents, providers, policymakers, and the general public 11 have access to the findings of the Commission. 12 (f) ACCESSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN.—If the Commis- 13 sion publishes a report or makes a comment or rec- 14 ommendation under this section, the Commission shall, if 15 and to the extent the Commission considers appropriate, 16 publish an alternative version using language that is ap- 17 propriate for children. 18 (g) STUDY ON CHILD IMPACT STATEMENTS.—Not 19 later than 180 days after all members of the Commission 20 are appointed, the Commission shall conduct a study and 21 report to Congress on the feasibility for agencies to create 22 child impact statements. 23 (h) REPORT ON RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Commis- 24 sion shall review the recommendations from the National 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 17 •HR 9287 IH Bipartisan Commission on Children, the National Com- 1 mission on Children and Disasters, the Commission to 2 Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, the Com- 3 mission on Native Children, and other relevant congres- 4 sionally authorized commissions and annually report to 5 Congress on the status of those recommendations. 6 (i) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the duties 7 under this section, the Commission shall consult with, as 8 appropriate— 9 (1) children representative of racial and eth- 10 nically diverse backgrounds and different back- 11 grounds based on sex (including sexual orientation 12 and gender identity), disability, immigration, and so- 13 cioeconomic status, including marginalized youth; 14 (2) the committees of Congress that have juris- 15 diction over children’s issues; 16 (3) agencies working on issues impacting child 17 well-being; 18 (4) States (including the District of Columbia 19 and any territory or possession of the United 20 States), and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations 21 (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter- 22 mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 23 5304)); 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 18 •HR 9287 IH (5) nonprofit organizations advocating for and 1 providing services to children; 2 (6) international organizations and agencies 3 working on issues related to child well-being; 4 (7) civil rights and disability rights organiza- 5 tions that work on children’s issues; 6 (8) schools and childcare centers; and 7 (9) such other organizations, agencies, or per- 8 sons as the Commission considers appropriate. 9 SEC. 5. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 10 (a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such 11 hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 12 testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 13 considers advisable to carry out this Act. 14 (b) INFORMATION FROM AGENCIES.— 15 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may secure 16 directly from a Federal department or agency such 17 information as the Commission considers necessary 18 to carry out this Act. 19 (2) FURNISHING INFORMATION.—On request of 20 the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the 21 department or agency shall furnish the information 22 to the Commission. 23 (c) DATA COLLECTION.—In order to carry out its du- 24 ties and functions, the Commission shall— 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 19 •HR 9287 IH (1) utilize existing information, both published 1 and unpublished, where possible, collected and as- 2 sessed either by its own staff or under other ar- 3 rangements made in accordance with this Act; 4 (2) carry out, or award grants or contracts for, 5 original research, where existing information is inad- 6 equate; and 7 (3) adopt procedures allowing any interested 8 party to submit information for use by the Commis- 9 sion in making reports and recommendations. 10 (d) ACCESS OF GAO TO INFORMATION.—The Comp- 11 troller General shall have unrestricted access to all delib- 12 erations, records, and nonproprietary data of the Commis- 13 sion, upon request. 14 (e) PERIODIC AUDIT.—The Commission shall be sub- 15 ject to periodic audit by the Comptroller General. 16 (f) AMICUS CURIAE.— 17 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Children’s Commis- 18 sioner may appear as amicus curiae in any action 19 brought in a court of the United States to review an 20 agency rule or guidance to present the views of the 21 Commission on the effect of the rule or guidance on 22 children. 23 (2) GRANTING APPEARANCE.—A court of the 24 United States shall grant the application of the Chil- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 20 •HR 9287 IH dren’s Commissioner to appear in any such action 1 for the purpose described in paragraph (1). 2 (g) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 3 the United States mails in the same manner and under 4 the same conditions as other departments and agencies of 5 the Federal Government. 6 (h) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and 7 dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. 8 SEC. 6. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. 9 (a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—A member of the 10 Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Fed- 11 eral Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to 12 the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay pre- 13 scribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under sec- 14 tion 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (in- 15 cluding travel time) during which the member is engaged 16 in the performance of the duties of the Commission. 17 (b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Commis- 18 sion shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 19 in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees 20 of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 21 United States Code, while away from their homes or reg- 22 ular places of business in the performance of services for 23 the Commission. 24 (c) STAFF.— 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 21 •HR 9287 IH (1) IN GENERAL.—The Children’s Commis- 1 sioner may, without regard to the provisions of title 2 5, United States Code, governing appointments in 3 the competitive service, appoint and terminate such 4 other additional personnel as may be necessary to 5 enable the Commission to perform its duties. 6 (2) DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH OUT- 7 REACH AND ENGAGEMENT.—The Children’s Com- 8 missioner shall without regard to the provisions of 9 title 5, United States Code, governing appointments 10 in the competitive service, appoint a Director of 11 Children and Youth Outreach and Engagement to 12 help coordinate with, provide technical support to, 13 and work with staff of the Commission to regularly 14 incorporate the voices of children and youth in car- 15 rying out the duties and consultation directives of 16 the Commission. 17 (3) COMPENSATION.—The Children’s Commis- 18 sioner may fix the compensation of personnel ap- 19 pointed under this subsection without regard to 20 chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 21 5, United States Code, relating to classification of 22 positions and General Schedule pay rates, except 23 that the rate of pay for any such individual may not 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 22 •HR 9287 IH exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 1 Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 2 (d) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—A Fed- 3 eral Government employee may be detailed to the Commis- 4 sion without reimbursement, and such detail shall be with- 5 out interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. 6 (e) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT- 7 TENT SERVICES.—The Children’s Commissioner may pro- 8 cure temporary and intermittent services under section 9 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individ- 10 uals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual 11 rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive 12 Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 13 SEC. 7. DURATION OF COMMISSION. 14 Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, shall not 15 apply to the Commission. 16 SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 17 (a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro- 18 priated to the Commission to carry out this Act 19 $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2034. 20 (b) AVAILABILITY.—Any sums appropriated pursu- 21 ant to this section shall remain available, without fiscal 22 year limitation, until expended. 23 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Jun 13, 2026 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H9287.IH H9287 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB