Committee awards $3 million one-time for child advocacy centers as federal funds decline

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted to add a one-time $3,000,000 general fund appropriation to the Domestic Violence Council to support child advocacy centers that provide forensic interviews, counseling and legal aid to underage victims of crime.

Analyst Alex Williamson told the committee the centers typically rely on VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding, which has declined in recent years. Senator Cook described the services and impact, saying the centers provide a child-friendly setting with trained forensic interviewers and that "you are more likely to prosecute 40 percent of these cases" when CACs are involved; he also cited higher conviction and longer-average-sentence outcomes when CACs participate in investigations and prosecutions.

Why it matters: Committee members said the number and severity of child-abuse cases have increased and the centers reduce retraumatization by avoiding repeated interviews in formal settings. Senator Cook said the centers improve prosecution outcomes; he told the committee that some jurisdictions using CACs have seen large increases in successful prosecutions and higher conviction rates when CACs are involved.

Committee action and vote: Representative Furness moved the one-time $3,000,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026. The motion passed with a combined tally of 18 ayes, 1 nay and 1 absent and excused (Senate 8-1-1; House 10-0). The committee adopted related language and included the appropriation as a trailer item not tied to an enhancement bill.

Discussion highlights: Members described facility operations and the role CACs play in investigations. Representative Furness and Senator Cook detailed practitioner experience and local examples, noting improved prosecution and support services when CACs are available.

Next steps: The motion carries a due-pass recommendation to the floor. The appropriation is one-time funding to supplement declining federal grants and support services to child-victims of abuse.

Clarifying details: {"category":"one_time_appropriation","detail":"Domestic Violence Council appropriation to support child advocacy centers","value":3000000,"units":"USD","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Representative Furness"}

Ending: The committee provided a one-time infusion of state funds to shore up child advocacy services while federal funding streams fluctuate.