Protect Black Women and Girls Act

The Protect Black Women and Girls Act would create an Interagency Task Force on Black Women and Girls to study and improve conditions across several life domains—education, economic development, healthcare, labor and employment, housing, and justice/civil rights. The Task Force would pull together federal agencies and community-based organizations to assess existing policies and programs, promote community-based approaches to prevent harm and boost accountability, and make policy recommendations to federal, state, and local governments. In addition, the bill tasks the U.S. Civil Rights Commission (USCCR) with ongoing data collection and reporting on issues affecting Black women and girls, with findings shared with Congress, the President, and the public. The overall aim is to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for Black women and girls, including those who are Black transgender women and girls in certain sections. The bill sets up a formal, multi-year process: the Task Force would be established within 180 days of enactment, consist of appointed federal officials and representatives from a defender organization and community groups, and operate with 4-year terms. It would issue annual reports and, within 2 years, deliver comprehensive recommendations on policies and incentives to improve outcomes. The USCCR duties include annually studying and reporting on a broad set of issues—from wage gaps and maternal/infant mortality to school discipline, housing stability, violence, and mass incarceration—along with information-sharing requirements among federal agencies.