Library / Laws / 113th / s / S. 1870 / Placed on Calendar (Senate)
II
Calendar No. 279
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1870
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 19, 2013Mr. Baucus, from the Committee on Finance, reported the following original bill; which was read twice and placed on the calendar
A BILL
To reauthorize and restructure adoption incentive payments, to better enable State child welfare agencies to prevent sex trafficking of children and serve the needs of children who are victims of sex trafficking, to increase the reliability of child support for children, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title; table of contents
(a)
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Supporting At-Risk Children Act.
(b)
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.TITLE I—Strengthening And Finding Families for ChildrenSec. 101. Short title of title.Subtitle A—Adoption Incentive PaymentsSec. 111. Extension of program through fiscal year 2016.Sec. 112. Improvements to award structure.Sec. 113. Renaming of program.Sec. 114. Limitations on use of incentive payments.Sec. 115. State report on calculation and use of savings resulting from the phase-out of eligibility requirements for adoption assistance; requirement to spend 40 percent of savings on certain services.Sec. 116. Preservation of eligibility for kinship guardianship assistance payments with a successor guardian.Sec. 117. Data collection on adoption and foster child guardianship disruption and dissolution.Sec. 118. Encouraging the placement of children in foster care with siblings.Sec. 119. Effective dates.Subtitle B—Extension of family connection grant programSec. 121. Extension of family connection grant program.Subtitle C—Unemployment compensationSec. 131. Improving the collection of unemployment insurance overpayments through tax refund offset.TITLE II—Identifying and serving youth vulnerable to sex trafficking Sec. 201. Short title of title.Subtitle A—Addressing the risks that make youth vulnerable to sex trafficking and other negative outcomesSec. 211. Identifying and screening youth at risk of sex trafficking.Sec. 212. Improvements to another planned permanent living arrangement as a permanency option.Subtitle B—Empowering older youth vulnerable to domestic sex trafficking and other negative outcomesSec. 221. Empowering foster youth age 14 and older in the development of their own case plan and transition planning for a successful adulthood.Sec. 222. Ensuring foster youth have a birth certificate, Social Security card, driver's license or equivalent State-issued identification card, and a bank account.Subtitle C—Data and ReportsSec. 231. Streamline data collection and reporting on sex trafficking.Sec. 232. Recommendations to Congress for expanding housing for youth victims of trafficking.Subtitle D—National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex TraffickingSec. 241. National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking.TITLE III—Child Support EnforcementSec. 301. Short title of title.Subtitle A—Increased Reliability of Child SupportSec. 311. Compliance with multilateral child support conventions.Sec. 312. Relief from passport sanctions for certain individuals.Sec. 313. Child support enforcement programs for Indian tribes.Sec. 314. Parenting time arrangements.Sec. 315. Efficient use of the National Directory of New Hires Database for federally sponsored research assessing the effectiveness of Federal policies and programs in achieving positive labor market outcomes.Subtitle B—Child Support Enforcement Task ForceSec. 321. Child Support Enforcement Task Force.Subtitle C—Effective DatesSec. 331. Effective dates.TITLE IV—Budgetary EffectsSec. 401. Determination of budgetary effects.
I
Strengthening And Finding Families for Children
101.
Short title of title
This title may be cited as
the Strengthening And Finding Families for Children Act.
A
Adoption Incentive Payments
111.
Extension of
program through fiscal year 2016
Section 473A of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 673b) is amended—
(1) in subsection
(b)(5), by striking 2008 through 2012 and inserting 2013
through 2015; and
(2) in each of paragraphs (1)(D) and (2) of subsection
(h), by striking 2013 and inserting
2016.
112.
Improvements to
award structure
(a)
Eligibility for
award
Section 473A(b) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673b(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively.
(b)
Data
requirements
Section 473A(c)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
673b(c)(2)) is amended—
(1) in the paragraph
heading, by striking numbers of adoptions and inserting
rates of adoptions and
guardianships;
(2) by striking
the numbers and all that follows through section, and
inserting each of the rates required to be determined under this section with respect to a State and a fiscal year,; and
(3) by inserting before the period the following: , and, with respect to the determination of the rates related to foster child guardianships, on the basis of information reported to the Secretary under paragraph (12) of subsection (g).
(c)
Award
amount
Section 473A(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673b(d)) is
amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking
subparagraphs (A) through (C) and inserting the following:
(A) $4,000, multiplied
by the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the number of
foster child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year; exceeds
(ii) the product (rounded to the nearest whole
number) of—
(I) the base rate of
foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year; and
(II) the number of children in foster care under
the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal
year;
(B) $8,000, multiplied
by the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the number of
older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships in the State during the fiscal year; exceeds
(ii) the product (rounded to the nearest whole
number) of—
(I) the base rate of
older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships for the State for the fiscal year; and
(II) the number of children in foster care under
the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal
year who have attained age 9;
(C) $4,500,
multiplied by the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the number of
special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions in the State during
the fiscal year; exceeds
(ii) the product (rounded to the nearest whole
number) of—
(I) the base rate of
special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions for the State for
the fiscal year; and
(II) the number of children in foster care under
the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal
year who have not attained age 9; and
(D) $4,000, multiplied
by the amount (if any) by which—
(i) the number of
foster child guardianships in the State during the fiscal year; exceeds
(ii) the product (rounded to the nearest whole
number) of—
(I) the base rate of
foster child guardianships for the State for the fiscal year; and
(II) the number of children in foster care under
the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal year.
;
and
(2) by striking
paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
(3)
Increased adoption and legal guardianship incentive payment for timely adoptions
(A)
In general
If for any of fiscal years 2013 through 2015, the total amount of adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments payable under paragraph (1) of this subsection are less than the amount appropriated under subsection (h) for the fiscal year, then, from the remainder of the amount appropriated for the fiscal year that is not required for such payments (in this paragraph referred to as the timely adoption award pool), the Secretary shall increase the adoption incentive payment determined under paragraph (1) for each State that the Secretary determines is a timely adoption award State for the fiscal year by the award amount determined for the fiscal year under subparagraph (C) .
(B)
Timely adoption award State defined
A State is a timely adoption award State for a fiscal year if the State is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia and the Secretary determines that more than 50 percent of the foster child adoptions that were finalized in the State during the fiscal year were for children for whom an adoption was finalized not more than 12 months after the date on which the child becomes legally free for adoption.
(C)
Award amount
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the award amount determined under this subparagraph with respect to a fiscal year is the amount equal to the product of—
(i) the timely adoption award pool for the fiscal year; and
(ii) the number of timely adoption award States for the fiscal year.
.
(d)
Definitions
Section
473A(g) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673b(g)) is amended by striking paragraphs (1)
through (8) and inserting the following:
(1)
Foster child
adoption rate
The term
foster child adoption rate means, with respect to a State and a
fiscal year, the percentage determined by dividing—
(A) the number of
foster child adoptions finalized in the State during the fiscal year; by
(B) the number of
children in foster care under the supervision of the State on the last day of
the preceding fiscal year.
(2)
Base rate of
foster child adoptions
The term base rate of foster child
adoptions means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the average of the foster child
adoption rate for the State for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years.
(3)
Foster child
adoption
The term
foster child adoption means the final adoption of a child who, at
the time of adoptive placement, was in foster care under the supervision of the
State.
(4)
Special needs
adoptions that are not older child adoptions rate
The term special needs adoptions that
are not older child adoptions rate means, with respect to a State and a
fiscal year, the percentage determined by dividing—
(A) the number of
special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions finalized in the
State during the fiscal year; by
(B) the number of
children in foster care under the supervision of the State on the last day of
the preceding fiscal year who have not attained age 9.
(5)
Base rate of
special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions
The term base rate of special needs
adoptions that are not older child adoptions means, with respect to a
State and a fiscal year, the average of the special needs
adoptions that are not older child adoptions rate for the State for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years.
(6)
Special needs
adoptions that are not older child adoptions
The term special needs adoptions that are not older child adoptions means the
final adoptions of all children who have not attained age 9 and for whom an adoption assistance agreement is in
effect under section 473.
(7)
Older child
adoptions and older foster child guardianships rate
The term
older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships rate means, with respect to a State and a
fiscal year, the percentage determined by dividing—
(A) the number of
older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships finalized in the State during the fiscal year; by
(B) the number of children in foster care under
the supervision of the State on the last day of the preceding fiscal year, who
have attained 9 years of age.
(8)
Base rate of
older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships
The term base rate of older child
adoptions and older foster child guardianships means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the average of the older child
adoptions and older foster child guardianships rate for the State for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years.
(9)
Older child
adoptions and older foster child guardianships
The term
older child adoptions and older foster child guardianships means the final adoption, or the placement into legal guardianship, of all children who have
attained 9 years of age and—
(A) at the time of the
adoptive or legal guardianship placement, were in foster care under the supervision of the
State; or
(B) for whom an adoption
assistance agreement was in effect under section 473.
(10)
Foster child
guardianship rate
The term foster child guardianship
rate means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year, the percentage
determined by dividing—
(A) the number of
foster child guardianships that occurred in the State during the fiscal year;
by
(B) the number of
children in foster care under the supervision of the State on the last day of
the preceding fiscal year.
(11)
Base rate of
foster child guardianships
The term base rate of foster
child guardianships means, with respect to a State and a fiscal year,
the average of the foster child
guardianship rate for the State for the immediately preceding 3 fiscal years.
(12)
Foster child guardianship
The term foster child guardianship means, with respect to a State, the exit of a child from foster care under the responsibility of the State to live with a legal guardian, if the State has reported to the Secretary—
(A) that the State agency has determined that—
(i) the child has been removed from his or her home pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement or as a result of a judicial determination to the effect that continuation in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child;
(ii) being returned home is not an appropriate option for the child;
(iii) the child demonstrates a strong attachment to the prospective legal guardian, and the prospective legal guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child; and
(iv) if the child has attained 14 years of age, the child has been consulted regarding the legal guardianship arrangement; or
(B) the alternative procedures used by the State to determine that legal guardianship is the appropriate option for the child.
.
113.
Renaming of program
(a)
In general
The section heading of section 473A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673b) is amended to read as follows:
473A.
Adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments
.
(b)
Conforming amendments
(1) Section 473A of such Act is amended in each of subsections (a), (d)(1), (d)(2)(A), and (d)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 673b(a), (d)(1), (d)(2)(A), and (d)(2)(B)) by inserting and legal guardianship after adoption each place it appears.
(2) The heading of section 473A(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 673b(d)) is amended by inserting and legal guardianship after adoption.
114.
Limitations on use of incentive payments
Section 473A(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673b(f)) is amended—
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting , and shall use the amount to supplement, and not supplant, any Federal or non-Federal funds used to provide any service under part B or E before the period;
(2) by inserting after the first sentence, the following: In the case of any State that is paid an incentive payment under this section for a fiscal year that exceeds $100,000, the State shall use at least 25 percent of the
incentive payment made to the State for that fiscal year to provide services for children who have been reunified with their families, including services to youth who, after emancipating from foster care, return to their families, to support and sustain these reunifications.; and
(3) by striking the preceding sentence and inserting this subsection.
115.
State report on calculation and use of savings resulting from the phase-out of eligibility requirements for adoption assistance; requirement to spend 40 percent of savings on certain services
Section 473(a)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673(a)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
(8)
(A) A State shall calculate the savings (if any) resulting from the application of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) to all applicable children for a fiscal year, using a methodology specified by the Secretary or an alternate methodology proposed by the State and approved by the Secretary.
(B) A State shall annually report to the Secretary—
(i) the methodology used to make the calculation described in subparagraph (A), without regard to whether any savings are found;
(ii) the amount of any savings referred to in subparagraph (A); and
(iii) how any such savings are spent, accounting for and reporting the spending separately from any other spending reported to the Secretary under part B or E.
(C) The Secretary shall make all information reported pursuant to subparagraph (B) (including the information required under subparagraph (D)(iii)) available on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services in a location easily accessible to the public.
(D)
(i) A State shall spend an amount equal to the amount of the savings (if any) in State expenditures under this part resulting from the application of paragraph (2)(A)(ii) to all applicable children for a fiscal year, to provide to children of families any service that may be provided under this part or part B, and shall spend not less than 40 percent of any such savings on—
(I) post-adoption or post-guardianship services (as applicable) for children placed in adoptive,
kinship guardianship, or guardianship placements and their families; and
(II) services to support and sustain positive permanent outcomes for children who otherwise might enter into foster care under the responsibility of the State.
(ii) Any spending by a State in accordance with this subparagraph shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any Federal or non-Federal funds used to provide any service under part B or E.
(iii) A State shall include in the annual report submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (B) a detailed account, in such form and manner as the Secretary shall require, of the services funded by the State to satisfy the requirements of clause (i) of this subparagraph.
.
116.
Preservation of eligibility for kinship guardianship assistance payments with a successor guardian
Section 473(d)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673(d)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(C)
Eligibility not affected by replacement of guardian with a successor guardian
In the event of the death or incapacity of the relative guardian, the eligibility of a child for a kinship guardianship assistance payment under this subsection shall not be affected by reason of the replacement of the relative guardian with a successor legal guardian named in the kinship guardianship assistance agreement referred to in paragraph (1) (including in any amendment to the agreement), notwithstanding subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and section 471(a)(28).
.
117.
Data collection
on adoption and foster child guardianship disruption and dissolution
(a)
In
general
Section 479 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 679) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
(d)
(1) Not later than 12
months after the date of enactment of the Strengthening And Finding Families for Children Act the
Secretary shall, as part of the data collection system established under this
section, promulgate final regulations providing for the collection and analysis
of information regarding children who enter into foster care under the supervision of a State as a result of
the disruption of a placement for adoption or foster child guardianship or the dissolution of an adoption or foster child guardianship. The regulations
shall require each State with a State plan approved under this part and part B to collect and report as part of such data collection system and, as appropriate, to report supplementary, descriptive, or spending information required separate from such system and, as appropriate, as part of other reports required under this part or part B, the information specified in paragraph (2).
(2) The regulations promulgated under paragraph (1) shall require a State to collect and report the following information:
(A) Information on children born in the United States who are
adopted or placed in a foster child guardianship and who enter into foster care under the supervision of the State as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or foster child guardianship or the
dissolution of an adoption or foster child guardianship, including—
(i) the number of such children who enter
into foster care under the supervision of the State as a result of—
(I) the disruption of placement for adoption;
(II) the disruption of placement for foster child guardianship;
(III) the dissolution of an adoption; or
(IV) the dissolution of a foster child guardianship; and
(ii) for each child identified under
clause (i)—
(I) the length of the adoption or foster child guardianship placement
prior to disruption or dissolution;
(II) the age of the child at the time of the
disruption or dissolution;
(III) the reason for the disruption or
dissolution, as well as illustrative or supplementary materials that provide elaboration for the reason; and
(IV) the agencies who handled the placement
for adoption or foster child guardianship.
(B) Information on children born in a country other than the United States who enter into foster care under the supervision of the State as a result of the disruption of a placement for adoption or the dissolution of an adoption, including—
(i) the number of such children who enter
into foster care under the supervision of the State as a result of—
(I) the disruption of placement for adoption; or
(II) the dissolution of an adoption;
(ii) for each child identified under
clause (i)—
(I) the child's country of birth and, if different, the country from which the child originally was placed for adoption;
(II) the length of the adoption placement
prior to disruption or dissolution;
(III) the age of the child at the time of the
disruption or dissolution;
(IV) the reason for the disruption or
dissolution, as well as illustrative or supplementary materials that provide elaboration for the reason; and
(V) the agencies who handled the placement
for adoption; and
(C) A description of the pre- and post-adoptive
support services that
the State has determined result in lower rates of disruption and dissolution of adoptions or foster child guardianships.
(D) Information on how the State spends funds paid to the State from an allotment for the State under section 433 to promote adoption, and, separately, to provide pre and post-adoptive support services.
(E) Such other information as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term foster child guardianship has the meaning given that term in section 473A(g)(12).
.
(b)
Annual
report
Section 479A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 679b)
is amended—
(1) in paragraph (5),
by striking and after the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (6),
by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(3) by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
(7) include in the
report submitted pursuant to paragraph (5) for fiscal year 2016 or any
succeeding fiscal year, national and State-by-State data on the numbers and
rates of disruptions and dissolutions of adoptions, as collected pursuant to
section
479(d).
.
118.
Encouraging the placement of children in foster care with siblings
(a)
State plan amendment
(1)
Notification of parents of siblings
Section 471(a)(29) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(29)) is amended by striking all adult grandparents and inserting the following relatives: all adult grandparents, all parents of a sibling of the child, where such parent has legal custody of such sibling,.
(2)
Sibling defined
Section 475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(9) The term sibling means an individual who satisfies at least one of the following conditions with respect to a child:
(A) The individual is considered by State law to be a sibling of the child.
(B) The individual would have been considered a sibling of the child under State law but for a termination or other disruption of parental rights, such as the death of a parent.
.
(b)
Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as subordinating the rights of foster or adoptive parents of a child to the rights of the parents of a sibling of that child.
119.
Effective dates
(a)
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the amendments made by this subtitle shall take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2013.
(b)
Restructuring and renaming of program
(1)
In general
The amendments made by sections 112 and 113 shall take effect on October 1, 2014, subject to paragraph (2).
(2)
Transition rule
(A)
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total amount payable to a State under section 473A of the Social Security Act for fiscal year 2014 shall be an amount equal to 1/2 of the sum of—
(i) the total amount that would be payable to the State under such section for fiscal year 2014 if the amendments made by section 112 of this Act had not taken effect; and
(ii) the total amount that would be payable to the State under such section for fiscal year 2014 in the absence of this paragraph.
(B)
Pro rata adjustment if insufficient funds available
If the total amount otherwise payable under subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2014 exceeds the amount appropriated pursuant to section 473A(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673b(h)) for that fiscal year, the amount payable to each State under subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2014 shall be—
(i) the amount that would otherwise be payable to the State under subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2014; multiplied by
(ii) the percentage represented by the amount so appropriated for fiscal year 2014, divided by the total amount otherwise payable under subparagraph (A) to all States for that fiscal year.
(c)
Promoting sibling connections
(1)
In general
The amendments made by section 118 shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(2)
Delay permitted if State legislation required
In the case of a State plan approved under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by section 118, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular session of the State legislature that ends after the 1-year period beginning with the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
B
Extension of family connection grant program
121.
Extension of family connection grant program
(a)
In
general
Section 427(h) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 627(h)) is amended by striking
2013 and inserting 2016.
(b)
Eligibility of universities for matching grants
Section 427(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 627(a)) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—
(1) by striking and before private; and
(2) by inserting and institutions of higher education (as defined under section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), after arrangements,.
(c)
Finding families for foster youth who are parents
Section 427(a)(1)(E) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 627(a)(1)(E)) is amended by inserting and other individuals who are willing and able to be foster parents for children in foster care under the responsibility of the State who are themselves parents after kinship care families.
(d)
Reservation of
funds
Section 427(g) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 627(g)) is
amended—
(1) by striking
paragraph (1); and
(2) by redesignating
paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
C
Unemployment compensation
131.
Improving the collection of unemployment insurance overpayments through tax refund offset
(a)
In general
Section 303 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(m) In the case of a covered unemployment compensation debt (as defined under section 6402(f)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that remains uncollected as of the date that is 2 years after the date when such debt was first incurred, the State to which such debt is owed shall take action to recover such debt under section 6402(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
.
(b)
Effective date
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2015.
II
Identifying and serving youth vulnerable to sex trafficking
201.
Short title of title
This Act may be cited as the
Protecting Youth At-Risk for Sex Trafficking Act.
A
Addressing the
risks that make youth vulnerable to sex trafficking and other negative
outcomes
211.
Identifying
and screening youth at risk of sex trafficking
Section 471(a)(9) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 671(a)(9)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph
(A), by striking and;
(2) in subparagraph
(B), by inserting and after the semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the
end the following:
(C) not later than—
(i) 1 year after the date of enactment of the Protecting Youth At-Risk for Sex Trafficking Act, demonstrate to the
Secretary that it has developed, in consultation with the child protective
services agency or unit for the State, policies and procedures for identifying and
screening, and to determine appropriate State action and services, any child
who the State has reasonable cause to believe is a victim of sex trafficking
(as defined in section 103(10) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of
2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(10))) or a severe form of trafficking in persons described
in paragraph (9)(A) of that Act (22 U.S.C. 7102(9)(A)) or is at risk of being a
victim of either kind of trafficking (including at the option of the State, any
individual who has not attained age 26 without regard to whether that
individual is or was in foster care under the responsibility of the State);
and
(ii) 2 years after the date of enactment of the Protecting Youth At-Risk for Sex Trafficking Act, demonstrate to the
Secretary that it is implementing, in consultation with the child protective
services agency or unit for the State, the policies and procedures developed under
clause
(i).
.
212.
Improvements
to another planned permanent living arrangement as a permanency option
(a)
Elimination of
the option for children under age 16
(1)
In
general
Section 475(5)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
675(5)(C)) is amended by inserting only in the case of a child who has
attained age 16 before (in cases where the State agency has
documented.
(2)
Conforming
amendment
Section 422(b)(8)(A)(iii)(II) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
622(b)(8)(A)(iii)(II)) is amended by inserting , subject to the
requirements of paragraphs (5)(C) and (10) of section 475 after
arrangement.
(b)
Additional
requirements
(1)
In
general
Part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
670 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 475 the following new
section:
475A.
Additional case plan and case review system
requirements
(a)
Requirements for
another planned permanent living arrangement
In the case of any
child for whom another planned permanent living arrangement is the permanency
plan for the child, the following requirements shall apply for purposes of
approving the case plan for the child and the case system review procedure for
the child:
(1)
Documentation
of intensive, ongoing, unsuccessful efforts for family
placement
At each permanency hearing held with respect to the
child, the State agency documents the intensive, ongoing, and, as of the date
of the hearing, unsuccessful efforts made by the State agency to return the
child home, place the child with a fit and willing relative, place the child with a legal guardian, or place the child for adoption, including through efforts that utilize
search technology to find biological family members for children in the child
welfare system.
(2)
Redetermination
of appropriateness of placement at each permanency hearing
At
each permanency hearing held with respect to the child, the court or
administrative body appointed or approved by the court conducting the hearing
on the permanency plan for the child shall do the following:
(A) Ask the child if
the child wants to be adopted.
(B) Make a judicial
determination of a compelling reason with respect to each of the following
options for why it continues to be not in the best interests of the child
to—
(i) return
home;
(ii) be placed with a
fit and willing relative;
(iii) be placed with
a legal guardian; or
(iv) be placed for
adoption.
(C) Identify the
barriers to permanency plans other than another planned permanent living
arrangement for the child.
(D) Make a new
determination that another planned permanent living arrangement is the
appropriate permanency plan for this child and submit findings as to why, as of
the date of the hearing, another planned permanent living arrangement is the
best permanency plan for the child.
(E) Require the State
agency to document at the next permanency hearing held with respect to the
child the intensive, ongoing, efforts made by the State agency to address such
barriers and allow a different permanency plan for the child.
(3)
Demonstration
of support for engaging in age or developmentally appropriate activities and
social events
The State agency shall appear before the court or
administrative body appointed or approved by the court and demonstrate, not
less frequently than every 6 months while the child is placed in another
planned permanent living arrangement—
(A) the steps the
State agency is taking, including with respect to reducing barriers such as
paper work or other documentation, to ensure the child has regular, ongoing
opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities,
including social events; and
(B) that an
individual, other than a caseworker, is the caregiver for the child for
purposes of the reasonable and prudent parent standard (as defined in section 475(9)), including with respect
to authority for signing permission slips and giving informal permission for
the child to participate in age or developmentally appropriate activities,
including social
events.
.
(2)
Conforming
amendments
(A)
State plan
requirements
(i)
Part
B
Section 422(b)(8)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
622(b)(8)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting in accordance with the
requirements of section 475A after section
475(5)).
(ii)
Part
E
Section 471(a)(16) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
671(a)(16)) is amended—
(I) by inserting
and in accordance with the requirements of section 475A after
section 475(1); and
(II) by striking
section 475(5)(B) and inserting section 475(5) and
475A.
(B)
Definitions
Section
475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended—
(i) in
paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
meets the requirements of section 475A and after written
document which;
(ii) in
paragraph (5)(C), as amended by subsection (a)(1)—
(I) by inserting
, as of the date of the hearing, after compelling reason
for determining; and
(II) by inserting
subject to the requirements of section 475A(a), after
another planned permanent living arrangement,; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
(9)
(A) The term
reasonable and prudent parent standard means the standard
characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain a
child's health, safety, and best interests while at the same time encouraging
the child's emotional and developmental growth, that a caregiver shall use when
determining whether to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of
the State to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social
activities.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the
term caregiver means a foster parent with whom a child in foster
care has been placed or a designated official for a child care institution in
which a child in foster care has been placed.
(10)
(A)
(i) The term age or
developmentally appropriate means activities or items that are generally
accepted as suitable for children of the same chronological age or level of
maturity or that are determined to be developmentally appropriate for a child,
based on the development of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral
capacities that are typical for an age or age group.
(ii) In the event that any age related activities have implications relative to a child or youth’s academic curriculum, nothing in this part or part B shall be construed to authorize an officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school’s specific instructional content, academic achievement standards and assessments, curriculum, or program of instruction
(B) In the case of a specific child, the
term means activities or items that are suitable for that child based on the
developmental stages attained by the child with respect to the child's
cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral
capacities.
.
(c)
Collected child
support directed to the youth
(1)
Foster youth in
another planned permanent living arrangement
Section 457(e)(1) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 657(e)(1)) is amended by inserting unless the permanency
plan for the child is another planned permanent living arrangement, in which
case the amounts collected (without any reimbursement to the Federal
Government) shall be deposited by the State agency responsible for supervising the child's placement in an account established for the benefit of the child and only used for payment of fees or other costs attributable to
the child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate
activities (until the child attains 18 years of age or such higher age as the State has elected under section 475(8)(B)(iii) at which time any funds in the account shall be paid to the child) before the semicolon.
(2)
Former foster
youth who have aged out of foster care
Section 457 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 657) is amended—
(A) in subsection
(a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking (d) and
(e) and inserting (d), (e), and (f); and
(B) by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
(f)
Youth age 18 or
older in foster care
Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of
this section, amounts collected by a State as child support for months in any
period on behalf of a child who is in foster care under the responsibility of
the State on the date the child attains 18 years of age or such higher age as
the State has elected under section 475(8)(B)(iii) shall be paid to the child
(without any reimbursement to the Federal
Government).
.
(3)
State plan amendment
Section 454(11) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654(11)) is amended—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by adding and after the semicolon; and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B), the following:
(C) provide a description of the procedures the State has in effect to comply with the requirements under section 457(e)(1) regarding funds collected on behalf of a child in another planned permanent living arrangement and with the requirements under section 457(f) regarding payment of amounts collected on behalf of a child who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State on the date the child attains 18 years of age or such higher age as the State has elected under section 475(8)(B)(iii);
.
(d)
Effective
dates
(1)
In
general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made
by this section shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2)
Delay of child
support amendment permitted if state legislation required
In the
case of a State plan approved under section 454 of the Social Security Act
which requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds)
in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the
amendments made by subsection (c), the State plan shall not be regarded as
failing to comply with the additional requirements solely on the basis of the
failure of the plan to meet the additional requirements before the first day of
the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular
session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of
this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that
has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to
be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
B
Empowering older
youth vulnerable to domestic sex trafficking and other negative
outcomes
221.
Empowering
foster youth age 14 and older in the development of their own case plan and
transition planning for a successful adulthood
(a)
In
general
Section 475(1)(B) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end
the following: With respect to a child who has attained age 14, the plan
developed under this paragraph for the child, the permanency plan required for
the child under paragraph (5)(C), and any revisions or additions to such plans,
shall be developed in consultation with the child and, at the option of the
child, with up to 2 members of the case planning team who are chosen by the
child and who are not the child's foster parent or caseworker. A State may
reject an individual selected by a child to be a member of the case planning
team at any time if the State has good cause to believe that the individual
would not act in the best interests of the child. One individual selected by a
child to be a member of the child's case planning team may be designated to be
the child's advisor and, as necessary, advocate, with respect to the
application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard to the
child..
(b)
Conforming
amendments To include youth 14 and older in transition planning
Section 475 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is
amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking
Where appropriate, for a child age 16 and inserting For a
child age 14; and
(2) in paragraph
(5)—
(A) in subparagraph
(C)—
(i) by striking 16 and inserting 14; and
(ii) by striking independent living and inserting a successful adulthood and that the permanency plan for the child is developed in accordance with the requirements specified in paragraph(1)(B); and
(B) in subparagraph
(I), by striking 16 and inserting 14.
(c)
Transition
planning for a successful adulthood
Paragraphs (1)(D) and (5)(C)(iii) of section 475 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675) are each amended by
striking independent living and inserting a successful
adulthood.
(d)
List of
rights
Section 475A of the Social Security Act, as added by
section 212(b)(1), is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
(b)
List of
rights
The case plan for any child in foster care under the
responsibility of the State or with respect to whom adoption or kinship
guardianship, assistance is made available under this part, who has attained
age 14 shall include an age or developmentally appropriate written document that describes the child's rights with
respect to education, health, visitation, and court participation, and to
staying safe and avoiding exploitation and a signed acknowledgment by the child
that the child has been provided them with a written copy of such
document.
.
(e)
Report
Not
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall submit a report to Congress regarding the
implementation of the amendments made by this section. The report shall
include—
(1) an analysis of
how States are administering the requirement of section 475(1)(B) of the Social
Security Act, as amended by subsection (a) of this Act, to permit a child in
foster care who has attained age 14 to select up to 2 members of the child's
case planning team from individuals who are not the child's foster parent or
caseworker for the development of the plan
for the child under paragraph (1)(B) of section 475 of such Act, the permanency plan required for
the child under paragraph (5)(C) of section 475 of such Act, and for any revisions or additions to such plans; and
(2) a description of
best practices of States with respect to the administration of the
requirement.
222.
Ensuring
foster youth have a birth certificate, Social Security card, driver's license or equivalent State-issued identification card, and a bank
account
(a)
Case review
system requirement
Section
475(5)(I) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675(5)(I)) is amended—
(1) by striking and receives
assistance and inserting receives assistance; and
(2) by inserting
before the period, the following: and is not discharged from care
without being provided with an official birth certificate, a social security
card issued by the Commissioner of Social Security, a driver's license or identification card issued by a State in accordance with the requirements of section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, and a fee-free (or low-fee)
transaction account (as defined in section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve
Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(C))) established in the child's name at an insured
depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)) or an insured credit union (as defined in
section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)), unless the
child, after consultation with the child's selected members of the child's case
planning team (if any), elects not to have such an account
established.
(b)
Penalty for
noncompliance
Section 474 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
674)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
(h)
Reduced federal
matching percentage for administration for failure To ensure foster youth have
a birth certificate, social security card, picture ID, and a bank account
If
the Secretary finds with respect to a fiscal year quarter that a State has
failed to comply with the requirement under section 475(5)(I) to provide each
child in foster care under the responsibility of the State with an official
birth certificate, a social security card issued by the Commissioner of Social
Security, a driver's license or identification card issued by a State in accordance with the requirements of section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005, and a fee-free (or low-fee) transaction account (as defined in
section 19(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(1)(C)))
established in the child's name at an insured depository institution (as
defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)) or
an insured credit union (as defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union
Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)) before the child is discharged from such care, (unless
the child elects, after consultation with the child's selected members of the
child's case planning team (if any), not to have such an account established)
then, notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and any regulations
promulgated under section 1123A(b)(3), the Secretary shall reduce the Federal
matching percentage for expenditures described in subsection (a)(3)(E) for the
succeeding fiscal year quarter by 1 percentage point for every multiple of 10
children for whom the Secretary determines the State failed to comply with such
requirements (but not to exceed 25 percentage
points).
.
(c)
Effective
date
(1)
In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section take effect on October
1, 2015.
(2)
Extension for State law amendment
In the case of a State plan approved under
part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of
Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than
legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional
requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as
failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the
failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the first day of
the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session
of the State legislature that ends after the 1-year period beginning with the
date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the
case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session
is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
C
Data and Reports
231.
Streamline data
collection and reporting on sex trafficking
(a)
State plan
requirements
(1)
In general
Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
671(a)) is amended—
(A) by striking
and at the end of paragraph (32);
(B) by striking the
period at the end of paragraph (33) and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the
end the following:
(34) provides that for each child over whom the
State agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision (including a child who is in foster care, a child for whom a State child welfare agency has an open case file but who has not been removed from the home, and a youth who is not in foster care but is receiving services under section 477), the State
agency shall—
(A) identify and document appropriately in
agency records each child who is identified as being a victim of sex
trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000) or as a victim of severe forms of trafficking in
persons described in section 103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act of 2000 (relating to sex trafficking) as such a victim; and
(B) report immediately, and in no case later
than 24 hours after receiving, information on missing or abducted children to
the law enforcement authorities for entry into the National Crime Information
Center (NCIC) database of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, established
pursuant to section 534 of title 28, United States Code, and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and
(35) contains a regularly updated description of
the specific measures taken by the State agency to protect and provide services
to children who are victims of sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10)
of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) or as a victim of severe forms of trafficking in
persons described in section 103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act of 2000 (relating to sex trafficking), including efforts to
coordinate with State law enforcement, juvenile justice, and social service
agencies such as runaway and homeless youth shelters to serve that
population.
.
(2)
Effective
date
(A)
In
general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made
by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, without regard to whether final regulations required under subsection
(b) have been promulgated.
(B)
Delay permitted
if state legislation required
In the case of a State plan
approved under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act which the
Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation
(other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the
additional requirements imposed by subsection (a), the State plan shall not be
regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such part solely on the
basis of the failure of the plan to meet such additional requirements before
the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first
regular session of the State legislature that ends after the 1-year period
beginning with the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative
session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session of
the State legislature. Except as otherwise provided in this Act the amendments
made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(b)
Inclusion of
data in AFCARS
(1)
In
general
Section 479(c)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
679(c)(3)) is amended—
(A) in
subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking and after the semicolon;
and
(B) by
adding at the end the following:
(E) the number of children in foster care (and to the extent the Secretary determines feasible, the number of other children over whom the
State agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision (including children for whom a State child welfare agency has an open case file but who have not been removed from the home and youth who are not in foster care but are receiving services under section 477) who are identified as victims of
sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000) or as victims of severe forms of trafficking in
persons described in section 103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act of 2000 (relating to sex trafficking);
and
.
(2)
Reports to
congress
(A)
Initial report
Not later than the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—
(i) survey each State with a State plan approved under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq., 670 et seq.) to determine the estimated number of children in foster care and the estimated number of other children over whom the
State agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision (including children for whom a State child welfare agency has an open case file but who have not been removed from the home and youth who are not in foster care but are receiving services under section 477 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677) who are identified as victims of
sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2000) or as victims of severe forms of trafficking in
persons described in section 103(9)(A) of the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act of 2000 (relating to sex trafficking); and
(ii) submit a report to Congress that includes the results of such survey, including State-specific data, along with such recommendations for administrative or legislative action as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines appropriate relating to the
identification of, and provision of services for, such children.
(B)
Annual reports
Section 479A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 679b), as amended by section 117(b), is further amended—
(i) in paragraph (6), by striking and after the semicolon;
(ii) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
(8) include in the
report submitted pursuant to paragraph (5) for the first fiscal year that begins on or after the effective date of a final rule implementing the data collection required under subparagraph (E) of section 479(c)(3), and for each succeeding fiscal year, the State-specific data collected under such subparagraph, along with such other
information as the Secretary determines appropriate relating to the
identification of, and provision of services for, the population of
children identified in such data.
.
232.
Recommendations to Congress for expanding housing for youth victims of trafficking
Part A of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1123A, the following:
1123B.
Recommendations to Congress for expanding housing for youth victims of trafficking
(a)
In general
Not later than 1 year after the enactment of this section, the head of each Federal agency specified in subsection (c) shall submit a report to Congress that contains recommendations for administrative or legislative changes necessary to use programs, properties, or other resources owned, operated, or funded by the Federal Government to provide safe housing for youth who are victims of trafficking and to provide support to entities that provide housing or other assistance to such victims.
(b)
Content
The reports required by subsection (a) shall include with respect to programs, properties, or other resources owned, operated, or funded by each Federal agency specified in subsection (c), information regarding—
(1) the availability and suitability of existing Federal, State, and local housing resources that are appropriate for housing youth victims of trafficking or for providing support to entities that provide housing or other assistance to such victims, including in rural and isolated locations; and
(2) the feasibility of establishing or supporting public-private partnerships to provide housing for such victims or support to entities that provide housing or other assistance to such victims.
(c)
Agencies subject to reporting requirement
The Federal agencies specified in this subsection are the following:
(1) The Department of Defense.
(2) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) The Department of Homeland Security.
(4) The Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(5) The Department of Justice.
(d)
Victims of trafficking defined
In this section, the term victims of trafficking has the meaning given that term in section 103(15) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(15)).
.
D
National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking
241.
National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking
Title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1114 the following new section:
1114A.
National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking
(a)
Official designation
This section relates to the National Advisory Committee on Domestic Sex Trafficking (in this section referred to as the Committee).
(b)
Authority
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish and appoint all members of the Committee.
(c)
Membership
(1)
Composition
The Committee shall be composed of not more than 21 members whose diverse experience and background enable them to provide balanced points of view with regard to carrying out the duties of the Committee. The Committee shall not be composed solely of Federal officers or employees.
(2)
Selection
The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall appoint members to the Committee.
(3)
Period of
appointment; vacancies
Members shall be appointed for the life of the Committee. A vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made and shall not affect the powers or duties of the Committee.
(4)
Compensation
Committee members, with the exception of reimbursement of official travel expenses and per diem for official travel, shall serve without compensation.
(d)
Duties
(1)
National response
The Committee shall advise the Secretary and the Attorney General on practical and general policies concerning improvements to the Nation's response to domestic sex trafficking of minors from the child welfare system and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
(2)
Cooperation policies
The Committee shall advise the Secretary and the Attorney General on practical and general policies concerning the cooperation of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, child welfare agencies, social service providers, physical health and mental health providers, victim service providers, State or local courts with responsibility for conducting or supervising proceedings relating to child welfare or social services for children and their families, Federal, State, and local police, juvenile detention centers and runaway and homeless youth programs, schools, and businesses and organizations that provide services to youth, on responding to domestic sex trafficking of minors and the commercial sexual exploitation of children, including the development and implementation of—
(A) successful interventions with children and teens who are exposed to conditions that make them vulnerable to, or victims of, domestic sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation;
(B) policies that reflect an understanding that safety and well-being of children and teens can be compromised by the sexualization of children, the commodification of children, and a lack of normalcy characterized by isolation, disconnection from positive, appropriate, and healthy relationships with peers and adults, and an inability to engage in age appropriate activities; and
(C) the relationship between children and teens who are trafficked and the overall coarsening and desensitization of society to violence that puts the public safety of communities across the Nation at risk.
(3)
Definition of commercial sexual exploitation of children
The Committee shall recommend a comprehensive definition of what constitutes the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
(4)
Best practices for States
(A)
In general
The Committee shall develop 2 tiers (referred to in this subparagraph as Tier I and Tier II) of recommended best practices for States to follow in combating the domestic sex trafficking of minors and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Tier I shall provide States that have not yet addressed domestic sex trafficking of minors and the commercial sexual exploitation of children with an idea of where to begin and what steps to take. Tier II shall provide States that are already working to address domestic sex trafficking of minors and the commercial sexual exploitation of children with examples of policies that are already being used effectively by other States to address trafficking issues.
(B)
Development
The best practices shall be based on multidisciplinary research and promising, evidence-based models and programs.
(C)
Content
The best practices shall be user-friendly, incorporate the most up-to-date technology, and include the following:
(i) Sample training materials, protocols, and screening tools to prepare child welfare personnel to identify and serve youth who are at-risk or are victims of domestic sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation.
(ii) Multidisciplinary strategies to identify victims, manage cases, and improve services to meet the unique needs of this youth population.
(iii) Sample protocols and recommendations for effective, cross-system collaboration between Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, child welfare agencies, social service providers, physical health and mental health providers, victim service providers, State or local courts with responsibility for conducting or supervising proceedings relating to child welfare or social services for children and their families, Federal, State, and local police, juvenile detention centers and runaway and homeless youth programs, schools, and businesses and organizations that provide services to youth. These protocols and recommendations should include strategies to identify victims and collect, document, and share data across systems and agencies, and should be designed to help agencies better understand the type of trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation involved, the scope of the problem, the needs of the population to be served, ways to address the demand for trafficked children and youth and increase prosecutions of traffickers and purchasers of children and youth, and the degree of victim interaction with multiple systems.
(iv) A list of recommendations to establish safe residential placements for foster youth who have been trafficked (as defined by the Committee) as well as training guidelines for caregivers that serve children and youth being cared for outside the home.
(e)
Reports
(1)
In general
The Committee shall submit an interim and a final report on the work of the Committee to—
(A) the Secretary;
(B) the Attorney General;
(C) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(D) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(2)
Reporting dates
The interim report shall be submitted not later than 1 year after the establishment of the Committee. The final report shall be submitted not later than 2 years after the establishment of the Committee unless the Secretary establishes an extension period for the Committee, in which case the final report shall be submitted not later than the last day of such period.
(f)
Administration
(1)
Agency support
The Secretary shall direct the head of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to l provide all necessary support for the Committee.
(2)
Meetings
(A)
In general
The Committee will meet at the call of the Secretary at least twice a year to carry out the duties identified in this section, and more often as otherwise required.
(B)
Procedures
The Secretary shall call all of the Committee meetings, prepare and approve all meeting agendas, attend all Committee meetings, adjourn any meeting when the Secretary determines adjournment to be in the public interest, and shall chair meetings when directed to do so by an official or entity to whom the Committee reports.
(3)
Subcommittees
The Committee shall be authorized to establish subcommittees or working groups, as necessary and consistent with the mission of the Committee, and any such subcommittees or working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Sunshine in Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and other appropriate Federal regulations. Such subcommittees or working groups shall have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the Committee, nor shall they report directly to any official or entity listed in subsection (d).
(4)
Recordkeeping
The records of the Committee and any subcommittees and working groups shall be maintained in accordance with appropriate Department of Health and Human Services policies and procedures and shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
(g)
Funding
(1)
In general
From the unobligated balance of funds made available to carry out section 414 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 614), $400,000 of such funds are hereby transferred and made available to carry out this section. Amounts transferred and made available to carry out this section shall remain available for expenditure until the date on which the Committee terminates and shall not be subject to reduction under a sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.).
(2)
Unobligated
amounts
Any amounts made available to carry out this section that are
unobligated on the date on which the Committee terminates shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States .
(h)
Termination
The Committee shall terminate 2 years after the date of establishment unless the Secretary determines that more time is necessary to allow the Committee to complete its duties, in which case the Committee shall terminate at the end of an extension period established by the Secretary (not to exceed 24 months).
.
III
Child Support Enforcement
301.
Short title of title
This title may be cited as the Child Support Improvement and Work Promotion Act.
A
Increased Reliability of Child Support
311.
Compliance with
multilateral child support conventions
(a)
Secretary's
authority To ensure compliance with multilateral child support
convention
(1)
In
general
Section 452 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 652) is
amended—
(A) by redesignating
the second subsection (l) (as added by section 7306 of Public Law 109–171) as
subsection (m); and
(B) by adding at the
end the following:
(n)
Secretary's
authority To ensure compliance with multilateral child support
convention
Consistent with the national policy of the United
States to fully comply with the obligations of any multilateral child support
convention to which the United States is a party, the Secretary shall utilize
Federal and, as appropriate, State enforcement mechanisms in furtherance of
this policy and take such steps as may be necessary within the Secretary’s
authority to ensure compliance with the United States treaty obligations under
such convention in the event the Secretary determines that a State plan does
not comply with such obligations.
.
(2)
Conforming
amendment
Section 453(k)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
653(k)(3)) is amended by striking 452(l) and inserting
452(m).
(b)
Access to the
federal parent locator service
Section 453(c) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(c)) is amended—
(1) by striking
and at the end of paragraph (3);
(2) by striking the
period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting ; and;
and
(3) by adding at the
end the following:
(5) an entity
designated as a Central Authority for child support enforcement in a foreign
reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country for purposes specified in
section
459A(c)(2).
.
(c)
State option To
require individuals in foreign countries To apply through their country's
appropriate central authority
Section 454 of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 654) is amended—
(1) in paragraph
(4)(A)(ii), by inserting before the semicolon (except that, if the
individual applying for the services resides in a foreign reciprocating country
or foreign treaty country, the State may opt to require the individual to
request the services through the Central Authority for child support
enforcement in the foreign reciprocating country or the foreign treaty country,
and if the individual resides in a foreign country that is not a foreign
reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country, a State may accept or reject
the application); and
(2) in paragraph
(32)—
(A) in subparagraph
(A), by inserting , a foreign treaty country, after a
foreign reciprocating country; and
(B) in subparagraph
(C), by striking or foreign obligee and inserting ,
foreign treaty country, or foreign individual.
(d)
Amendments to
international support enforcement provisions
Section 459A of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 659a) is amended—
(1) in subsection
(c)—
(A) in the matter
preceding paragraph (1), by striking foreign countries that are the
subject of a declaration under this section and inserting
foreign reciprocating countries or foreign treaty countries;
and
(B) in paragraph (2),
by inserting and foreign treaty countries after foreign
reciprocating countries;
(2) in subsection
(d), by striking the subject of a declaration pursuant to subsection
(a) and inserting foreign reciprocating countries or foreign
treaty countries; and
(3) by adding at the
end the following:
(e)
References
In
this part:
(1)
Foreign
reciprocating country
The term foreign reciprocating
country means a foreign country (or political subdivision thereof) with
respect to which the Secretary has made a declaration pursuant to subsection
(a).
(2)
Foreign treaty
country
The term foreign treaty country means a
foreign country for which the 2007 Family Maintenance Convention is in
force.
(3)
2007 family
maintenance convention
The term 2007 Family Maintenance
Convention means the Hague Convention of 23 November 2007 on the
International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family
Maintenance.
.
(e)
Collection of
past-due support from federal tax refunds
Section 464(a)(2)(A) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 664(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
under section 454(4)(A)(ii) and inserting under paragraph
(4)(A)(ii) or (32) of section 454.
(f)
State law
requirement concerning the uniform interstate family support act
(UIFSA)
Section 466(f) (42 U.S.C. 666(f)) is amended—
(1) by striking
on and after January 1, 1998,;
(2) by striking
and as in effect on August 22, 1996,; and
(3) by striking
adopted as of such date and inserting adopted as of
September 30, 2008.
(g)
Full faith and
credit for child support orders
Section 1738B of title 28, United States Code,
is amended—
(1) in subsection
(b)—
(A) by inserting
(1) Child.—The term before
child ;
(B) by striking
child's State and all that follows through
a child resides.;
(C) by inserting
(2) Child's home
State.—The term before child's home
State ;
(D) by inserting
after paragraph (2), as designated by subparagraph (C), the following:
(3)
Child's
State
The term child's State means the State in
which a child resides.
;
(E) by inserting
(4) Child
support.—The term before child
support ;
(F) by inserting
(5) Child support
order.—The term before child support
order ;
(G) by inserting
(6) Contestant.—The term before
contestant ;
(H) by striking
court means and all that follows through
modification of a child support order.;
(I) by inserting
(7) Modification.—The term before
modification ;
(J) by inserting
(8) State.—The term before
State ; and
(K) by adding at the
end the following:
(9)
Tribunal
The
term tribunal means a court or administrative agency of a State
that is authorized by State law to establish the amount of child support
payable by a contestant or make a modification of a child support
order.
;
(2) by striking
court each place it appears except subsection (b)(9), as added
by paragraph (1) of this section, and inserting tribunal;
(3) by striking
courts each place it appears and inserting
tribunals;
(4) in subsection
(c)(1), by striking subsections (e), (f), and (g) and inserting
this section;
(5) by striking
subsection (i);
(6) by redesignating
subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h) as subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i),
respectively;
(7) by striking
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
(d)
Continuing,
exclusive jurisdiction
A tribunal of a State that has made a
child support order consistently with this section has continuing, exclusive
jurisdiction to modify the order if—
(1) the order is the
controlling order, as determined under subsection (g); and
(2)
(A) the State is the
child's State or the residence of any individual contestant; or
(B) the contestants provide consent (by
providing consent in a record or in a hearing) for the tribunal to continue to
exercise jurisdiction to modify the order.
(e)
Restrictions on
exercising continuing, exclusive jurisdiction
A tribunal of a
State that has made a child support order may not exercise continuing,
exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order if—
(1) each individual
contestant files a consent in a record with the issuing tribunal stating that a
tribunal of another State (which has jurisdiction of at least 1 of the
individual contestants or that is a tribunal of the State of the residence of
the child) may modify the order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction;
or
(2) the order is not
the controlling order, as determined under subsection
(g).
;
(8) in subsection
(f), as redesignated by paragraph (6) of this section—
(A) in paragraph (1),
by striking subsection (i) and inserting subsection
(j); and
(B) in paragraph
(2)—
(i) in
subparagraph (A), by inserting and the contestants have not provided
consent (by providing consent in a record or in a hearing) for the tribunal of
the other State to continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify the
order before the semicolon; and
(ii) in
subparagraph (B), by inserting with jurisdiction of at least 1 of the
individual contestants or that is a tribunal of the State of the residence of
the child after of another State;
(9) in subsection
(g), as redesignated by paragraph (6) of this section—
(A) in the subsection
heading, by striking Recognition of child support orders and
inserting Determination
of controlling child support order;
(B) in the matter
preceding paragraph (1), by striking to recognize for purposes of
continuing, exclusive jurisdiction and enforcement and inserting
is the controlling order and shall be recognized; and
(C) by striking
must be recognized each place it appears and inserting is
the controlling order;
(10) in subsection
(h), as redesignated by paragraph (6) of this section, by striking
subsections (e) and (f) and inserting subsections (f) and
(g);
(11) in subsection
(i), as redesignated by paragraph (6) of this section—
(A) in paragraph (1),
by inserting or collect arrears and interest due on a child support
order after enforce a child support order;
(B) by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2)
Law of State of
issuance of order
A tribunal shall apply the law of the State of
the tribunal that issued a child support order registered in the State of the
tribunal with regard to—
(A) the nature,
extent, amount, and duration of current payments under the child support
order;
(B) the computation
and payment of arrears and accrual of interest on arrears under the child
support order; and
(C) the existence and
satisfaction of other obligations under the child support
order.
;
(C) in paragraph (3),
by striking child support order, a and inserting child
support order registered in the State of a tribunal, the; and
(D) by adding at the
end the following:
(4)
Prospective
application of law
After a tribunal determines which is the
controlling order and issues an order consolidating arrears, if any, a tribunal
shall apply the law of the State of the tribunal that issued the controlling
order (including the law of the State relating to interest on arrears)—
(A) for support paid
after the date of the order consolidating arrears; and
(B) relating to
consolidated arrears.
;
and
(12) by adding at the
end the following:
(j)
Registration
for modification
(1)
In
general
A tribunal may modify a child support order issued in
another State which has been registered in the State of the tribunal if, after
notice and hearing, the tribunal finds—
(A) that—
(i) no individual
contestant or child resides in the State of the tribunal issuing the child
support order;
(ii) the individual
contestant seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order
issued in another State does not reside in the State in which the registering
tribunal is located; and
(iii) the tribunal of
the State in which the child support order has been registered has personal
jurisdiction of the parties not seeking to modify, or modify and enforce, the
child support order;
(B) that the State in
which the child support order has been registered—
(i)
(I) is the residence of the
child; or
(II) has personal jurisdiction of an
individual contestant; and
(ii) each individual
contestant has filed a consent in a record with the issuing tribunal for a
tribunal in the registering State to modify the support order and assume
continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or
(C) that all of
the individual contestants reside in the State in which the registering
tribunal is located and the child does not reside in the issuing State.
(2)
Limitations
A
tribunal may not modify any term of a child support order that may not be
modified under the law of the issuing State, including the duration of the
obligation of support. If 2 or more tribunals have issued child support orders
for the same obligor and same child, the law of the State of the tribunal
issuing the controlling order, as determined under subsection (g), establishes
the terms of the child support order which are not modifiable.
(3)
Proceeding to
modify
In a proceeding to modify a child support order, the law
of the State of the tribunal that issued the initial controlling order, as
determined under subsection (g), governs the duration of the obligation of
support. The obligor’s fulfillment of the duty of support established by that
controlling order precludes a tribunal of another State from imposing a further
obligation of child support on the obligor.
(4)
Parties
residing outside the United States
Notwithstanding paragraph (1),
a tribunal in the issuing State retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued
in that State if—
(A) 1 party resides
in another State; and
(B) the other party
resides outside of the United
States.
.
312.
Relief from passport sanctions for certain individuals
Section 452(k) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 652(k)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking The Secretary of State and inserting Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary of State;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:
(3)
(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Secretary of State may issue a passport to an individual with respect to whom the Secretary has transmitted certification under paragraph (1) if—
(i) the individual submits an application for relief to the Secretary of State, in such form and manner as the Secretary of State shall require; and
(ii) the Secretary of State certifies that the application includes evidence that the individual—
(I) has an annual income of less than $100,000;
(II) is not incurring any new child support obligations, but only owes arrearages;
(III) does not owe arrearages of child support for a child who is less than 18 years old;
(IV) has been making child support payments consistently and in good faith for each of the most recently preceding 12 months; and
(V) has a current offer to work outside of the United States, an offer to interview for work outside of the United States, a professional history of working outside of the United States, a job that requires travel outside of the United States, or is enrolled in a professional training program that requires travel outside of the United States.
(B) The Secretary of State shall revoke a passport issued to an individual under subparagraph (A) upon a determination that the individual has failed to make child support payments consistently and in good faith for more than 6 months.
(C) The Secretary of State shall report the issuance of a passport under this paragraph to the Secretary.
(D) The Secretary shall report the issuance of a passport under this paragraph to the State agency that certified in accordance with section 454(31) that the individual to whom the passport is issued owed child support arrearages in an amount exceeding $2,500.
.
313.
Child support
enforcement programs for Indian tribes
(a)
Tribal access
to the Federal parent locator service
Section 453(c)(1) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(c)(1)) is amended by inserting or
Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined in subsections (e) and (l) of
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 450b)), after any State.
(b)
Waiver
authority for Indian tribes or tribal organizations operating child support
enforcement programs
Section 1115(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1315(b)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating
paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C),
respectively, and realigning the left margin of subparagraph (C) so as to align with subparagraphs (A) and (B) (as so redesignated);
(2) by inserting
(1) after (b); and
(3) by adding at the
end the following:
(2) An Indian tribe or tribal
organization operating a program under section 455(f) shall be considered a
State for purposes of authority to conduct an experimental, pilot, or
demonstration project under subsection (a) to assist in promoting the
objectives of part D of title IV and receiving payments under the second
sentence of that subsection. The Secretary may waive compliance with any
requirements of section 455(f) or regulations promulgated under that section to
the extent and for the period the Secretary finds necessary for an Indian tribe
or tribal organization to carry out such project. Costs of the project which
would not otherwise be included as expenditures of a program operating under
section 455(f) and which are not included as part of the costs of projects
under section 1110, shall, to the extent and for the period prescribed by the
Secretary, be regarded as expenditures under a tribal plan or plans approved
under such section, or for the administration of such tribal plan or plans, as
may be appropriate. An Indian tribe or tribal organization applying for or
receiving start-up program development funding pursuant to section 309.16 of
title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, shall not be considered to be an Indian
tribe or tribal organization operating a program under section 455(f) for
purposes of this
paragraph.
.
314.
Parenting time arrangements
(a)
State plan amendments
Section 454 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654), as amended by section
311(c), is further amended—
(1) in paragraph
(4)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting , establishment
of voluntary parenting time arrangements, after establishment of
paternity;
(2) in paragraph
(9)—
(A) in subparagraph
(D), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph
(E), by inserting and after the semicolon;
and
(C) by adding at the
end the following:
(F) in establishing a voluntary parenting
time arrangement at the time that a support order (as defined in section
453(p)) is initially issued under this part pursuant to the requirements,
standards, and procedures described in paragraph
(35);
;
(3) in paragraph
(13), by inserting establishing voluntary parenting time
arrangements, after obtaining support orders,;
(4) in paragraph (15)—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting and after the semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
(C) a process for
including in the annual reviews and reports required under subparagraph (A)
information, in such form and manner as the Secretary shall require, regarding
the policies and practices implemented by the State or which the State plans to
implement to facilitate access to and visitation of children by noncustodial
parents;
;
(5) in paragraph
(26)(A), by inserting to establish voluntary parenting time
arrangements, after to establish paternity,;
(6) in paragraph
(33), by striking and after the semicolon;
(7) in paragraph
(34), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(8) by inserting
after paragraph (34) the following:
(35) provide that the State shall implement procedures for the establishment of a voluntary parenting time
arrangement at the time that a support order (as defined in section 453(p)) is
initially issued under this part for parents who are not subject to a divorce or
dissolution decree and for whom the voluntary parenting time
arrangement is not
contested, in
accordance with such requirements and standards as the Secretary determines necessary and that include exceptions for family or domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
.
(b)
Secretarial guidance
The Secretary shall issue guidance for States for the establishment of voluntary parenting time arrangements. The guidance shall provide that in establishing such arrangements, a State shall establish procedures to ensure—
(1) the informed and voluntary participation of both parents in the establishment of a voluntary parenting time arrangement that is free from coercion and threats of recrimination;
(2) each parent's informed consent to the terms and legal implications of any parenting time plan established under a voluntary parenting time arrangement; and
(3) that all voluntary parenting time arrangements comply with State law.
315.
Efficient use of the national directory of new hires database for federally sponsored research assessing the effectiveness of federal policies and programs in achieving positive labor market outcomes
Section 453 (42 U.S.C. 653) is amended—
(1) in subsection (i)(2)(A), by striking 24 and inserting 48; and
(2) in subsection (j), by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
(5)
Research
(A)
In general
Subject to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the Secretary may provide access to data in each component of the Federal Parent Locator Service maintained under this section and to information reported by employers pursuant to section 453A(b), for—
(i) research undertaken by a State or Federal agency (including through grant or contract) for purposes found by the Secretary to be likely to contribute to achieving the purposes of part A or this part; or
(ii) an evaluation or statistical analysis undertaken to assess the effectiveness of a Federal program in achieving positive labor market outcomes (including through grant or contract), by—
(I) the Department of Health and Human Services;
(II) the Social Security Administration;
(III) the Department of Labor;
(IV) the Department of Education;
(V) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(VI) the Department of Justice;
(VII) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(VIII) the Bureau of the Census;
(IX) the Department of Agriculture; or
(X) the National Science Foundation.
(B)
Personal identifiers
Data or information provided under this paragraph may include a personal identifier only if, in addition to meeting the requirements of subsections (l) and (m)—
(i) the State or Federal agency conducting the research described in subparagraph (A)(i), or the Federal department or agency undertaking the evaluation or statistical analysis described in subparagraph (A)(ii), as applicable, enters into an agreement with the Secretary regarding the security and use of the data or information;
(ii) the agreement includes such restrictions or conditions with respect to the use, safeguarding, disclosure, or redisclosure of the data or information (including by contractors or grantees) as the Secretary deems appropriate;
(iii) the data or information is used exclusively for the purposes defined in the agreement; and
(iv) the Secretary determines that the provision of data or information under this paragraph is the minimum amount needed to conduct the research, evaluation, or statistical analysis, as applicable, and will not interfere with the effective operation of the program under this part.
(C)
Penalties for unauthorized disclosure of data
Any individual who willfully discloses a personal identifier (such as a name or social security number) provided under this paragraph, in any manner to an entity not entitled to receive the data or information, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
.
B
Child Support Enforcement Task Force
321.
Child Support Enforcement Task Force
(a)
Establishment
There
is established in the executive branch a task force to be known as the Child Support Enforcement Task Force (referred to in this section as the Task Force).
(b)
Membership
(1)
Composition
The
Task Force shall be composed of 15 members consisting of—
(A) the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services;
(B) 5 members appointed by the Senate, of which—
(i) 1 shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate;
(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(v) 1 shall be jointly appointed by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(C) 5 members appointed by the House of Representatives, of which—
(i) 1 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives;
(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and
(v) 1 shall be jointly appointed by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and
(D) 4 members appointed by the President.
(2)
Date
The appointments of the members of the Task Force shall be made not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(3)
Expertise
The
membership of the Task Force shall consist of individuals who are knowledgeable
on issues regarding child support and related activities.
(4)
Period of
appointment; vacancies
Members shall be appointed for the life of the Task Force. A vacancy in the Task Force shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made and shall not affect the powers or duties of the Task Force.
(5)
Quorum
(A)
In general
A majority of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(B)
Report
The Task Force may not submit the report required under subsection (c) until all of the members have been appointed.
(6)
Meetings
(A)
Initial
meeting
Not later than 30 days after the Task Force has a majority, the Task Force shall hold its first meeting.
(B)
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
During
the first meeting of the Task Force, the Task Force shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from
among the members appointed as of the date of the meeting.
(C)
Other
meetings
Following the first meeting of the Task Force, any
subsequent meetings shall be at the call of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson.
(D)
Public meetings
In addition to any other meetings held by the Task Force, the Task Force shall hold at least 3 meetings that are open to the public and preceded by timely public notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and subject of the meeting. At least one public meeting of the Task Force shall focus on issues relevant to family courts or other State or local courts with responsibility for conducting or supervising proceedings relating to child support enforcement, child welfare, or social services for children and their families. At the public meetings of the Task Force, subject to such requirements and limitations as are determined appropriate by the Chairperson, appearances may be made and oral and written statements given by members of the public and the Task Force shall engage, at a minimum, with the following groups:
(i) Administrators of State child support programs.
(ii) Judges who preside over family courts or other State or local courts with responsibility for conducting or supervising proceedings relating to child support enforcement, child welfare, or social services for children and their families, and organizations that represent such judges.
(iii) Custodial parents and organizations that represent such parents.
(iv) Noncustodial parents and organizations that represent such parents.
(v) Organizations that represent fiduciary entities that are affected by child support enforcement policies.
(7)
Compensation
Members
of the Task Force—
(A) shall not receive compensation for service on the Task Force; and
(B) shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of service for the Task Force.
(c)
Report to Congress
Not later than January 1, 2016, the Task Force shall
prepare and submit a report to Congress that contains the Task Force's findings and recommendations for improvements in child support enforcement. The report shall include
the following:
(1) An evaluation of the effectiveness of existing child support
enforcement programs and collection practices employed by State agencies
administering programs under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and an analysis of the extent to which such practices result in any unintended consequences or
performance issues associated with such programs and practices.
(2) Recommendations for methods to
enhance the effectiveness of child support enforcement programs and collection
practices.
(3) An analysis of the feasibility of the establishment of a centralized lien registry by each State to contain all liens placed against real and personal property for overdue child support that would ensure access to and sharing of registry data among all necessary entities and individuals prior to any sale or distribution of property or funds.
(4) A compilation of State recovery and distribution policies.
(5) Recommendations for methods to foster
engagement by fathers in their children's lives through consideration of parental
time and visitation with children.
(6) An analysis of the role
for alternative dispute resolution in making child support determinations.
(7) Identification of best practices for—
(A) determining which services and support programs available to custodial and noncustodial parents are non-duplicative, evidenced-based, and produce quality outcomes, and connecting custodial and noncustodial parents to those services and support programs;
(B) providing employment support, job training, and job
placement for custodial and noncustodial parents; and
(C) establishing
services, supports, and child support payment tracking for noncustodial
parents, including options for the prevention of, and intervention on, uncollectible
arrearages, such as retroactive obligations and Medicaid birthing costs.
(8) Recommendations for methods for States to use to collect child support payments from individuals who owe excessive arrearages as determined under section 454(31) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654(31)).
(9) Recommendations for such
legislative and administrative actions as the Task Force
determines appropriate for improvement in child support enforcement.
(d)
Powers of the Task Force
(1)
Hearings
(A)
In general
The Task Force may hold such hearings, sit, and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable to carry out this section.
(B)
Information from Federal agencies
The Task Force may secure directly from any Federal agency such information as the Task Force considers necessary to carry out this section. Upon request of the Chairperson, the head of such agency shall furnish such information to the Task Force.
(2)
Rules
For the purposes of carrying out its duties in preparing the report required under subsection (c), the Task Force may adopt such rules for its organization and procedures as it determines appropriate.
(3)
Postal services
The Task Force may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Government.
(4)
Donations and volunteers
The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of donations of money and property and may accept such volunteer services of individuals as it determines appropriate.
(5)
Personnel matters
(A)
Staff
The Chairperson may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional employees as may be necessary to enable the Task Force to perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Task Force.
(B)
Compensation
The Chairperson may fix the compensation of the executive director and other employees of the Task Force without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(C)
Detail of Government employees
Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Task Force without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status, benefits, or privilege.
(D)
Temporary and intermittent services
The Chairperson may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(e)
Termination
The
Task Force shall terminate 60 days after
submission of the report required under subsection (c).
(f)
Funding
(1)
In general
From the unobligated balance of funds made available to carry out section 414 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 614), $2,000,000 of such funds are hereby transferred and made available to carry out this section. Amounts transferred and made available to carry out this section shall remain available through fiscal year 2016 and shall not be subject to reduction under a sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.).
(2)
Unobligated
amounts
Any amounts made available to carry out this section that are
unobligated on the date of the termination of the Task Force under subsection
(e) shall be returned to the Treasury of the United States .
(g)
Administration
(1)
In general
Upon the request of the Task Force, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the Task Force, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Task Force to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. These administrative services may include human resource management, budget, leasing, accounting, and payroll services.
(2)
Travel expenses
The members of the Task Force shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Task Force.
C
Effective Dates
331.
Effective dates
(a)
In general
Except as provided in subsection (b), this title and the amendments made by this title take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(b)
Exceptions
(1)
UIFSA state law requirements; parenting time arrangements
(A)
In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendments made by sections 311(f) and 314(a) take effect on October 1, 2014.
(B)
Delay
In the case of a State plan under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation or State regulation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by sections 311(f) and 314(a), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such sections solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
(2)
Relief from passport sanctions; child support enforcement programs for Indian tribes
The amendments made by sections 312 and 313 shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
IV
Budgetary Effects
401.
Determination of budgetary effects
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
December 19, 2013Read twice and placed on the calendar