H.R. 8789 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8789 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 9, 2022Mr. Moore of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To temporarily increase funding to the Court Improvement Program, to improve the ability of courts to conduct remote child welfare proceedings, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connecting Forever Families Act of 2022. 2. Temporary additional funding for the court improvement program (a) In general Section 436 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629f) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by inserting , $375,000,000 for each fiscal year in the 5-fiscal-year period beginning with the 1st fiscal year beginning after the effective date of the Connecting Forever Families Act of 2022, and $345,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year before the period; and (2) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting until the 1st fiscal year beginning after the effective date of the Connecting Forever Families Act of 2022, $60,000,000 for the grants for each fiscal year in the 5-fiscal-year period beginning with the 1st fiscal year after such effective date, and $30,000,000 for the grants for each succeeding fiscal year before the period. (b) Indian tribes Section 438(c)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(c)(3)) is amended by inserting for each fiscal year that begins before the effective date of the Connecting Forever Families Act of 2022, $2,000,000 in the case of the 1st 5 fiscal years that begin after such effective date, and $1,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year, after $1,000,000. (c) Offset (1) Effective on October 1 of the 1st fiscal year beginning after the effective date of this Act, section 403(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(b)(2)) is amended by striking $608,000,000 and inserting $448,000,000. (2) Effective on October 1 of the 2nd fiscal year beginning after such effective date, section 403(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(b)(2)) is amended by striking $448,000,000 and inserting $618,000,000. (3) Effective on October 1 of the 3rd fiscal year beginning after such effective date, section 403(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 603(b)(2)) is amended by striking $618,000,000 and inserting $608,000,000. 3. Clarification that court improvement program funds may be used for technological improvements to prevent disruption and enable recovery from various threats Section 438(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)) is amended— (1) by striking and at the end of paragraph (1); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting and; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) to prevent disruption and enable recovery from threats such as public health crises, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks, including technology support for remote hearings or legal representation, developing guidance, coordinating with other agencies, or otherwise ensuring back-up approaches are in place to ensure continuity of needed services. . 4. Implementation guidance on sharing best practices for technological changes needed for court proceedings for foster care or adoption to be conducted remotely (a) In general Every 5 years, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families, shall issue implementation guidance for sharing information on the best practices for— (1) technological changes needed for court proceedings for foster care or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way that maximizes engagement and protects the privacy of participants; and (2) the manner in which the proceedings should be conducted. (b) Initial issuance The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue the 1st guidance required by subsection (a) not later than January 1, 2024. 5. Effective date Except as provided in section 2(b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.