,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #dfb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #be1 #bjba ,mr4 ,casey 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,ms4 ,rosen1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,mr4 ,manchin1 and ,ms4 ,smith7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to provide emergency funding for caseworkers and child protective services4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,emergency ,funding for ,child ,protection ,act4 #b4 ,additional amount for the ,state grant program for child abuse or neglect prevention and treatment programs 7a7 ,appropriation ,there are hereby appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #ejj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba1 for the purpose of providing additional funding for the ,state grant program under section #ajf of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eajf;a71 in accordance with this section4 ,such amounts shall be in addition to other amounts made available for such purpose1 and shall remain available until expended4 7b7 ,emergency designation 7#a7 ,in general ,the amounts provided by this section are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7#b7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4 7c7 ,allotments ,as soon as practicable1 but not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall make allotments out of the amounts appropriated under subsection 7a7 to each ,state and territory receiving an allotment under section #ajf7;f7 of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eajf;a7f77 for fiscal year #bjbj1 in the same manner that amounts appropriated under section #aab of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eajf;f77 are allotted to ,states in accordance with section #ajf7;f77#b7 of such ,act1 except that1 in allotting amounts under this subsection1 #ej1jjj shall be deemed to be #a1jjj1jjj each place such amount appears in such section #ajf7;f77#b74 7d7 ,use of funds ,amounts received by a ,state or territory under subsection 7c7 may be used1 consistent with section #ajf of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act1 to-- 7#a7 expand the ability of caseworkers to conduct safe1 remote and in-person1 homes visits and family visits to investigate and treat child abuse and neglect1 which may include-- 7,a7 purchasing personal protective equipment for caseworkers and families1 such as gloves1 hand sanitizer1 and face masks2 7,b7 providing premium pay for caseworkers conducting in-home visits2 7,c7 purchasing new technology and updating or improving existing technology infrastructure for child welfare agencies2 7,d7 purchasing technology1 including internet access1 and prepaid telephone minutes for families2 and 7,e7 training on the use of such technology for caseworkers1 families1 and child welfare agencies2 7#b7 access consultation and services related to mental health1 substance use disorder1 and domestic violence1 including with infant-early childhood mental health providers1 to train and support caseworkers in the impacts of disasters and traumatic experience for children 7including very young children71 youth1 and adults1 to help caseworkers provide trauma-informed services2 7#c7 enhance the ability of caseworkers to connect families with1 or facilitate access to1 other services1 such as telebehavioral health care1 in-person well-child visits with pediatricians1 substance use disorder treatment1 and early intervention and special education services under the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adjj et seq47 for young children with developmental delays and disabilities2 7#d7 address the needs1 including mental health needs1 of lesbian1 gay1 bisexual1 transgender1 and queer youth who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect2 7#e7 purchase emergency supplies for families caring for children under protective services supervision 7either at home or in foster care7 and not able to afford them1 which may include cleaning and sanitizing supplies1 diapers1 hygiene products1 formula for infants and toddlers1 and reusable cloth face coverings that are consistent with the guidelines of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention for preventing the spread of ,,covid-#ai among the general public2 7#f7 provide time-limited1 direct payments for families caring for children under protective services supervision 7either at home or in foster care7 who are applying for government-funded assistance programs1 to serve as a bridge until the family receives or is denied such assistance2 7#g7 provide support1 including assistance payments1 training or mentorship in navigating virtual platforms such as virtual learning and telehealth1 and access to legal representation1 as needed1 to relatives or fictive kin to care for children1 in lieu of placing such children in foster care1 in the event that such children's parents-- 7,a7 are diagnosed with ,,covid-#ai2 or 7,b7 are unable to care for their children due to health or economic concerns stemming from the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7#h7 provide access to legal assistance for relatives or fictive kin raising children with no parental involvement to make alternative plans for the children in the event the caregivers die or become unable to care for the children2 and 7#i7 carry out such other activities that enhance the ability of the ,state or territory to protect children and support families during the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7e7 ,no ,state match required ,a ,state or territory shall not be required to provide any additional funding for the ,state program under section #ajf of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act as a condition for receiving an allocation under subsection 7c74 7f7 ,reports ,each ,state or territory receiving an allotment under this section shall submit to the ,secretary1 every #f months until the amount so allotted has been fully expended1 a report detailing how such ,state or territory is using such allotment in accordance with the requirements of this section4 #c4 ,additional amount for community-based grants for the prevention of child abuse and neglect 7a7 ,appropriation ,there are hereby appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba1 for the purpose of providing additional funding for the community-based grants for the prevention of child abuse and neglect under title ,,ii of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaaf et seq471 in accordance with this section4 ,such amounts shall be in addition to other amounts made available for such purpose1 and shall remain available until expended4 7b7 ,emergency designation 7#a7 ,in general ,the amounts provided by this section are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7#b7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4 7c7 ,allotments ,as soon as practicable1 but not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall make allotments out of the amounts appropriated under subsection 7a7 to each ,state receiving an allotment under section #bjc of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaaf;b7 for fiscal year #bjbj1 in the same manner that amounts appropriated under section #bji of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaaf;i7 are allotted to ,states in accordance with section #bjc of such ,act1 except that1 in allotting amounts under this subsection-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7 of such section #bjc1 #a percent shall be deemed to be #e percent2 7#b7 in subsection 7b77#a77;,a7 of such section #bjc-- 7,a7 #gj percent shall be deemed to be #ajj percent2 and 7,b7 #age1jjj shall be deemed to be #a1jjj1jjj2 and 7#c7 subsections 7b77#a77;,b7 and 7c7 of such section #bjc shall not apply4 7d7 ,use of funds ,amounts received by a ,state under subsection 7c7 may be used1 consistent with title ,,ii of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act1 to-- 7#a7 provide services and supports to help families build protective factors linked to the prevention of child abuse and neglect2 7#b7 purchase emergency supplies and basic necessities for families1 which may include diapers and infant hygiene products1 formula1 non-perishable food1 water1 soap1 hand sanitizer1 and reusable cloth face coverings that are consistent with the guidelines of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention for preventing the spread of ,,covid-#ai among the general public2 7#c7 provide time-limited1 direct payments for families caring for children under protective services supervision 7either at home or in foster care7 who are applying for government-funded assistance programs1 to serve as a bridge until the family receives or is denied such assistance2 7#d7 maximize the participation of racial and ethnic minorities2 children and adults with disabilities2 families experiencing domestic violence2 families experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness2 families with low-incomes and families with caregivers recently unemployed2 lesbian1 gay1 bisexual1 transgender1 and queer youth2 relative and fictive kin caregivers and the children raised by such caregivers2 and young parents in community-based and prevention-focused programs designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect2 7#e7 bolster the efforts of the ,state hotlines by publicizing such hotlines1 hiring more staff1 and increasing hours of operation2 7#f7 establish satellite locations and mobile units for community based nonprofit organizations and family resource centers so families can access resources and services in a safe manner2 7#g7 hire1 and provide premium pay to1 social program navigators1 parent coaches1 and home visitors to reach more families2 7#h7 purchase technology1 including internet access1 for staff and families to support the prevention of child abuse and neglect1 and train staff and families to facilitate usage of such technology2 7#i7 develop and distribute parenting tip sheets and guides for families that address topics that may include-- 7,a7 children's responses to trauma caused by the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7,b7 adult self-care and stress management2 7,c7 familial conflict resolution and de-escalation2 7,d7 maintaining healthy attachments between caregivers and children1 and where appropriate1 birth parents2 7,e7 understanding the intersection of trauma with childhood development2 and 7,f7 other tips and advice pertinent to maintaining child and parent and caregiver well-being during the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7#aj7 develop and distribute mandatory reporter tip sheets and guides that address topics that may include-- 7,a7 recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect in a virtual environment2 7,b7 helping parents1 caregivers1 and kin access community supports to help families with non-safety concerns outside of the child welfare system2 and 7,c7 other tips or advice pertinent to recognizing and reporting child abuse or neglect1 or supporting families at risk of child abuse or neglect1 during the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7#aa7 access services related to mental health1 substance use disorder1 and domestic violence1 including infant-early childhood mental health services1 through consultants to train and support staff around the impacts of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 about the intersection of trauma with childhood development1 and establish or support local trauma response teams and the procedures to connect via remote technology2 7#ab7 assist community-based organizations operating programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect with operating costs to ensure that such organizations can continue providing services during the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7#ac7 prevent child fatalities and near fatalities1 including by-- 7,a7 providing support for crisis nurseries2 and 7,b7 conducting targeted educational campaigns for parents and caregivers2 and 7#ad7 carry out other programs1 services1 and activities that strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect4 7e7 ,no ,state match required ,notwithstanding section #bjd7d7 of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaaf;d7#d771 a ,state shall not be required to provide any additional funding for the program under title ,,ii of the ,child ,abuse ,prevention and ,treatment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaaf et seq47 as a condition for receiving an allocation under subsection 7c74 7f7 ,reports ,each ,state receiving an allotment under this section shall submit to the ,secretary1 every #f months until the amount so allotted has been fully expended1 a report detailing how such ,state is using such allotment in accordance with the requirements of this section4 #d4 ,additional amount for the national child abuse hotline 7a7 ,appropriation ,there are hereby appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #b1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba1 for the purpose of operating and expanding the national child abuse hotline1 including by publicizing such helpline1 hiring more staff1 and increasing hours of operation4 ,such amounts shall be in addition to other amounts made available for such purpose1 and shall remain available until expended4 7b7 ,emergency designation 7#a7 ,in general ,the amounts provided by this section are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7#b7 ,designation in ,senate ,in the ,senate1 this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4 #e4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,caseworker ,the term caseworker includes child welfare agency staff and staff of other related organizations1 such as in-home services or home visiting services4 7#b7 ,family ,the term family includes formal and informal kinship care arrangements4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4