H.R. 8743 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8743 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 13, 2024Mr. Smucker (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to promote permanency for youth by strengthening support networks for children, youth, and families at risk of entering the child welfare system. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering Kinship Caregivers and Youth through Title IV–B Act. 2. Supplementation of definitions Section 431(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking children and inserting children, youth,; and (ii) by striking adoptive and extended and inserting kinship and adoptive; (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking parents and other caregivers (including foster parents) and inserting parents, kinship caregivers, and foster parents ; (C) by striking and at the end of subparagraph (E); (D) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting ; and; and (E) by adding at the end the following: (G) peer-to-peer mentoring and support programs designed to help children and families learn from others with direct experience or interactions with the child welfare system. ; (2) in paragraph (2)(B)— (A) in clause (i), by striking children and inserting children, youth,; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking extended and inserting kinship; (3) in paragraph (7)(A), by inserting with kinship caregivers or before in a foster family home; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (10) Youth The term youth means individuals who have not attained 26 years of age. .