Summary
Supporting America’s Children and Families Act
TITLE I--CHILD WELFARE REAUTHORIZATION AND MODERNIZATION
Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act
This title reauthorizes through FY2029 certain child and family services and modifies programs related to prevention services, youth in foster care, parental substance use disorder, and kinship caregiving, which are generally administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).
First, the title reauthorizes funding through FY2029 for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services and the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs. It also requires 3% of allocated funding to be paid directly to Indian tribes.
The title also reauthorizes through FY2029 the Court Improvement Program and requires the ACF to issue guidance for technological changes necessary to conduct proceedings remotely.
The title reauthorizes through FY2029 and revises regional partnership grants for services to families affected by substance use disorders.
The ACF also must review administrative requirements for state child welfare agencies and explore ways to reduce the compliance time.
The title also authorizes grants to states and other specified organizations to evaluate child and family services and kinship navigator programs.
Further, state plans for child welfare services must describe how states may offer virtual caseworker visits to youth in care who are over 18 and have consented to such visits.
The title also authorizes family preservation and family support services for youth under the age of 26. It also includes within the definition of family preservation services nonrecurring, short-term benefits that address immediate needs related to a specific crisis, such as supports for housing or food assistance.
The title also reauthorizes grants to states for caseworker support and authorizes demonstration grants to support relationships between foster children and their incarcerated parents.
Finally, the title modifies certain requirements regarding data collection and technical assistance for programs relating to behavioral health services, and it requires the ACF to report on post-adoption and guardianship services.
The title takes effect on October 1, 2025.
TITLE II--STRENGTHENING STATE AND TRIBAL CHILD SUPPORT
Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act
This title permits tribal child support enforcement agencies to access the Federal Tax Refund Offset Program to collect past-due child support payments from the federal tax refunds of noncustodial parents.
Additionally, the title authorizes the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration to disclose certain tax return information to tribal child support enforcement agencies. Such information may be disclosed to establish and collect child support obligations from, and to locate, those individuals owing such obligations. The title also explicitly authorizes state and tribal child support enforcement agencies to disclose necessary information to contractors for these purposes.
The title also permits the ACF to reimburse tribal agencies for certain reporting costs related to the Federal Parent Locator Service.
Lifecycle of the Bill
Sep 18, 2024
HousePassed
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
405 Yes
10 No
VoteSuspensionHouseBipartisan
The House of Representatives passed the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076) under a suspension of the rules, a procedure typically reserved for non-controversial legislation that requires a two-thirds majority. The bill aims to strengthen social services and support systems for vulnerable youth and families across the country. By passing this measure, the House has moved to reauthorize and update key federal programs focused on child welfare and family stability. The vote demonstrated significant bipartisan cooperation, with 204 Democrats and 201 Republicans voting in favor. Only 10 Republicans voted against the measure, while no Democrats opposed it. This high level of consensus suggests broad agreement on the necessity of these family support services and the specific reforms included in the amended version of the bill. Because the bill passed the House, it now moves to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate passes the legislation in the same form, it will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. This vote represents a major step toward ensuring that federal resources for child protection and family assistance remain active and updated for current needs.
Sep 18, 2024
HousePassed
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
405 Yes
10 No
VoteSuspensionHouseBipartisan
The House of Representatives passed the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076) under a suspension of the rules, a procedure typically reserved for non-controversial legislation that requires a two-thirds majority. The bill aims to strengthen social services and support systems for vulnerable youth and families across the country. By passing this measure, the House has moved to reauthorize and update key federal programs focused on child welfare and family stability. The vote demonstrated significant bipartisan cooperation, with 204 Democrats and 201 Republicans voting in favor. Only 10 Republicans voted against the measure, while no Democrats opposed it. This high level of consensus suggests broad agreement on the necessity of these family support services and the specific reforms included in the amended version of the bill. Because the bill passed the House, it now moves to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate passes the legislation in the same form, it will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. This vote represents a major step toward ensuring that federal resources for child protection and family assistance remain active and updated for current needs.
Congress
118th Congress
Introduced
Jul 22, 2024
