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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3501 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 3501

   To provide greater support for grandfamilies and older caregiver 
                               relatives.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 13, 2023

Mr. Casey (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Brown) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                                Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To provide greater support for grandfamilies and older caregiver 
                               relatives.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Grandfamilies Act of 2023''.

SEC. 2. INCREASING ACCESS TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN WHO 
              LIVE WITH GRANDPARENTS OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 
et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 202(d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except as 
                provided in paragraph (9),'' before ``was dependent''; 
                and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
    ``(9)(A) In the case of a child who is the child of an individual 
under clause (3) of the first sentence of section 216(e) and is not a 
child of such individual under clause (1) or (2) of such first 
sentence, the criteria specified in subparagraph (B) shall apply 
instead of the criteria specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1).
    ``(B) The criteria of this subparagraph are that--
            ``(i) the child has been living with such individual in the 
        United States for a period of not less than 12 months;
            ``(ii) the child has been receiving not less than \1/2\ of 
        the child's support from such individual for a period of not 
        less than 12 months; and
            ``(iii) the period during which the child was living with 
        such individual began before the child attained age 18.
    ``(C) In the case of a child who is less than 12 months old, such 
child shall be deemed to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) if, 
on the date the child attains 1 year of age, such child has lived with 
such individual in the United States and received at least \1/2\ of the 
child's support from such individual for substantially all of the 
period which began on the date of such child's birth.''; and
            (2) in section 216(e), in the first sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``grandchild or stepgrandchild of 
                an individual or his spouse'' and inserting 
                ``grandchild, stepgrandchild, or other first-degree, 
                second-degree, third-degree, fourth-degree, or fifth-
                degree relative of an individual or the individual's 
                spouse'';
                    (B) by striking ``was no natural or adoptive 
                parent'' and inserting ``is no living natural or 
                adoptive parent'';
                    (C) by striking ``was under a disability'' and 
                inserting ``is under a disability'';
                    (D) by striking ``living at the time'' and all that 
                follows through ``, or (B)'' and inserting ``, (B)''; 
                and
                    (E) by inserting ``, or (C) the person has been in 
                the custody of such individual pursuant to a court 
                order for a period of not less than 12 months'' before 
                the first period.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 202(d)(1) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(d)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)'' and 
        inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and (B) and subparagraph (C) or 
        paragraph (9) (as applicable)''; and
            (2) by striking ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting 
        ``subparagraph (B) and subparagraph (C) or paragraph (9) (as 
        applicable)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO TANF FOR CHILDREN, OLDER CAREGIVER 
              RELATIVES, AND CAREGIVER RELATIVES CARING FOR A CHILD 
              WITH A DISABILITY.

    (a) Broadening Good Cause Exception to Requirement To Provide 
Information on Noncustodial Parents.--Section 454(29)(A)(i) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654(29)(A)(i)) is amended by striking 
``best interests of the child'' and inserting ``best interests of the 
child, including, if enforcement procedures against a non-custodial 
parent of the child are initiated, whether such procedures will impede 
the parent's ability to reunify with the child in the future''.
    (b) Disregard of Nonparent Caregiver Relative Income, Assets, and 
Resources in Child-Only Cases.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new paragraph:
            ``(13) Disregard of income, assets, and resources for 
        nonparent caregiver relatives in child-only cases.--
                    ``(A) In general.--With respect to a minor child 
                who does not reside in the same household as a parent 
                of the child, a State to which a grant is made under 
                section 403 shall not take into account the income, 
                assets, or resources of such child's nonparent 
                caregiver relative who is not seeking assistance under 
                the State program funded under this part or any other 
                State program funded with qualified State expenditures 
                (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on their own 
                behalf in determining whether the child is eligible for 
                assistance under any such program, or in determining 
                the amount or types of such assistance to be provided 
                to the child.
                    ``(B) Exception.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
                in the case of a State program--
                            ``(i) that is operated specifically for 
                        children living with nonparent caregiver 
                        relatives;
                            ``(ii) that provides monthly financial 
                        assistance to a child living with a nonparent 
                        caregiver relative in an amount that is greater 
                        than the amount of assistance that the child 
                        would receive on the child's own behalf under 
                        the State program funded under this part;
                            ``(iii) that is separate from the State 
                        program funded under this part; and
                            ``(iv) that is described in the State plan 
                        submitted under section 402.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(17) Penalty for failure to disregard income, assets, and 
        resources of nonparent caregiver relative in child-only 
        cases.--If the Secretary determines that a State to which a 
        grant is made under section 403 in a fiscal year has violated 
        section 408(a)(13) during the fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
        reduce the grant payable to the State under section 403(a)(1) 
        for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal 
        to 3 percent of the State family assistance grant.''.
    (c) Eliminating 5-Year Cap on Assistance in Child-Only Cases.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a)(7) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) No limit for child-only cases.--A State shall 
                not limit the number of months of assistance under the 
                State program funded under this part or any other State 
                program funded with qualified State expenditures (as 
                defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) for a family in 
                which all adults in the family--
                            ``(i) are nonparent caregiver relatives of 
                        a child who does not reside in the same 
                        household of the parent of the child; and
                            ``(ii) do not receive assistance under the 
                        State program funded under this part or any 
                        other State program funded with qualified 
                        expenditures (as defined in section 
                        409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on their own behalf.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``(other than 
                subparagraph (H))'' after ``section 408(a)(7)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(18) Penalty for failure to comply with 5-year cap 
        exemptions.--If the Secretary determines that a State to which 
        a grant is made under section 403 in a fiscal year has violated 
        subparagraph (H) of section 408(a)(7) during the fiscal year, 
        the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the State under 
        section 403(a)(1) for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by 
        an amount equal to 3 percent of the State family assistance 
        grant''.
    (d) Exemption From Work Requirements for Nonparent Caregiver 
Relatives in Child-Only Cases.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408 of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 608) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(h) State Required To Exempt Nonparent Caregiver Relatives From 
Work Participation in Child-Only Cases.--A State shall not require an 
individual to engage in work if the individual--
            ``(1) is the nonparent caregiver relative of a child who 
        does not reside in the same household as a parent of the child; 
        and
            ``(2) resides in a household in which no adult receives 
        assistance under the State program funded under this part or 
        any other State program funded with qualified expenditures (as 
        defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on their own behalf.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(19) Penalty for failure to comply with work 
        participation exemptions.--If the Secretary determines that a 
        State to which a grant is made under section 403 in a fiscal 
        year has violated subsection (h) of section 408 during the 
        fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to 
        the State under section 403(a)(1) for the immediately 
        succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to 3 percent of the 
        State family assistance grant.''.
    (e) Eliminating 5-Year Cap on Assistance for Older Caregiver 
Relatives and Caregiver Relatives Caring for a Child With a 
Disability.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a)(7) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)), as amended by subsection (c)(1), is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(I) Non-application of limit to older caregiver 
                relatives and caregiver relatives caring for a child 
                with a disability.--
                            ``(i) No limit for older caregiver 
                        relatives and caregiver relatives caring for a 
                        child with a disability.--Subparagraph (A) 
                        shall not apply and a State shall not limit the 
                        number of months of assistance under the State 
                        program funded under this part or any other 
                        State program funded with qualified State 
                        expenditures (as defined in section 
                        409(a)(7)(B)(i)) based on receipt of such 
                        assistance by an individual who is an older 
                        caregiver relative or a caregiver relative 
                        caring for a child with a disability (as such 
                        terms are defined for purposes of paragraph 
                        (14)).
                            ``(ii) Disregard of months of assistance.--
                        In determining the number of months for which a 
                        family that includes an adult who has received 
                        assistance under the State program funded under 
                        this part or any other State program funded 
                        with qualified State expenditures (as defined 
                        in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)), the State shall 
                        disregard any month for which such assistance 
                        was provided with respect to the family during 
                        which such adult was an older caregiver 
                        relative or a caregiver relative caring for a 
                        child with a disability (as such terms are 
                        defined for purposes of paragraph (14)).''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``or (I)'' after 
                ``subparagraph (H)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (18), by inserting ``or (I)'' 
                after ``subparagraph (H)''.
    (f) Exemption From Work Requirements for Older Caregiver Relatives 
and Caregiver Relatives Caring for a Child With a Disability.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408 of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 608), by subsection (d)(1), is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(i) State Required To Exempt Caregiver Relatives From Work 
Participation Where Caregiver Receives Assistance.--A State shall not 
require an individual to engage in work, and, at the option of the 
State and on a case-by-case basis, may disregard such individual in 
determining the participation rates under section 407(a), if the 
individual--
            ``(1) is an older caregiver relative or a caregiver 
        relative caring for a child with a disability (as such terms 
        are defined for purposes of subsection (a)(14)); and
            ``(2) directly receives assistance on the individual's own 
        behalf under the State program funded under this part or any 
        other State program funded with qualified expenditures (as 
        defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)).''.
            (2) Penalty.--Paragraph (18) of section 409(a) of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)), as added by subsection 
        (d)(2), is amended by inserting ``or (i)'' after ``subsection 
        (h)''.
            (3) Conforming amendments.--402(a)(1)(A) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by inserting ``and subject to 
                subsection (h) and (i) of section 408'' before the 
                period; and
                    (B) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and subject to 
                subsection (h) and (i) of section 408'' before the 
                period.
    (g) Disregard of Income, Assets, and Resources for Older Caregiver 
Relatives.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 608(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(14) Disregard of income, assets, and resources for older 
        caregiver relatives and caregiver relatives caring for a child 
        with a disability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In determining the eligibility 
                for, and amount of, assistance under the State program 
                funded under this part or any other State program 
                funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in 
                section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) for a family that includes an 
                individual who is an older caregiver relative (as 
                defined in subparagraph (B)) or a caregiver relative 
                caring for a child with a disability (as defined in 
                subparagraph (C)), a State to which a grant is made 
                under section 403 shall not take into account the 
                income, assets, or resources of that individual.
                    ``(B) Definition of older caregiver relative.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For purposes of this 
                        paragraph, the term `older caregiver relative' 
                        means an individual who--
                                    ``(I) subject to clause (ii), has 
                                attained age 55; and
                                    ``(II) is the primary caregiver for 
                                a minor child who--
                                            ``(aa) is living with the 
                                        individual;
                                            ``(bb) does not have a 
                                        parent living in the home; and
                                            ``(cc) is a grandchild, 
                                        stepgrandchild, or other first-
                                        degree, second-degree, third-
                                        degree, fourth-degree, or 
                                        fifth-degree relative of the 
                                        individual or the individual's 
                                        spouse.
                            ``(ii) State option to modify age 
                        criterion.--At the option of a State, such term 
                        shall include an individual who has not 
                        attained age 55.
                            ``(iii) Determination to be made by 
                        state.--The determination of whether an 
                        individual meets the criteria described in 
                        clause (i)(II) shall be made by the State.
                    ``(C) Definition of caregiver relative caring for a 
                child with a disability.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For purposes of this 
                        paragraph, the term `caregiver relative caring 
                        for a child with a disability' means an 
                        individual, regardless of age, who is the 
                        primary caregiver for a minor child who--
                                    ``(I) is living with the 
                                individual;
                                    ``(II) is a child, grandchild, 
                                stepgrandchild, or other first-degree, 
                                second-degree, third-degree, fourth-
                                degree, or fifth-degree relative of the 
                                individual or the individual's spouse; 
                                and
                                    ``(III) has a disability, as 
                                defined in section 3 of the Americans 
                                with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
                                U.S.C. 12102)).
                            ``(ii) Determination to be made by state.--
                        The determination of whether an individual 
                        meets the criteria described in clause (i) 
                        shall be made by the State.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(20) Penalty for failure to disregard income, assets, and 
        resources for older caregiver relatives.--If the Secretary 
        determines that a State to which a grant is made under section 
        403 in a fiscal year has violated section 408(a)(14) during the 
        fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to 
        the State under section 403(a)(1) for the immediately 
        succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to 3 percent of the 
        State family assistance grant.''.
    (h) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first 
        day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Delay permitted.--
                    (A) In general.--Before the date described in 
                subparagraph (B), a State plan under title IV of the 
                Social Security Act shall not be regarded as failing to 
                comply with an additional requirement imposed on the 
                plan by this section if the Secretary of Health and 
                Human Services determines that such additional 
                requirement--
                            (i) requires State legislation (other than 
                        legislation appropriating funds) in order for 
                        the plan to meet such additional requirement; 
                        or
                            (ii) could not practicably be met by the 
                        plan before such date.
                    (B) Date described.--For purposes of subparagraph 
                (A), the date described in this subparagraph is, with 
                respect to a State, 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 section. 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.

SEC. 4. IMPROVING THE COLLECTION OF CHILD SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES 
              RECEIVING TANF ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 454 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
654) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (30) through (34) as 
        paragraphs (31) through (35), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (29) the following:
            ``(30) include a description of--
                    ``(A) the methods used by the State to determine 
                whether an individual who has applied for or is 
                receiving assistance under the State program funded 
                under part A, the State program under part E, the State 
                program under title XIX, or the supplemental nutrition 
                assistance program, as defined under section 3(h) of 
                the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(h)), 
                is cooperating in good faith with the State in 
                establishing paternity or in establishing, modifying, 
                or enforcing a support order, as provided in paragraph 
                (29);
                    ``(B) the State's process for determining in a 
                timely manner whether such an individual satisfies the 
                cooperation requirement described in subparagraph (A) 
                due to the individual's participation in another State 
                or Federal assistance program;
                    ``(C) the good cause or other exceptions to the 
                cooperation requirement that the State recognizes, 
                including an explanation of any special requirements or 
                considerations for a relative caregiver seeking to 
                apply for such an exception; and
                    ``(D) how the State makes clear to an individual 
                who has applied for or is receiving assistance under a 
                program referred to in subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) what, if anything, the individual 
                        needs to do in order to satisfy the cooperation 
                        requirement, including explaining to the 
                        individual how the individual might satisfy the 
                        requirement through participation in another 
                        State or Federal assistance program;
                            ``(ii) the effect on the individual's 
                        eligibility to receive assistance under a 
                        program referred to in subparagraph (A), and 
                        under other State or Federal assistance 
                        programs, if the individual fails to satisfy 
                        the cooperation requirement; and
                            ``(iii) the good cause or other exceptions 
                        to the cooperation requirement for which the 
                        individual may be eligible, including if a 
                        standard of proof is required to qualify for 
                        each exception and an explanation of any 
                        special requirements or considerations for 
                        caregiver relatives;''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 452(k)(1), by striking ``section 454(31)'' 
        and inserting ``section 454(32)''; and
            (2) in section 454, in the matter following paragraph (35) 
        (as redesignated by subsection (a)) by striking ``paragraph 
        (33)'' and inserting ``paragraph (34)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. ENCOURAGING STATES TO ADOPT TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Section 474(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 674(a)(7)) is amended by inserting ``(or, in the case of a State 
that has in effect for the quarter a temporary guardianship law (as 
defined in section 475(14)), 75 percent)'' after ``50 percent''.
    (b) Definition.--Section 475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
675) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(14)(A) The term `temporary guardianship law' means a State law 
that allows for the establishment, by operation of such law and through 
an easily navigable simple civil process, of a relationship between a 
child and a nonparent caregiver who has taken responsibility for caring 
for the child in the absence of the child's parents in which some of 
the parental rights with respect to the child are transferred to the 
caregiver for a specified period of time which may be extended or 
renewed, except that the total period of time for which such rights are 
transferred to the caregiver (including any extensions or renewals) 
shall not exceed a maximum period of time (as established by the 
State).
    ``(B) Under the process established under a law described in 
subparagraph (A)--
            ``(i) court fees shall be waived or reduced; and
            ``(ii) any court forms or filings related to the process 
        are easy enough to understand that a nonparent caregiver who 
        has taken responsibility for caring for the child in the 
        absence of the child's parents could reasonably complete such 
        forms or filings without legal assistance.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. GUIDANCE.

    (a) Guidance to States on Ensuring Awareness of Child Welfare 
System Among Kinship Caregivers.--Not later than the first day of the 
first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance to 
States on ways to ensure that kinship caregivers who receive assistance 
under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or any other State program funded 
with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 
409(a)(7)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i))) are--
            (1) provided with information about any appropriate 
        assistance and services available to them through the child 
        welfare system of the State, including eligibility for foster 
        care licensure and pathways to guardianship assistance programs 
        or adoption subsidies, and how to access such assistance and 
        services; and
            (2) referred to any kinship navigator program operated by 
        the State.
    (b) Guidance on Coordinating Assistance for Caregivers.--Not later 
than the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall issue guidance for States identifying options for State programs, 
including programs funded under title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), programs funded under the Older Americans Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), and other relevant programs that are 
jointly funded or administered by States and the Federal Government, to 
collaborate, coordinate, and streamline outreach to, and processing of 
applications of assistance, for grandparents and older relative 
caregivers or kinship caregivers caring for grandchildren and other 
relative children residing with them. The options identified in such 
guidance shall include best practices for State programs to coordinate 
with the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and 
Kinship Families established under section 2922 of the American Rescue 
Plan Act (42 U.S.C. 3020g).

SEC. 7. STATE SUPPORT PLANS FOR GRANDPARENTS CARING FOR GRANDCHILDREN.

    (a) In General.--Not later than the first day of the first fiscal 
year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, from amounts 
appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall award grants to States for purposes of developing 
State support plans for grandparents caring for grandchildren and other 
relatives caring for relative children.
    (b) Requirements.--A State support plan for grandparents caring for 
grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children that is 
funded by a grant under this section shall include the following:
            (1) An initial assessment of the state of grandparents 
        caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for 
        relative children in the State.
            (2) A plan for how appropriate State agencies can 
        collaborate in their efforts to provide financial support, 
        housing services, and other services and supports to 
        grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives 
        caring for relative children.
            (3) Steps that the State proposes to take over the next 5 
        years to ensure that grandparents caring for grandchildren and 
        other relatives caring for relative children have necessary 
        resources.
            (4) A plan to simplify or combine application requirements 
        for State public assistance programs to reduce administrative 
        burdens on recipients, with a focus on families consisting of 
        grandparents or other older caregiver relatives raising 
        relative children.
            (5) A plan to incorporate in the State support plan--
                    (A) at least 1 recommendation from the most recent 
                report to Congress of the Advisory Council to Support 
                Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (provided that such 
                report was released not more than 5 years before the 
                date on which the State is awarded a grant under this 
                section); or
                    (B) least 1 recommendation from the Administration 
                for Community Living.
    (c) Coordination With National Technical Assistance Center on 
Grandfamilies and Kinship Families.--The National Technical Assistance 
Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families established under section 
2922 of the American Rescue Plan Act (42 U.S.C. 3020g) is encouraged to 
coordinate with States on the development of State support plans funded 
by grants under this section.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out this section.

SEC. 8. GRANDFAMILIES AND KINSHIP FAMILIES ALLIANCE GRANTS.

    (a) Purpose.--The purposes of this section are--
            (1) to provide funds, through the Administration for 
        Community Living, to strengthen and support grassroots efforts 
        that address the unique needs of grandfamilies or kinship 
        families, including those supporting children with disabilities 
        or those navigating through mental health concerns or trauma; 
        and
            (2) to establish cross-sector partnerships, in order to 
        establish interagency collaborations and foster the integration 
        of new or existing activities, designed to increase the health, 
        well-being, financial security, or legal standing of members of 
        grandfamilies or kinship families.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Administration for Community Living.
            (2) Cross-sector.--The term ``cross-sector'', used with 
        respect to an entity, means that members of the entity 
        represent different service-related sectors, such as aging, 
        child welfare, income support, food and nutrition, legal, 
        health and mental health, education, housing, or disability 
        services.
            (3) Cross-sector partnership.--The term ``cross-sector 
        partnership'' means an alliance, or other partnership, that--
                    (A) is cross-sector in nature; and
                    (B) serves a local (which may be regional) area.
            (4) Educational provider.--The term ``educational 
        provider'' includes an institution of higher education, 
        including such an institution that is a junior or community 
        college (as defined in section 312(f) of the Higher Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f))), and a secondary school (as 
        defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).
            (5) Grandfamily or kinship family.--The term ``grandfamily 
        or kinship family'' means a family in which a child resides 
        with and is being raised by a grandparent, another extended 
        family member, or an adult with whom the child has a close 
        family-like relationship, such as a godparent or a close family 
        friend.
            (6) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (7) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (8) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
        Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.
    (c) Grant Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator, acting directly, or by 
        contract with another entity, shall carry out a grant program. 
        In carrying out the program, the Administrator shall make 
        grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities. The 
        Administrator shall make the grants for periods of 5 years and 
        in amounts of not less than $200,000 per year.
            (2) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
        under this section, an entity shall--
                    (A) be a nonprofit organization, State or local 
                agency (including an area agency on aging as defined in 
                section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
                U.S.C. 3002)), an Indian Tribe, or an educational 
                provider in 1 or more States; and
                    (B) have a proven record of supporting members of 
                grandfamilies or kinship families and convening key 
                stakeholders to address an issue related to 
                grandfamilies or kinship families.
            (3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this section, an entity shall submit an application with 
        respect to a cross-sector partnership to the Administrator, at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
        the Administrator may require, including--
                    (A) information that demonstrates the entity's 
                capacity for establishing and sustaining cross-system 
                partnerships aimed at improving the health, well-being, 
                financial security, or legal standing of grandfamily or 
                kinship family members;
                    (B) information that demonstrates the entity sought 
                and included, or an assurance that the entity will seek 
                and include, input from key stakeholders, including 
                members of grandfamilies or kinship families, when 
                establishing the partnership and identifying relevant 
                activities;
                    (C) a plan from the entity to incorporate in the 
                activities carried out under the grant--
                            (i) at least 1 recommendation from the most 
                        recent report to Congress of the Advisory 
                        Council to Support Grandparents Raising 
                        Grandchildren (provided that such report was 
                        released not more than 5 years before the date 
                        on which the entity submits its application for 
                        a grant under this section); or
                            (ii) at least 1 recommendation from the 
                        Administration for Community Living;
                    (D) information that demonstrates that the cross-
                sector partnership involved has developed or adopted, 
                or an assurance that the partnership will develop or 
                adopt, well-defined activities that are evidence-
                informed or trauma specific or trauma informed, to 
                enhance the health, well-being, financial security, or 
                legal standing of grandfamilies or kinship families;
                    (E)(i) memoranda from at least 3 organizations that 
                are cross-sector stakeholders that indicate the 
                organizations will participate in the cross-sector 
                partnership;
                    (ii) an assurance that at least 1 participating 
                stakeholder organization, or the lead entity itself, 
                will be an institution of higher education that 
                provides not less than a 2-year program that is 
                acceptable for full credit toward a degree; and
                    (iii) an assurance that the contributions of the 
                participating stakeholder organizations will be 
                reflected in the programmatic budget of the 
                partnership;
                    (F) information that demonstrates how the eligible 
                entity will work with the cross-sector partnership to 
                align existing (as of the date of submission of the 
                application) activities to support members of 
                grandfamilies or kinship families;
                    (G) information that demonstrates how the eligible 
                entity will identify, support, and provide stipends to 
                volunteers to support the goals of the cross-sector 
                partnership, which volunteers may include--
                            (i) volunteers or participants of 
                        AmeriCorps programs under the National and 
                        Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12501 
                        et seq.) or the Domestic Volunteer Service Act 
                        of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.), the National 
                        Community Care Corps program supported by the 
                        Administration for Community Living, or any 
                        other federally-funded program supporting 
                        volunteers in community service;
                            (ii) community members; or
                            (iii) students at an institution of higher 
                        education who are seeking internships or direct 
                        volunteer experiences;
                    (H) information that identifies potential members 
                of a cross-sector advisory council that--
                            (i) will be comprised of at least 7 
                        members, and on which a majority of members are 
                        or have in the past been members of 
                        grandfamilies or kinship families; and
                            (ii) will advise the partnership on 
                        activities to be carried out under the grant; 
                        and
                    (I) a plan developed by the eligible entity to work 
                in partnership with technical resource centers 
                supported by the Administration for Community Living, 
                including the National Technical Assistance Center on 
                Grandfamilies and Kinship Families established under 
                section 2922 of the American Rescue Plan Act (42 U.S.C. 
                3020g), on activities related to the objectives for the 
                grant.
            (4) Preferences.--In determining which entities shall 
        receive grants under this section, the Administrator shall give 
        preference to entities that--
                    (A) provide geographic diversity, including 
                entities that serve rural localities;
                    (B) support children who have been orphaned by the 
                COVID-19 pandemic or opioid crisis;
                    (C) have capacity to provide culturally appropriate 
                activities;
                    (D) demonstrate capacity to work with educational 
                systems, including systems for early childhood 
                education or elementary education;
                    (E) support children with disabilities living with 
                a grandfamily or kinship family; or
                    (F) identify as a lived experience entity, which 
                are organizations, groups, or collaborations whose 
                primary mission is to put people with lived experience 
                in grandfamilies or kinship families in a position to 
                support other individuals going through similar 
                experiences.
            (5) Uses of funds.--
                    (A) Required uses.--An entity that receives a grant 
                under this section shall use the grant funds--
                            (i) to establish or sustain a cross-sector 
                        partnership to strengthen and support 
                        grassroots efforts that address the unique 
                        needs of grandfamilies or kinship families, 
                        including those supporting children with 
                        disabilities or those navigating through mental 
                        health concerns or trauma;
                            (ii) to foster the integration of new or 
                        existing activities designed to increase the 
                        health, well-being, financial security, or 
                        legal standing of members of grandfamilies or 
                        kinship families; and
                            (iii) to promote peer-to-peer support 
                        efforts, including such efforts through support 
                        groups, social activities, or educational 
                        training.
                    (B) Allowable uses.--An entity that receives a 
                grant under this section may use the grant funds--
                            (i) to support volunteer efforts related to 
                        objectives of the partnership, including 
                        conducting outreach to and providing stipends 
                        for members of grandfamilies or kinship 
                        families participating in advisory councils 
                        described in paragraph (3)(H), or providing 
                        peer-to-peer supports described in subparagraph 
                        (A)(iii), who are not otherwise being paid for 
                        such participation or supports;
                            (ii) for staff positions for the 
                        partnership;
                            (iii) to conduct a gap and asset analysis 
                        and to raise awareness of the needs of 
                        grandfamilies or kinship families within the 
                        local area served;
                            (iv) to support technology and software 
                        needs related to the partnership;
                            (v) to reimburse project-related mileage 
                        for staff and volunteers;
                            (vi) to attend grant recipient trainings or 
                        other meetings with technical resource centers 
                        supported by the Administration for Community 
                        Living; or
                            (vii) to help grandfamilies or kinship 
                        families coordinate benefits or assistance 
                        under any Federal program or any State or local 
                        program financed in whole or in part with 
                        Federal funds.
            (6) Supplement not supplant.--Amounts made available under 
        this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other 
        Federal, State, and local public funds expended to provide 
        services for grandfamilies or kinship families.
            (7) Annual report.--
                    (A) Information from grant recipients.--Each 
                recipient of a grant under this section shall annually 
                submit to the Administrator information consisting of--
                            (i) the number of individuals and 
                        organizations supported by the partnership 
                        funded by the grant, including the number of 
                        people who received direct services or training 
                        from the local activities carried out under 
                        this section and the estimated number of people 
                        who were impacted by the activities;
                            (ii) demographic data, including the age, 
                        sex, ethnicity, disability status, and race of 
                        those supported by the partnership;
                            (iii) the number of and demographic data 
                        for volunteers involved in supporting the 
                        objectives of the activities and the number of 
                        people who benefited from the contributions of 
                        volunteers;
                            (iv) recommendations to align and 
                        coordinate activities across service-related 
                        sectors, such as aging, child welfare, income 
                        support, food and nutrition, legal, health and 
                        mental health, or education services, for 
                        members of grandfamilies or kinship families, 
                        and lessons learned and promising practices 
                        developed during the year; and
                            (v) ways in which the project supported by 
                        the grant has engaged individuals with 
                        experience related to being a member of a 
                        grandfamily or kinship family in the design, 
                        implementation, and feedback related to the 
                        project.
                    (B) Report by administrator.--Not later than 2 
                years after the date of enactment of this Act and every 
                year thereafter, the Administrator shall--
                            (i) prepare, based on the information 
                        submitted under subparagraph (A), a report on 
                        the impact of the program carried out under 
                        this section; and
                            (ii) submit the report to--
                                    (I) the Committee on Health, 
                                Education, Labor, and Pensions, the 
                                Special Committee on Aging, and the 
                                Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
                                    (II) the Committee on Education and 
                                Labor and the Committee on Ways and 
                                Means of the House of Representatives.
            (8) Evaluation.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall reserve 
                not more than 10 percent of the funds made available 
                under this section for administrative purposes.
                    (B) Evaluation.--The Administrator shall use funds 
                reserved under subparagraph (A) for evaluation in the 
                aggregate of the local activities supported by the 
                grants.
                    (C) Permissible uses of funds.--The Administrator 
                shall use the reserved funds for administrative 
                purposes that may include--
                            (i) the establishment of an interagency 
                        task force to evaluate the recommendations 
                        provided by grant recipients under paragraph 
                        (7)(A)(iv), to foster Federal coordination 
                        related to activities for grandfamilies or 
                        kinship families;
                            (ii) support for the Administration for 
                        Community Living's Research, Demonstration, and 
                        Evaluation Center for the Aging Network, 
                        established under section 201(g) of the Older 
                        Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3011(g));
                            (iii) evaluation described in subparagraph 
                        (B) by an independent evaluator, separate from 
                        any of the grant recipients, hired by the 
                        Administrator; and
                            (iv) hosting, not less than annually, 
                        learning collaboratives with the grant 
                        recipients.
            (9) Funds.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
        out this section $8,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
        through 2028.
                                 <all>
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