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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00537]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

45 CFR Parts 205, 260, 261, and 263

RIN 0970-AC97

Strengthening Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as a 
Safety Net and Work Program; Withdrawal

AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in 
the Federal Register on October 2, 2023. The proposed rule would have 
amended the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program 
regulations to strengthen the safety net and reduce administrative 
burden.

DATES: The Administration for Children and Families is withdrawing the 
proposed rule published October 2, 2023 (88 FR 67697) as of January 14, 
2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Family Assistance, ACF, 
at [email protected] or 202-401-9275. Deaf and hard of hearing 
individuals may call 202-401-9275 through their chosen relay service or 
711 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Administration for Children and Families 
(ACF) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) related to the 
administration of TANF in the Federal Register on October 2, 2023 (88 
FR 67697). The NPRM proposed to (1) establish a ceiling on the term 
``needy''; (2) clarify when an expenditure is ``reasonably calculated 
to accomplish a TANF purpose''; (3) exclude as an allowable TANF 
maintenance-of-effort (MOE) expenditures cash donations from non-
governmental third parties and the value of third-party in-kind 
contributions; (4) ensure that excused holidays match the number of 
Federal holidays, following the recognition of Juneteenth as a Federal 
holiday; (5) develop new criteria to allow States to use alternative 
Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) measures; (6) clarify 
the ``significant progress'' criteria following a work participation 
rate corrective compliance plan; and (7) clarify the existing 
regulatory text about the allowability of costs associated with 
disseminating program information.
    However, upon further consideration, the Department has elected to 
withdraw the Strengthening TANF as a Safety Net and Work Program Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on 10/02/2023, 
effective January 14, 2025. The Department appreciates the more than 
7,000 comments received from State agencies, advocates and a broad 
range of additional stakeholders. In making the decision to withdraw 
the NPRM, the Department continues to recognize the importance of 
rulemaking to ensure that TANF funds are used in a manner consistent 
with statutory requirements. However, the Department has determined 
that it could benefit from additional public input and consideration on 
a set of issues relating to allowable TANF spending before adopting a 
final rule. With the time left in this Administration, the Department 
is focusing on other matters, including implementing the TANF 
provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, and it is not 
feasible to solicit additional public comments. The Department has 
concluded that withdrawing the NPRM will assure agency flexibility in 
re-examining and exploring options and alternatives with stakeholders 
in the future prior to developing an NPRM that could draw from this 
additional stakeholder engagement. For these independently sufficient 
reasons, the Department is withdrawing this NPRM.
    The NPRM published on October 2, 2023, is hereby withdrawn.

    Dated: January 7, 2025.
Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2025-00537 Filed 1-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-36-P
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