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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 961 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 961

To create the income security conditions and family supports needed to 
 ensure permanency for the Nation's unaccompanied youth, and for other 
                               purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 12, 2011

  Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Begich) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                                Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To create the income security conditions and family supports needed to 
 ensure permanency for the Nation's unaccompanied youth, and for other 
                               purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; ETC.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Reconnecting Youth 
to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2011''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; etc.
  TITLE I--PREVENTION OF UNACCOMPANIED SITUATIONS AMONG CHILD WELFARE 
                                 GROUPS

Sec. 101. Curtailment of involuntary separation of children from their 
                            families.
Sec. 102. GAO report on unaccompanied youth access to the child welfare 
                            system.
Sec. 103. Discharge from child welfare system.
Sec. 104. Demonstration project for improving permanency for youth in 
                            foster care.
Sec. 105. Expansion of eligibility to participate in Good Neighbor Next 
                            Door program for foster care alumni.
Sec. 106. Demonstration project for improving family relationships and 
                            reducing homelessness for LGBT youth.
      TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CHILD WELFARE SERVICES TO OLDER YOUTH

Sec. 201. Eligibility for foster care maintenance payments, adoption 
                            assistance payments, and kinship 
                            guardianship assistance through age 20.
Sec. 202. Improvements to John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence 
                            Program.
                    TITLE III--YOUNG FAMILY CONCERNS

Sec. 301. TANF State plan amendment.
Sec. 302. Adult-supervised living arrangements.
Sec. 303. Suspension of time limit for young adult parent involved in 
                            education or training.
Sec. 304. Transitional compliance.
Sec. 305. Sanction protections for minor parents.
Sec. 306. Teen parent study and report.
                      TITLE IV--WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Sec. 401. Inclusion of homeless youth as qualified population for Work 
                            Opportunity Credit.
   TITLE V--SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS

Sec. 501. Limitation on use of social security or supplemental security 
                            income benefits paid to representative 
                            payees on behalf of foster children for 
                            State costs.
Sec. 502. Screening of foster children for eligibility for social 
                            security and supplemental security income 
                            benefits.
Sec. 503. Notice to attorney or guardian ad litem for foster child of 
                            determination to pay social security or 
                            supplemental security income benefits to 
                            representative payee.
Sec. 504. Management of social security and supplemental security 
                            income benefits for foster children.
Sec. 505. Support and maintenance furnished in cash or in kind 
                            disregarded in determining income of foster 
                            children under the supplemental security 
                            income program.
Sec. 506. Technical assistance for Child Welfare Agencies.
Sec. 507. Effective dates.

  TITLE I--PREVENTION OF UNACCOMPANIED SITUATIONS AMONG CHILD WELFARE 
                                 GROUPS

SEC. 101. CURTAILMENT OF INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR 
              FAMILIES.

    Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (26);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (27) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(28) provides that the State shall have in effect such 
        laws and procedures as are necessary to ensure that--
                    ``(A) a child may not be placed in foster care 
                under the responsibility of the State solely because 
                the family with which the child is living is homeless 
                (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 725 of the 
                McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                11434a)) or living in substandard housing (as defined 
                in section 204(b)(11) of the National Housing Act) or a 
                dwelling unit that is experiencing severe physical 
                problems (as defined in subparagraph (F) of such 
                section); and
                    ``(B) the State will work with the family and State 
                housing authorities to secure permanent housing for any 
                family that includes a minor child and is homeless or 
                at risk of becoming homeless.''.

SEC. 102. GAO REPORT ON UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH ACCESS TO THE CHILD WELFARE 
              SYSTEM.

    Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to 
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Finance of the Senate on the policies and practices of 
States regarding access to child welfare services (including services 
related to foster care and adoption) that are financed pursuant to part 
B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
by children who have attained 13 years of age and that considers the 
use of runaway and homeless situations, as well as status as domestic 
minor victims of sex trafficking, as risk assessment factors for 
determining the appropriateness of placement in the child welfare 
system. Such report shall include--
            (1) an inventory of such policies and practices;
            (2) an assessment of the effectiveness of such policies and 
        practices; and
            (3) recommendations for such Federal or State legislation 
        or administrative action as the Comptroller General determines 
        appropriate.

SEC. 103. DISCHARGE FROM CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

    (a) State Plans Required To Describe State Policies and Procedures 
Regarding Runaway or Missing Foster Children.--Section 471(a) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)), as amended by section 101, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (27);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (28) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(29) describes the written policies and procedures of the 
        State that are designed to reduce the incidence of children 
        missing or running away from foster care, and to locate and 
        return such children to foster placements.''.
    (b) Judicial Review of Permanency Plan for Child Leaving Foster 
Care.--Section 475(5)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675(5)(C)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and (iii)'' and inserting ``(iii)''; and
            (2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the 
        following: ``; and (iv) procedural safeguards shall be applied 
        to assure that the final permanency hearing regarding the 
        transition of the child from foster care to a planned, 
        permanent living arrangement or independent living is held in a 
        family or juvenile court or another court (including a tribal 
        court) of competent jurisdiction;''.
    (c) Review of Steps Taken To Ensure Appropriate Housing for 
Children Leaving Foster Care.--Section 475(5)(C)(iii) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 675(5)(C)(iii)) is amended by inserting ``, and reviews all 
documentation of the efforts to secure a permanent living arrangement 
for the child upon emancipation from foster care'' before ``; and''.
    (d) Modification of Case Plan Requirements.--Section 475(1)(D) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 675(1)(D)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(D) Where appropriate, for a child who has 
                attained 14 years of age (and, at State option, any 
                other child), a written description of the programs and 
                services that will facilitate the transition of the 
                child from foster care to independent living, including 
                age-appropriate adolescent health services, which 
                include services to prevent pregnancy and sexually 
                transmitted infections, as part of a general health 
                plan, and a discussion of the appropriateness of the 
                services that have been provided to the child under the 
                plan. The plan for such child shall also include 
                documentation of the steps the agency is taking to 
                ensure a permanent placement with a family or other 
                adult connection for the child, and a permanent living 
                arrangement. In the case of a child who has attained 17 
                years of age or with a permanency goal of emancipation, 
                the plan shall include documentation of the child's 
                permanent living arrangement upon emancipation.''.

SEC. 104. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR IMPROVING PERMANENCY FOR YOUTH IN 
              FOSTER CARE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a demonstration 
project to develop multi-State working groups to conduct research and 
develop policy recommendations for the support and enhancement of long-
term permanency planning for children in foster care.
    (b) Duration and Scope.--
            (1) Duration.--The Secretary shall conduct the 
        demonstration project for a period of 5 years.
            (2) Scope.--The Secretary shall designate not more than 5 
        working groups to participate in the demonstration project, 
        with each working group to be established by and operated 
        between 2 or more States.
    (c) Application.--A group of 2 or more States that desires to 
participate in the demonstration project shall submit to the Secretary 
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
    (d) Recommendations.--The recommendations developed by a working 
group participating in the demonstration project shall include 
consideration of methods for improvement and enhancement in the 
following areas:
            (1) The home study process for screening of prospective 
        foster care parents, guardians, and adoptive parents, including 
        the development of a standardized home study process.
            (2) Visitation policies for children in foster care and 
        their biological parents.
            (3) Standardization of temporary or provisional licensing 
        for foster care parents.
            (4) Streamlining the application process for prospective 
        foster care parents and reducing the length of time required 
        for approval through the application process.
            (5) Coordination of administrative processes, including the 
        development of a standard data exchange to allow for greater 
        efficiency in the transfer of relevant data, information, and 
        paperwork between States, foster care agencies, and other 
        relevant State agencies.
            (6) Any other areas determined appropriate by the 
        Secretary.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the period of fiscal 
years 2012 through 2016, there is authorized to be appropriated a total 
of $50,000,000 to the Secretary to carry out the demonstration project 
under this section.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Demonstration project.--The term ``demonstration 
        project'' means the demonstration project conducted under this 
        section.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the 50 States 
        or the District of Columbia.

SEC. 105. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GOOD NEIGHBOR NEXT 
              DOOR PROGRAM FOR FOSTER CARE ALUMNI.

    The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise subpart 
F of part 291 of its regulations (24 C.F.R. 291) to provide that 
individuals who have been under the responsibility of the State foster 
care system but are no longer under the responsibility of the State due 
to having attained the age of majority, and who have attained a 
bachelor's degree or higher from an institution of higher education in 
the United States, qualify to purchase a home through the Good Neighbor 
Next Door Sales Program.

SEC. 106. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR IMPROVING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND 
              REDUCING HOMELESSNESS FOR LGBT YOUTH.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a 
demonstration project to develop programs that are focused on improving 
family relationships and reducing homelessness for lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, and transgender youth, including--
            (1) research-based behavioral interventions that are 
        designed to decrease rejecting behaviors and increase 
        supportive behaviors in families with lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
        or transgender youth in order to ensure that such youth 
        maintain residence in their homes;
            (2) research-based assessment tools to help identify 
        lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth that are at risk 
        for family conflict or ejection from their homes;
            (3) research-based family educational tools and resources 
        to help families learn about--
                    (A) behaviors that may place lesbian, gay, 
                bisexual, or transgender youth at risk; and
                    (B) alternative behaviors that promote positive 
                development for such youth; and
            (4) multimedia educational tools and resources that are--
                    (A) based on research regarding supportive and 
                rejecting behaviors in families with lesbian, gay, 
                bisexual, and transgender youth; and
                    (B) focused on helping a diverse range of families 
                understand how their words, actions, and behaviors 
                affect the survival and well-being of lesbian, gay, 
                bisexual, and transgender youth.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall conduct the demonstration 
project for a period of 5 years.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for purposes of carrying out 
the demonstration project under this section.

      TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CHILD WELFARE SERVICES TO OLDER YOUTH

SEC. 201. ELIGIBILITY FOR FOSTER CARE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS, ADOPTION 
              ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS, AND KINSHIP GUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCE 
              THROUGH AGE 20.

    (a) Definition of Child.--Effective as if included in the enactment 
of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 
2008 (Public Law 110-351), section 475(8) of the Social Security Act 
(as added by section 201(a) of the Fostering Connections to Success and 
Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(8) The term `child' means--
                    ``(A) a minor child; and
                    ``(B) an individual who has reached the legal age 
                of majority but has not attained 21 years of age and is 
                under the responsibility of the State.''.
    (b) Foster Care Maintenance Payments.--Section 472 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 672) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) Eligibility.--Each State with a plan approved under 
        this part shall make foster care maintenance payments on behalf 
        of--
                    ``(A) each child who is an individual described in 
                section 475(8)(A) who has been removed from the home of 
                a relative specified in section 406(a) (as in effect on 
                July 16, 1996) into foster care if the removal and 
                foster care placement met, and the placement continues 
                to meet, the requirements of paragraph (2) of this 
                subsection, and the child, while in the home, would 
                have met the AFDC eligibility requirement of paragraph 
                (3); and
                    ``(B) each child who is an individual described in 
                section 475(8)(B) who has entered foster care under the 
                responsibility of the State if the child would have met 
                the AFDC eligibility requirement of paragraph (3) on 
                the day before the date on which the child reached the 
                legal age of majority and the foster care placement met 
                and continues to meet the requirements of paragraph (5) 
                of this subsection.'';
                    (B) in the heading of paragraph (2), by inserting 
                ``applicable to minors'' after ``requirements''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Foster care placement requirements applicable to 
        children who have attained the age of majority.--The foster 
        care placement of a child who is an individual described in 
        section 475(8)(B) meets the requirements of this paragraph if--
                    ``(A) the foster care placement is in accordance 
                with a voluntary placement agreement entered into by 
                the individual;
                    ``(B) the individual's placement and care meet the 
                requirement of paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection; and
                    ``(C)(i) the individual has been placed in a foster 
                family home, child-care institution, or dwelling 
                described in subsection (b)(3)(C); or
                    ``(ii) the individual has secured a dwelling 
                described in subsection (b)(3)(D).'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (1);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
                (2) and inserting ``, or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) in the case of a child who is an individual described 
        in section 475(8)(B)--
                    ``(A) in a home described in paragraph (1), in 
                accordance with the payment rules set forth in 
                paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) in an institution described in paragraph (2), 
                in accordance with the payment rules set forth in 
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) in a dwelling operated by an agency that 
                provides social services to children and their families 
                which supplements, supports, or substitutes parental 
                care and supervision for the purpose of safeguarding 
                and promoting the welfare of children, and that meets 
                such standards for licensure or approval as are 
                established by the State for the provision of the 
                services, whether the payments therefor are made to the 
                agency or directly to the individual; or
                    ``(D) in housing rented or leased by the 
                individual.'';
            (3) in subsection (e), by inserting ``minor'' before 
        ``child who''; and
            (4) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``a minor'' and inserting 
                        ``a child''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the minor'' and 
                        inserting ``the child (or, if the child has 
                        attained 18 years of age, the child himself or 
                        herself)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``a minor child'' and 
                        inserting ``a child (or, if the child has 
                        attained 18 years of age, the child himself or 
                        herself)''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``(if the child is a 
                        minor)'' after ``obligations of the parents or 
                        guardians''.
    (c) Adoption Assistance Payments.--
            (1) In general.--Section 473(a)(1)(A) of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 673(a)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``who have not 
        attained 21 years of age'' after ``special needs''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Effective as if included in the 
        enactment of the Fostering Connections to Success and 
        Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351), section 
        473(a)(4) of the Social Security Act (as amended by section 
        201(c) of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing 
        Adoptions Act of 2008) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(4)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a 
payment may not be made pursuant to this section to parents or relative 
guardians with respect to a child--
            ``(i) who has attained 21 years of age;
            ``(ii) who has not attained 21 years of age, if the State 
        determines that the parents or relative guardians, as the case 
        may be, are no longer legally responsible for the support of 
        the child; or
            ``(iii) if the State determines that the child is no longer 
        receiving any support from the parents or relative guardians, 
        as the case may be.
    ``(B) Parents or relative guardians who have been receiving 
adoption assistance payments or kinship guardianship assistance 
payments under this section shall keep the State or local agency 
administering the program under this section informed of circumstances 
which would, pursuant to this subsection, make them ineligible for the 
payments, or eligible for the payments in a different amount.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 474(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
674(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``under section 472 for children in 
foster family homes or child-care institutions'' and inserting ``in 
accordance with section 472''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on October 1, 2011.

SEC. 202. IMPROVEMENTS TO JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Increase in Annual Authorization Level.--Section 477(h)(1) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677(h)(1)) is amended by striking 
``$140,000,000'' and inserting ``$200,000,000''.
    (b) Expansion of Eligibility for Services.--Section 477 of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 677) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``18'' and 
                inserting ``14'';
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``between 18 and 
                21'' and inserting ``who have attained 18 years of age, 
                and who have not attained 25 years of age''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (7), by striking ``16'' and 
                inserting ``14'';
            (2) in each of subsections (b)(3)(A) and (b)(3)(B), by 
        striking ``21'' and inserting ``25''; and
            (3) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``youths who, 
                after attaining 16 years of age, are adopted from, or 
                enter kinship guardianship from, foster care'' and 
                inserting ``youths in or exiting from foster care after 
                attaining 14 years of age''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating 
                paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through 
                (5), respectively.
    (c) Eligibility of Private Service Providers for Funds.--Section 
477(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
                    ``(G) Distribute funds provided to the State under 
                this section among a diverse range of qualified 
                providers of services that are private entities, and 
                ensure that the entities have equal opportunity to 
                receive the funds.''.
    (d) Expansion of Program Evaluations.--Section 477(g)(1) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 677(g)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting ``, and of model 
        programs that focus on improving outcomes for youth aging out 
        of care in the areas of education, employment, personal 
        development, financial asset development, financial management 
        skills, and housing'' after ``significance'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``and personal 
        development'' and inserting ``mental and physical health, 
        healthy relationships, personal development, and housing, and 
        on the use of room and board services and how the use of the 
        services improve housing outcomes for youth''; and
            (3) in the third sentence, by inserting ``, where 
        practicable,'' before ``random assignment''.
    (e) Improving Awareness of Available Services.--
            (1) Duties of the secretary.--Section 477 of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 677) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(k) Distribution of Information About Other Related Programs.--To 
improve access to the array of services available to youth 
transitioning out of foster care and assist States in leveraging 
available resources, the Secretary shall provide for the efficient 
distribution to States and local areas of information about Federal 
programs, other than the program established by this section, that may 
assist youth in their transition to self-sufficiency and provide 
guidance on how to access services under the programs.''.
            (2) Duties of the state.--Section 477(b)(3) of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 677(b)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) through (K) 
                as subparagraphs (H) through (L), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the 
                following:
            ``(G) A certification by the chief executive officer that, 
        when or before a child leaves foster care under the 
        responsibility of the State, the State will inform the child of 
        the full range of available financial asset development, 
        financial management, housing, counseling, health, public 
        benefit employment, and education services, and other 
        appropriate support and services for which the child is 
        eligible.''.

                    TITLE III--YOUNG FAMILY CONCERNS

SEC. 301. TANF STATE PLAN AMENDMENT.

    Section 402(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
602(a)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(vii) Identify the education and 
                        training, living arrangement, and other 
                        services needs of individuals described in 
                        section 408(a)(5)(B)(ii) who are potentially 
                        eligible to receive assistance under the State 
                        program funded under this part and establish 
                        policies, procedures, and strategies to address 
                        the needs.''.

SEC. 302. ADULT-SUPERVISED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.

    Section 408(a)(5)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
608(a)(5)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) Provision of adult-supervised living 
                        arrangement.--In the case of an individual who 
                        is described in clause (ii), the State agency 
                        referred to in section 402(a)(4) shall provide 
                        or ensure the provision of a second chance 
                        home, maternity group home, transitional living 
                        youth project, or other appropriate adult-
                        supervised supportive living arrangement, 
                        taking into consideration the needs, concerns, 
                        and wishes of the individual, unless the State 
                        agency determines that the individual's current 
                        living arrangement is appropriate, and 
                        therefore, shall require that the individual 
                        and the minor child referred to in subparagraph 
                        (A)(ii)(II) reside in such living arrangement 
                        as a condition of the continued receipt of 
                        assistance under the State program funded under 
                        this part attributable to funds provided by the 
                        Federal Government (or in an alternative 
                        appropriate arrangement, should circumstances 
                        change and the current arrangement cease to be 
                        appropriate).'';
            (2) in clause (ii)--
                    (A) by redesignating subclauses (III) and (IV) as 
                subclauses (V) and (VI), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subclause (II) the 
                following:
                                    ``(III) the individual is a 
                                homeless youth;
                                    ``(IV) the individual is a street 
                                youth;'';
            (3) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (vi) and 
        inserting after clause (ii) the following:
                            ``(iii) Disclosure of adult-supervised 
                        living arrangement options to individual.--The 
                        State agency shall ensure that individuals 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(ii) who are 
                        applicants or recipients of assistance are 
                        fully informed of all adult-supervised living 
                        arrangement options that satisfy the 
                        requirement of this subsection, and provide the 
                        individual the opportunity to request a 
                        specific adult-supervised living arrangement.
                            ``(iv) Determination of adult-supervised 
                        living arrangement.--In determining the 
                        appropriateness of the individual's current 
                        living arrangement in clause (i) and 
                        considering the individual's request for a 
                        specific adult-supervised living arrangement in 
                        clause (iii), the State agency shall provide a 
                        written explanation of the determination, 
                        including a statement regarding the right to 
                        appeal the determination under clause (v), to 
                        the individual, if the determination is other 
                        than the adult-supervised living arrangement 
                        requested by the individual.
                            ``(v) Right to appeal adult-supervised 
                        living arrangement.--If the State agency's 
                        determination of appropriate adult-supervised 
                        living arrangement in clause (i) is other than 
                        the adult-supervised living arrangement 
                        requested by the individual in clause (iii), 
                        the individual shall have a right to appeal the 
                        State agency's decision through appeal and 
                        dispute resolution mechanisms available in the 
                        State.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vi) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:
                                    ``(I) Transitional living youth 
                                project.--The term `transitional living 
                                youth project' has the same meaning as 
                                provided in section 387(6) of the 
                                Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
                                Prevention Act of 1974.
                                    ``(II) Homeless youth.--The term 
                                `homeless youth' has the same meaning 
                                as provided in section 387(3) of the 
                                Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
                                Prevention Act of 1974.
                                    ``(III) Street youth.--The term 
                                `street youth' has the same meaning as 
                                provided in section 387(5) of the 
                                Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
                                Prevention Act of 1974.''.

SEC. 303. SUSPENSION OF TIME LIMIT FOR YOUNG ADULT PARENT INVOLVED IN 
              EDUCATION OR TRAINING.

    Section 408(a)(7)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
608(a)(7)(B)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``Minor child exception'' 
        and inserting ``Age exceptions''; and
            (2) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the 
        following:
                            ``(i) a minor child, and not the head of a 
                        household or married to the head of a 
                        household; or
                            ``(ii) was pregnant or a parent, and--
                                    ``(I) had not attained 20 years of 
                                age, and was meeting all program 
                                requirements relating to education, 
                                training and living arrangements; or
                                    ``(II) had attained 20 but not 21 
                                years of age, and was scheduled to 
                                complete all program requirements 
                                relating to education or training.''.

SEC. 304. TRANSITIONAL COMPLIANCE.

    Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``if'' and all that 
        follows and inserting ``if--
                    ``(A) the individual does not participate in--
                            ``(i) educational activities directed 
                        toward the attainment of a high school diploma 
                        or its equivalent; or
                            ``(ii) an alternative educational or 
                        training program that has been approved by the 
                        State; and
                    ``(B) 91 days have elapsed since the State has 
                notified the individual that the individual is in 
                violation of this paragraph. During the 91-day period 
                described in the preceding sentence, if the individual 
                is otherwise (but for this paragraph) eligible for 
                assistance under the State program funded under this 
                part, the State shall treat such individual's 
                application for such benefits as if the individual 
                satisfied the requirements of subparagraph (A).''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5)(A)(i), by inserting ``, and 91 days 
        have elapsed since the State has notified the individual that 
        the individual is in violation of this paragraph. During the 
        91-day period described in the preceding sentence, if the 
        individual is otherwise (but for this paragraph) eligible for 
        assistance under the State program funded under this part, the 
        State shall treat such individual's application for such 
        benefits as if the individual satisfied the residence 
        requirements of the preceding sentence'' before the period.

SEC. 305. SANCTION PROTECTIONS FOR MINOR PARENTS.

    Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) A State to which a grant is made under section 403 
        of this Act shall not impose a sanction on a recipient of 
        assistance under the State program funded under this part who 
        is an individual described in paragraph (4) or (5)(B)(ii) of 
        this subsection and whose household includes a minor who has 
        received assistance under the State program funded under this 
        part, under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
        authorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, or under any 
        other State program funded with qualified State expenditures 
        (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)), unless the State has 
        established procedures that help recipients of assistance under 
        the State program funded under this part understand, avoid, or 
        end sanctions, and has applied the procedures to the 
        recipient.''.

SEC. 306. TEEN PARENT STUDY AND REPORT.

    Section 413 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 613) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Teen Parent Study and Report.--
            ``(1) Study of tanf recipients.--The Secretary shall 
        conduct a study of recipients of assistance under State 
        programs funded under this part who are parents and have not 
        attained 20 years of age to determine the following:
                    ``(A) Whether State data on the number of such 
                recipients is accurately reflected in Federal data, 
                including an examination of the extent to which such 
                recipients who are members of a family are not 
                reflected in the data, and an examination of the extent 
                to which Federal estimation methods do not reflect the 
                number of such recipients in a State.
                    ``(B) What assessment procedures are utilized with 
                such recipients, and whether there appear to be best 
                practices that consider such issues as whether the 
                recipient has an educational barrier such as a learning 
                disability or mental health problem.
                    ``(C) Whether localities appear to have adequate 
                and appropriate services that meet the needs of such 
                recipients in areas such as infant care, age-
                appropriate adolescent health, education, training, and 
                mental health, for services such as appropriate 
                housing, mental health, and alternative education, 
                whether staff assist teen parents in researching and 
                locating such services including an appropriate living 
                arrangement, and the extent to which such recipients 
                who have not completed high school or the equivalent 
                are encouraged to engage in education or work.
                    ``(D) How State rules providing that, in 
                determining the eligibility of such recipients for such 
                assistance, the income of the recipient is deemed to 
                include the income of any parents with whom such 
                recipient is living appear to have affected the extent 
                to which such recipients who are members of a family 
                with income less than 200 percent of the poverty line 
                (as defined in section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget 
                Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any revision 
                required by such section, applicable to a family of the 
                size involved) are able to participate in State 
                programs funded under this part.
                    ``(E) Demographic information such as--
                            ``(i) the age of such recipients;
                            ``(ii) the amount of time such recipients 
                        received such assistance in a given year;
                            ``(iii) the number of children that such 
                        recipients have;
                            ``(iv) school attainment by such 
                        recipients, by age;
                            ``(v) the employment status of such 
                        recipients, such as whether a recipient has 
                        ever worked or has worked while in school;
                            ``(vi) the child care arrangements of such 
                        recipients; and
                            ``(vii) the living arrangements of such 
                        recipients.
            ``(2) Study of low-income teen parents who are not tanf 
        recipients.--The Secretary shall conduct a study of a 
        representative sample of low-income (as determined by the 
        Secretary) teen parents who are not recipients of assistance 
        under a State program funded under this part, to determine the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Whether the teen parent sought to apply for 
                such assistance.
                    ``(B) Whether a teen parent who indicated to a 
                State a desire to apply for such assistance received an 
                application for such assistance.
                    ``(C) Whether a teen parent who applied for such 
                assistance was subsequently contacted by the State 
                agency responsible for operating a State program funded 
                under this part.
            ``(3) Report to congress.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
                shall submit a report to Congress that contains the 
                findings of the studies required by this subsection and 
                recommendations regarding such issues as how to improve 
                data reporting, State plans, State `best practice' 
                information sharing, and assessments.
                    ``(B) Advisory group.--The Secretary shall 
                establish an advisory group consisting of 
                representatives from organizations that work with 
                parents who have not attained 20 years of age, to 
                provide advice to the Secretary on questions relating 
                to such parents that should be investigated and to 
                provide comments to accompany the recommendations 
                contained in the report under subparagraph (A).''.

                      TITLE IV--WORK OPPORTUNITIES

SEC. 401. INCLUSION OF HOMELESS YOUTH AS QUALIFIED POPULATION FOR WORK 
              OPPORTUNITY CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 51(d) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of 
subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (I) 
and inserting ``, or'', and adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(J) a qualified homeless youth.''.
    (b) Qualified Homeless Youth.--Subsection (d) of section 51 of such 
Code is amended by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (13) as 
paragraphs (12) through (14), respectively, and by inserting after 
paragraph (10) the following new paragraph:
            ``(11) Qualified homeless youth.--The term `qualified 
        homeless youth' means any individual who is certified by the 
        designated local agency--
                    ``(A) as having attained age 16 but not age 25 on 
                the hiring date; and
                    ``(B) as being described in paragraph (2) of 
                section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a), as in effect on the date of the 
                enactment of this paragraph, on the hiring date.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

   TITLE V--SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS

SEC. 501. LIMITATION ON USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY 
              INCOME BENEFITS PAID TO REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES ON BEHALF 
              OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOR STATE COSTS.

    (a) Amendments to Title II.--
            (1) Exception to prohibition on assignments, etc.--Section 
        207 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 407) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a payment 
made by a representative payee to reimburse a State as described in 
section 205(j)(9)(B)(i), but only to the extent that the payment is--
            ``(1) not prohibited by section 205(j)(9)(B)(i); and
            ``(2) made available, distributed, and applied in 
        accordance with section 205(j)(9)(B)(iii).''.
            (2) Limitation on use of social security benefits.--Section 
        205(j)(9) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 405(j)(9)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(9)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(B)(i) A State or local government agency serving in any State as 
a representative payee under this subsection with respect an individual 
who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State shall not 
use any (or, if the individual has not attained 14 years of age, more 
than 50 percent of any) benefits paid to the representative payee 
pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection to reimburse the State 
for--
            ``(I) foster care maintenance payments made pursuant to 
        section 472; or
            ``(II) other payments made by the State or political 
        subdivision of the State to cover any other cost or expense for 
        an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of 
        the State.
    ``(ii) An expense described in paragraph (4)(A)(i) of this 
subsection or section 1631(a)(2)(D) shall not be considered a cost or 
expense for purposes of clause (i) of this subparagraph.
    ``(iii) In any case in which the State or local government agency 
referred to in clause (i) determines that any portion of such 
individual's benefit under this title which is held by such agency in 
accordance with this subsection would be available under the provisions 
of this subsection (other than this clause) to reimburse government 
costs in connection with such foster care, any amount of such portion 
of such benefit shall be available for such reimbursement only to the 
extent that such amount is made available to supplement, and not to 
replace, any amounts otherwise available from non-Federal sources to 
meet such government costs. Any amount of such reimbursement shall not 
be distributed into the general funds of the agency or the State or 
local government and may be applied only so as to increase funding for 
foster care services provided by the State or local government.''.
    (b) Amendments to Title XVI.--
            (1) Applicability of title ii exception to prohibition on 
        assignments, etc.--Section 1631(d)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1383(d)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)'';
                    (B) by striking ``The provisions of'' and inserting 
                ``Subject to subparagraph (B), the provisions of''; and
                    (C) by inserting at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
    ``(B) Subsection (a) of section 207 shall not apply to a payment 
made by a representative payee to reimburse a State as described in 
subsection (a)(2)(A)(iv)(II) of this section, but only to the extent 
that such payment is--
            ``(i) not prohibited by subsection (a)(2)(A)(iv)(II) of 
        this section; and
            ``(ii) made available, distributed, and applied in 
        accordance with subsection (a)(2)(A)(iv)(IV) of this 
        section.''.
            (2) Limitation on use of ssi benefits.--Section 
        1631(a)(2)(A)(iv) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(A)(iv)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(I)'' after ``(iv)''; and
                    (B) by inserting at the end the following new 
                subclauses:
    ``(II) Subject to subclauses (III) and (IV), a State or local 
government agency serving in any State as a representative payee under 
this subsection with respect an eligible individual who is in foster 
care under the responsibility of the State shall not use any (or, if 
the individual has not attained 14 years of age, more than 50 percent 
of any) benefits paid to the representative payee pursuant to clause 
(ii) to reimburse the State for--
            ``(aa) foster care maintenance payments made pursuant to 
        section 472; or
            ``(bb) other payments made by a State or political 
        subdivision of a State to cover any other cost or expense for 
        an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of 
        the State.
    ``(III) For purposes of subclause (II)(bb), an expense described in 
subparagraph (D) or section 205(j)(4)(A)(i) shall not be considered a 
cost or expense.
    ``(IV) For purposes of subclause (II), if a State or local 
government agency determines that an amount of an individual's benefit 
under this title that is held by the agency in accordance with this 
paragraph would be available under the provisions of this paragraph 
(other than this subclause) to reimburse government costs in connection 
with the foster care, such amount shall be available for such 
reimbursement only to the extent that the amount is made available to 
supplement, and not to replace, any amounts otherwise available from 
non-Federal sources to meet the government costs. Any amount of the 
reimbursement shall not be distributed into the general funds of the 
agency or the State or local government and may be applied only so as 
to increase funding for foster care services provided by such State or 
local government.''.

SEC. 502. SCREENING OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR SOCIAL 
              SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS.

    (a) State Plan Requirement.--Section 471(a) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (32);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (33) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(34) provides that, not later than 36 months after the 
        date of enactment of the Reconnecting Youth to Prevent 
        Homelessness Act of 2011, the State agency described in 
        paragraph (2) shall--
                    ``(A) develop and implement procedures to ensure 
                that, within 60 days after the status of a child who is 
                in foster care under the responsibility of the State is 
                first reviewed pursuant to the procedures described in 
                section 475(5)(B), the child is screened to determine 
                their potential eligibility for benefits under title II 
                and for supplemental security income benefits under 
                title XVI; and
                    ``(B) if such screening results in a determination 
                that the child is potentially eligible for any such 
                benefits--
                            ``(i) provide the child with assistance in 
                        applying for and, as necessary, appealing any 
                        decisions made with respect to such benefits; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) if there is no other suitable 
                        candidate available, apply to become the 
                        representative payee for the child with respect 
                        to such benefits.''.
    (b) GAO Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study to determine whether States have 
        substantially complied with the amendments made by this section 
        during the 6-year period following enactment of this Act, 
        including whether States have--
                    (A) established successful procedures that screen 
                all foster children under the responsibility of the 
                States for their potential eligibility for benefits 
                under title II of the Social Security Act and for 
                supplemental security income benefits under title XVI 
                of such Act;
                    (B) provided all such potentially eligible foster 
                children assistance in applying for, and appealing 
                decisions made with respect to, the benefits; and
                    (C) implemented procedures to identify suitable 
                nongovernmental candidates to serve as representative 
                payees for children in foster care with respect to the 
                benefits.
            (2) Report to the congress.--Not later than 1 year after 
        completion of the study described in paragraph (1), the 
        Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
        Congress a report containing the results of such study.

SEC. 503. NOTICE TO ATTORNEY OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR FOSTER CHILD OF 
              DETERMINATION TO PAY SOCIAL SECURITY OR SUPPLEMENTAL 
              SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS TO REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE.

    (a) Amendment to Title II.--Section 205(j)(2)(E)(ii) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(j)(2)(E)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, 
except that, in the case of an individual who is in foster care under 
the responsibility of a State, such notice shall also be provided to 
the attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent the individual 
pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child Abuse Prevention 
and Treatment Act and, if the individual has attained 14 years of age, 
to the individual'' before the period.
    (b) Amendment to Title XVI.--Section 1631(a)(2)(B)(xii) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(B)(xii)) is amended by inserting ``, except that, 
in the case of an individual who is in foster care under the 
responsibility of a State, such notice shall also be provided to the 
attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent the individual 
pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child Abuse Prevention 
and Treatment Act and, if the individual has attained 14 years of age, 
to the individual'' before the period.

SEC. 504. MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY 
              INCOME BENEFITS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN.

    (a) Plan for Achieving Self-Support.--Section 471(a) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)), as amended by section 502(a) of this 
Act, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (33);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (34) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(35) provides that, with respect to each child in foster 
        care under the responsibility of the State who is a recipient 
        of benefits under title II or supplemental security income 
        benefits under title XVI, the State agency shall develop a plan 
        is individually designed to best meet the current and future 
        needs of the child and enable the child to achieve self-support 
        after leaving foster care, in accordance with the following 
        requirements:
                    ``(A)(i) The plan shall set forth a strategy to 
                conserve benefits not necessary for the immediate needs 
                of the child, as determined pursuant to clause (ii), in 
                a manner that best meets the future needs and 
                educational and employment interests of the child, and 
                for the placement of any such benefits in an account of 
                the type described in section 1631(a)(2)(F).
                    ``(ii) The plan shall provide for a determination 
                as to whether the child has immediate needs for which 
                such benefits should be used consistent with sections 
                205(j)(10)(B) and 1631(a)(2)(A)(iv).
                    ``(iii) The plan shall provide that any assets set 
                aside under the plan shall be conserved, remain 
                inaccessible to the child (with the exception of any 
                allowable expenses described in section 
                1631(a)(2)(F)(ii)(II) or any other use approved by the 
                Secretary as being in the best interests of the child), 
                and placed in the account described in clause (i) of 
                this subparagraph, until the later of the date that the 
                child attains 18 years of age or ceases to be under the 
                responsibility of the State, at which time any assets 
                subject to the plan shall be accessible to the child 
                to--
                            ``(I) secure and maintain stable housing;
                            ``(II) pursue educational opportunities, 
                        including job training, vocational training, or 
                        obtaining a professional license;
                            ``(III) purchase a vehicle;
                            ``(IV) operate a business;
                            ``(V) pay for employment-related costs, 
                        including the cost of uniforms, insurance, 
                        licenses, or complying with licensing 
                        requirements;
                            ``(VI) pay for medical or health-related 
                        expenses; or
                            ``(VII) pay for any expenses reasonably 
                        expected to assist the child in becoming self-
                        sufficient.
                    ``(B) The State agency shall--
                            ``(i) develop and implement the plan in 
                        collaboration with the child (on an age-
                        appropriate basis), the social worker for the 
                        child, the person acting as the representative 
                        payee for the child pursuant to section 205(j) 
                        or 1631(a)(2), and the attorney or guardian ad 
                        litem appointed to represent the child pursuant 
                        to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child 
                        Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; and
                            ``(ii) in developing and implementing the 
                        plan, make reasonable efforts to seek input 
                        from the parents and caretakers of the child.
                    ``(C)(i) The State agency shall complete the plan 
                not later than 60 days after the status of the child is 
                first reviewed pursuant to the procedures described in 
                section 475(5)(B).
                    ``(ii) The State agency shall ensure that each 
                subsequent review of the status of the child includes 
                consideration of an updated version of the plan and a 
                report on the progress made in implementing such plan.
                    ``(D)(i) Following completion of the plan, the 
                State agency shall provide a copy of the plan to the 
                attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent 
                the child pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the 
                Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act no later than 
                30 days prior to the subsequent review of the status of 
                the child under the procedures described in section 
                475(5)(B).
                    ``(ii) Not later than 30 days prior to each 
                subsequent review, the State agency shall provide an 
                updated copy of the plan to the attorney or guardian ad 
                litem so appointed.
                    ``(E)(i) The child may request the plan to be 
                modified as part of a review of their status under the 
                procedures described in section 475(5)(B), through a 
                separate hearing, or as part of a permanency hearing 
                under the procedures described in section 475(5)(C).
                    ``(ii) For purposes of any administrative or 
                judicial review proceeding, the plan shall not be 
                treated as meeting the requirements of this paragraph 
                with respect to a child unless the plan is determined 
                by the reviewer to be the best available means of 
                meeting the current and future needs and educational 
                and employment interests of the child.''.
    (b) Provisions Relating to Representative Payees.--
            (1) Amendments to title ii.--Section 205(j) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(j)), as amended by sections 
        501(a)(2) and 503(a), is further amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) 
                as paragraphs (9), (10), and (11), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following 
                new paragraph:
    ``(8) For purposes of benefits paid to a representative payee under 
paragraph (1) on behalf of an individual who is in foster care under 
the responsibility of a State, the representative payee shall manage 
such benefits in accordance with the plan developed for the individual 
pursuant to section 471(a)(35).''.
            (2) Amendment to title xvi.--Section 1631(a)(2) of such Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
    ``(J) For purposes of benefits paid to a representative payee under 
subparagraph (A)(ii) on behalf of an individual who is in foster care 
under the responsibility of a State, the representative payee shall 
manage such benefits in accordance with the plan developed for the 
individual pursuant to section 471(a)(35).''.
    (c) Exclusion From Resources Under the SSI Program.--Section 
1613(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382b(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (15);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (16) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (16) the following:
            ``(17) any assets managed on behalf of an eligible 
        individual in accordance with a plan developed for such 
        individual pursuant to section 471(a)(35).''.
    (d) Exclusion From Resource Limitation.--Subparagraph (B) of 
section 472(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 672(a)(3)) is 
amended by inserting ``, and excluding any assets held in an account 
that has been established pursuant to paragraph (35) of section 471(a) 
and managed in accordance with a plan developed under such paragraph'' 
after ``as so in effect''.

SEC. 505. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FURNISHED IN CASH OR IN KIND 
              DISREGARDED IN DETERMINING INCOME OF FOSTER CHILDREN 
              UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM.

    Section 1612(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1382a(a)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``another nonprofit organization, and'' and 
        inserting ``another nonprofit organization,''; and
            (2) by inserting ``, and (iv) clause (i) shall not apply in 
        the case of a child who is in foster care under the 
        responsibility of a State'' before the semicolon at the end.

SEC. 506. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES.

    (a) In General.--Pursuant to a request by a State agency that is 
responsible for administering, or supervising the administration of, 
the program authorized by part E of title IV of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.), the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall provide such agency with technical assistance in carrying out the 
amendments made by this Act.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section, $4,500,000 for fiscal year 
2013, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2014 
through 2018.

SEC. 507. EFFECTIVE DATES.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b) or as 
otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act shall apply to 
benefits payable for months beginning after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
    (b) State Plan Requirements Relating to Plans for Achieving Self-
Support.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by section 504(a) of 
        this Act shall take effect on the first day of the first 
        calendar quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act, and shall apply to payments under part E of title IV 
        of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning 
        after such first day.
            (2) Delay permitted if state legislation required.--If the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State 
        legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is 
        required in order for a State plan approved under part E of 
        title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional 
        requirements imposed by the amendments made by section 504(a) 
        of this Act, the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet 
        any of the additional requirements before the first day of the 
        first calendar quarter beginning after the first regular 
        session of the State legislature that begins after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act. If the State has a 2-year 
        legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a 
        separate regular session of the State legislature.
                                 <all>
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