COURTS Act

To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to extend State court funding for child welfare, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Continuation of Useful Resources to States Act COURTS Act 2. Extension of State court funding for child welfare (a) In general Section 436(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 629f 2012 through 2016 2018 through 2022 (b) Program changes Section 438 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 629h (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting in a timely and complete manner , as set forth (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the semicolon and inserting , including by training judges, attorneys, and other legal personnel. (B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4); (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking paragraph (2); (B) by striking all that precedes be eligible to receive (b) Applications In order to ; and (C) in the matter preceding paragraph (2)— (i) by moving the matter 2 ems to the left; (ii) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking (A) in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(3), (1) (II) by inserting use not less than 30 percent of grant funds to collaborate (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking (B) in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(4), (2) (iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking (C) in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a), (3) (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: (c) Amount of grant (1) In general From the amounts reserved under sections 436(b)(2) and 437(b)(2) for a fiscal year, each highest State court that has an application approved under this section for the fiscal year shall be entitled to payment of an amount equal to the sum of— (A) $255,000; and (B) the amount described in paragraph (2) with respect to the court and the fiscal year. (2) Amount described The amount described in this paragraph with respect to a court and a fiscal year is the amount that bears the same ratio to the total of the amounts reserved under sections 436(b)(2) and 437(b)(2) for grants under this section for the fiscal year (after applying paragraphs (1)(A) and (3) of this subsection) as the number of individuals in the State in which the court is located who have not attained 21 years of age bears to the total number of such individuals in all States with a highest State court that has an approved application under this section for the fiscal year. (3) Indian tribes From the amounts reserved under section 436(b)(2) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall, before applying paragraph (1) of this subsection, allocate $1,000,000 for grants to be awarded on a competitive basis among the highest courts of Indian tribes or tribal consortia that— (A) are operating a program under part E, in accordance with section 479B; (B) are seeking to operate a program under part E and have received an implementation grant under section 476; or (C) have a court responsible for proceedings related to foster care or adoption. ; (4) in subsection (d), by striking 2012 through 2016 2018 through 2022 (5) by striking subsection (e). (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2017. 3. Adjustment to the TANF Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs Section 403(b)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(b)(2) $608,000,000 $408,000,000, and for fiscal year 2019 such sums as are necessary for payment to the Fund in a total amount not to exceed $608,000,000

Summary: Continuation of Useful Resources to States Act or COURTS Act This bill extends and otherwise revises funding for programs related to child welfare. Specifically, the bill extends funding through FY2022 for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program; extends funding through FY2022 for, and otherwise revises, the grant program for improving courts' handling of foster-care and adoption proceedings; and provides funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Fund for FY2019 and decreases the amount of funding available to the fund for FY2018.