Strengthening Families for Success Act of 2020

To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to reauthorize the grant program to promote responsible fatherhood, to modernize the child support enforcement program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents; definition (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Families for Success Act of 2020 (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; definition. Title I—Promoting Responsible Fatherhood and Strengthening Low-Income Families Sec. 101. Reauthorization of healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood grants. Title II—Improving Resources for Domestic Violence and Family Strengthening Sec. 201. Best practices for coordination of policy to address domestic violence and family engagement. Sec. 202. Grants supporting healthy family partnerships for domestic violence intervention and prevention. Sec. 203. Procedures to address domestic violence. Title III—Modernization of Child Support Enforcement Sec. 301. Pilot program to stay automatic child support enforcement against non-custodial parents participating in a healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood program. Sec. 302. Closure of certain child support enforcement cases. Title IV—Parenting time services pilot program Sec. 401. Parenting time services pilot program. Title V—Improvements to the child support pass-through requirements Sec. 501. Child support pass-through program improvements. Sec. 502. Improving State documentation and reporting of child support collection data. Title VI—Program Flexibility During the COVID–19 Pandemic Sec. 601. Emergency TANF flexibility. Sec. 602. 2020 recovery rebates not subject to reduction or offset with respect to past-due support. Sec. 603. Protection of 2020 recovery rebates. Title VII—Effective Date Sec. 701. Effective date. (c) Secretary defined In this Act, the term Secretary I Promoting Responsible Fatherhood and Strengthening Low-Income Families 101. Reauthorization of healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood grants (a) Voluntary participation (1) Assurance Section 403(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II) (A) in item (aa), by striking and (B) in item (bb), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (cc) if the entity is a State or an Indian tribe or tribal organization, to not condition the receipt of assistance under the program funded under this part, under a program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)), or under a program funded under part B or E of this title, on enrollment or participation in any such programs; and (dd) to permit any participant in a program or activity funded under this paragraph, including an individual whose participation is specified in the individual responsibility plan developed for the individual in accordance with section 408(b), to transfer to another such program or activity upon notification to the entity and the State agency responsible for administering the State program funded under this part. . (2) Prohibition Section 408(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 608(a) (13) Ban on conditioning receipt of TANF or certain other benefits on participation in a healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood program A State to which a grant is made under section 403 shall not condition the receipt of assistance under the State program funded under this part, under a program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)), or under a program funded under part B or E of this title, on participation in a healthy marriage promotion activity (as defined in section 403(a)(2)(A)(iii)) or in an activity promoting responsible fatherhood (as defined in section 403(a)(2)(C)(ii)). . (3) Penalty Section 409(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 609(a) (17) Penalty for conditioning receipt of TANF or certain other benefits on participation in a healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood program If the Secretary determines that a State has violated section 408(a)(13) during a 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 5 percent of the State family assistance grant. . (b) Alignment of entities eligible for grants and technical assistance Section 403(a)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in clause (i), by inserting territories, States, (B) by adding at the end the following: (iv) Eligible entities States, territories, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, public or private entities, and nonprofit community entities, including religious organizations, are eligible to be awarded funds made available under this paragraph for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities, for the purpose of carrying out activities promoting responsible fatherhood, or for both such purposes. (v) Territory defined For purposes of awarding funds under this paragraph, the term territory ; and (2) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking and public public or private entities, (c) Territory and tribal set-Aside; elimination of preference provision Section 403(a)(2)(E) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(E) (E) Funding for territories and Indian tribes and tribal organizations (i) In general Of the amounts made available under subparagraph (D) for a fiscal year, not less than 10 of the awards made by the Secretary of such funds for fiscal year 2021 or any fiscal year thereafter for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities, activities promoting responsible fatherhood, or both, (excluding any award under subparagraph (B)(i) for any fiscal year), shall be made to a territory or an Indian tribe or tribal organization. (ii) Clarification of eligibility of tribal consortiums A tribal consortium of Indian tribes or tribal organizations may be awarded funds under this paragraph for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities, activities promoting responsible fatherhood, or both. . (d) Activities promoting responsible fatherhood Section 403(a)(2)(C)(ii) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(C)(ii) (1) in subclause (I), by striking marriage or sustain marriage healthy relationships and marriages or to sustain healthy relationships or marriages (2) in subclause (II), by inserting educating youth who are not yet parents about the economic, social, and family consequences of early parenting, helping participants in fatherhood programs work with their own children to break the cycle of early parenthood, child support payments, (3) in subclause (III)— (A) by striking fathers parents (with priority for low-income noncustodial parents) (B) by inserting employment training for both parents and for other family members, referrals to local employment training initiatives, (e) Ensuring healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood activities can be offered during public health emergencies (1) In general Section 403(a)(2)(A)(ii)(I) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(A)(ii)(I) (A) in each of items (aa) and (bb), by striking and (B) by adding at the end the following: (cc) how, and the extent to which, funds awarded will be used by the entity for technology and access to broadband in order to carry out healthy marriage promotion activities, activities promoting responsible fatherhood, or both, remotely during a public health emergency; and (dd) how the entity will sustain continuity of critical services, specifying the scope of the critical services to be maintained, and the ability of the entity to be able to resume providing such services within 3 weeks of the beginning of a public health emergency or other incident that compromises the ability of the entity to deliver such services in-person, by telephone, or virtually; and . (2) Public health emergency defined Section 403(a)(2)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(A) (A) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) (as added by subsection (b)(1)) as clauses (v) and (vi), respectively; and (B) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: (iv) Public health emergency defined In clause (ii), the term public health emergency (I) a national or public health emergency declared by the President or the Secretary, including— (aa) a major disaster relating to public health declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 (bb) an emergency relating to public health declared by the President under section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5191 (cc) a public health emergency declared by the Secretary under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d (II) an emergency relating to public health that has been declared by a Governor or other appropriate official of any State, the District of Columbia, or commonwealth, territory, or locality of the United States. . (f) Measuring outcomes for eligible families Section 403(a)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in clause (ii)— (i) in subclause (I)(dd), by striking and (ii) in subclause (II)— (I) in item (cc), by striking and (II) in item (dd), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (III) by adding at the end the following: (ee) to submit the report required under clause (vi); and ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (III) provides, subject to the approval of the Secretary, for evaluations of the activities carried out using each grant made under this paragraph that satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (F). ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (vii) Requirements relating to outcomes for measuring improvements (I) Report on improvements after 3 years Not later than 30 days after the end of the 3rd year in which an eligible entity conducts programs or activities with funds made available under this paragraph, the entity shall submit a report to the Secretary demonstrating the extent to which the programs and activities carried out with such funds made quantifiable, measurable improvements in the areas identified in the entity's application in accordance with clause (ii)(III). (II) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to help the eligible entity develop and implement ways to evaluate and improve outcomes for eligible families. The Secretary may provide the technical assistance directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. (III) Advisory panel The Secretary shall establish an advisory panel for purposes of obtaining recommendations regarding the technical assistance provided to entities in accordance with subclause (II). (IV) Final report Not later than December 31 of the first calendar year that begins after October 1 of the 5th consecutive fiscal year for which an eligible entity conducts programs or activities with funds made available under this paragraph, and every 5th such fiscal year thereafter (beginning with funds awarded for fiscal year 2021), the eligible entity shall submit a report to the Secretary demonstrating the extent to which the programs and activities carried out with such funds made quantifiable, measurable improvements in the areas identified in the entity's application for funding for such 5 fiscal years. (V) Report to congress Not later than March 31, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 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 programs and activities carried out with funds made available under this paragraph based on the most recent final reports submitted under subclause (IV). Each report submitted under this subclause shall identify the programs and activities carried out with funds made available under this paragraph which made quantifiable, measurable improvements and in which outcome areas. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F) Evaluation requirements (i) In general For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii)(III), an evaluation satisfies the requirements of this subparagraph if— (I) the evaluation is designed to— (aa) build evidence of the effectiveness of the activities carried out using each grant made under this paragraph; (bb) determine the lessons learned (including barriers to success) from such activities; and (cc) to the extent practicable, help build local evaluation capacity, including the capacity to use evaluation data to inform continuous program improvement; and (II) the evaluation includes research designs that encourage innovation and reflect the nature of the activities undertaken, successful implementation efforts, and the needs of the communities, without prioritizing efficacy research over effectiveness research. (ii) Randomized controlled trials An evaluation conducted in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) and this subparagraph may, but shall not be required to, include a randomized controlled trial. (iii) Outcomes Outcomes of interest for an evaluation conducted in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) and this subparagraph shall include, but are not limited to, the following: (I) Relationship quality between custodial and non-custodial parents. (II) Family economic wellbeing, including receipt of public benefits and access to employment services and education. (III) Payment of child support by non-custodial parents, non-financial contributions, and involvement in child-related activities. (IV) Parenting skills or parenting quality. (V) Health and mental health outcomes of parents. (VI) Quality and frequency of contact between children and non-custodial parents. (VII) Reduction in crime or domestic violence. (VIII) Prevention of child injuries, child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, and reduction of emergency department visits. (IX) Coordination and referrals for other community resources and supports. . (g) Authority for substitution grantees Section 403(a)(2)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(A) (1) in clause (ii), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking The Secretary Except as provided in clause (viii), the Secretary (2) by adding at the end the following: (viii) Authority for substitute entities If, after being awarded funds under this paragraph for a fiscal year for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities, activities promoting responsible fatherhood, or both, an entity becomes unable to continue to carry out such activities for the duration of the award period, the Secretary may select another entity to carry out such activities with the funds from the initial award that remain available for obligation, for the remainder of the initial award period. The Secretary shall make any such selection from among applications submitted by other entities for funding to carry out the same activities as the activities for which the initial award was made, and may base the criteria for making such a selection on the objectives specified in the announcement of the opportunity to apply for the initial award funds. . (h) Reauthorization Section 403(a)(2)(D) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2)(D) (D) Appropriation (i) In general Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for each of fiscal years 2021 through and 2025 for expenditure in accordance with this paragraph— (I) $75,000,000 for awarding funds for the purpose of carrying out healthy marriage promotion activities; and (II) $75,000,000 for awarding funds for the purpose of carrying out activities promoting responsible fatherhood. (ii) Demonstration projects for coordination of provision of child welfare and tanf services to tribal families at risk of child abuse or neglect If the Secretary makes an award under subparagraph (B)(i) for any fiscal year, the funds for such award shall be taken in equal portion from the amounts appropriated under subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i). (iii) Research; technical assistance The Secretary may use 0.5 percent of the amounts appropriated under each of subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i), respectively, for the purpose of conducting and supporting research and demonstration projects by public or private entities, and providing technical assistance to States, Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and such other entities as the Secretary may specify that are receiving a grant under another provision of this part. . II Improving Resources for Domestic Violence and Family Strengthening 201. Best practices for coordination of policy to address domestic violence and family engagement The Secretary shall develop a coordinated policy to address domestic violence and family strengthening that— (1) establishes criteria and best practices for coordination and partnership between domestic violence shelter and service organizations and responsible fatherhood and healthy marriage promotion programs; (2) not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue guidance containing such criteria and best practices; and (3) update and reissue such criteria and best practices at least once every 5 years. 202. Grants supporting healthy family partnerships for domestic violence intervention and prevention Section 403(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a) (6) Grants supporting healthy family partnerships for domestic violence intervention and prevention (A) In general The Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to healthy family partnerships to build capacity for, and facilitate such partnerships. (B) Use of funds Funds made available under a grant awarded under this paragraph may be used for staff training, the provision of domestic violence intervention and prevention services, and the dissemination of best practices for— (i) assessing and providing services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, including through caseworker training, the provision of technical assistance to other community partners, the implementation of safe visitation and exchange programs, and the implementation of safe child support procedures; or (ii) preventing domestic violence, particularly as a barrier to economic security, and fostering healthy relationships. (C) Application The respective entity and organization of a healthy family partnership entered into for purposes of receiving a grant under this paragraph shall submit a joint application to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall specify, containing— (i) a description of how the partnership intends to carry out the activities described in subparagraph (B), including a detailed plan for how the entity and organization comprising the partnership will collaborate; (ii) an assurance that funds made available under the grant shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other funds used by the entity or organization to carry out programs, activities, or services described in subparagraph (B); and (iii) such other information as the Secretary may require. (D) General rules governing use of funds Neither the rules of section 404 (other than subsection (b) of that section), nor section 417 shall apply to a grant made under this paragraph. (E) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Domestic violence The term domestic violence (ii) Healthy family partnership The term healthy family partnership (I) an entity receiving funds under— (aa) a grant made under paragraph (2) to promote healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood; or (bb) the pilot program established under section 469C; and (II) a domestic violence shelter and service organization. (F) Appropriation Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025, $25,000,000 to carry out this paragraph. . 203. Procedures to address domestic violence (a) In general Section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: (D) Requirements for receipt of funds An entity may not be awarded a grant under this paragraph unless the entity, as a condition of receiving funds under such a grant— (i) agrees to coordinate with the State domestic violence coalition (as defined in section 302(11) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act ( 42 U.S.C. 10402(11) (ii) identifies in its application for the grant the domestic violence shelter and service organization at the local, State, or national level with whom the entity will partner with respect to the development and implementation of the programs and activities of the entity; (iii) describes in such application how the programs or activities proposed in the application will address, as appropriate, issues of domestic violence, and contains a commitment by the entity to consult with experts in domestic violence or relevant domestic violence shelter and service organizations in the community in developing the programs and activities; (iv) describes in such application the roles and responsibilities of the entity and the domestic violence shelter and service organization, including with respect to training, cross-trainings for each entity, development of protocols using comprehensive and evidence-based practices and tools, and reporting, and the resources that each partner will be responsible for bringing to the program; (v) on award of the grant, and in consultation with the domestic violence shelter and service organization, develops and submits to the Secretary for approval, a written protocol using comprehensive and evidence-based practices and tools which describes— (I) how the entity will identify instances or risks of domestic violence among participants in the program and their families; (II) the procedures for responding to such instances or risks, including making service referrals, assisting with safety planning, and providing protections and other appropriate assistance for identified individuals and families; (III) how confidentiality issues will be addressed; and (IV) the training on domestic violence that will be provided to ensure effective and consistent implementation of the protocol; (vi) describes the entity's plan to build the capacity of program staff and other partners to address and communicate with parents about domestic violence; (vii) provides an assurance that the program staff will include a domestic violence coordinator to serve as the lead staff person on domestic violence for the entity (which may be funded with funds made available under the grant); and (viii) in an annual report to the Secretary, includes a description of the domestic violence protocols, and a description of any implementation issues identified with respect to domestic violence and how the issues were addressed. (E) Domestic violence defined In this paragraph, the term domestic violence . (b) Conforming amendments Section 403(a)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)— (A) by striking and (E) (D), and (G) (B) by striking (D) (F) (2) in subparagraphs (B)(i) and (C)(i), by striking (D) (F) (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2021. III Modernization of Child Support Enforcement 301. Pilot program to stay automatic child support enforcement against non-custodial parents participating in a healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood program (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to test whether the impact of staying automatic child support enforcement and cost recovery efforts improves family outcomes in cases under the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 601 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i) (A) shall not apply paragraph (3) of section 408(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 608(a) 42 U.S.C. 601 (B) shall not refer the child’s case to the State program funded under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 651 42 U.S.C. 608(a) 42 U.S.C. 654(29)(A) (C) shall not be subject to penalties under section 409(a)(5) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(5) (D) notwithstanding subparagraph (B), any such individual shall retain the right to apply for child support services under section 454(4)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 654(4)(A)(ii) (E) if the child has an open child support case with the State agency responsible for administering the State plan under part D of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 651 (F) if child support activities are suspended in a case by agreement of both parents in accordance with subparagraph (E), may exclude the case in determining applicable percentages based on State performance levels under section 458 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 658a 42 U.S.C. 652 (2) Eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity (A) a State; (B) a unit of local government; or (C) an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined in subsections (e) and (l) of section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 42 U.S.C. 655(f) 42 U.S.C. 654(33) (3) Application, selection of eligible entities (A) Application (i) In general To participate in the pilot program, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (ii) Required information An application to participate in the pilot program shall include— (I) an outline of the healthy marriage or responsible fatherhood programs that the eligible entity will partner with for the purposes of participating in the pilot program, including a description of each the eligibility and participation criteria for each such program; (II) the goals, strategies, and desired outcomes of the eligible entity’s proposed participation in the pilot program; and (III) such other information as the Secretary shall require. (B) Selection of eligible entities Not later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall select at least 10 eligible entities to participate in the pilot program. (4) Duration of pilot program The Secretary shall conduct the pilot program during the 4-year period that begins with fiscal year 2022 and ends with fiscal year 2025. (5) Data collection and reporting Throughout the pilot period, an eligible entity participating in the pilot program shall collect and report to the Secretary such data related to the entity’s participation in the pilot program as the Secretary shall require. (b) GAO report (1) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall study the implementation and impact of the pilot program established under subsection (a). (2) Report Not later than January 1, 2026, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the study required under paragraph (1) that includes information on the following: (A) How State agencies responsible for administering the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 601 42 U.S.C. 651 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i) (B) The types of activities and services designated programs provide, including the extent to which any such activities and services are intended for domestic violence victims and survivors. (C) An assessment of how the designated programs compare to other entities receiving a grant under section 403(a)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 603(a)(2) 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i) (D) Recommendations for such administrative or legislative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. 302. Closure of certain child support enforcement cases Section 454(4)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 654(4)(A) (1) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following: (i) a child living apart from 1 or both parents for whom (I) assistance is provided under the State program funded under part A of this title, (II) benefits or services for foster care maintenance are provided under the State program funded under part E of this title, (III) medical assistance is provided under the State plan approved under title XIX, or (IV) cooperation is required pursuant to section 6(l)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(l)(1) ; and (2) in clause (ii), by inserting living apart from 1 or both parents any other child IV Parenting time services pilot program 401. Parenting time services pilot program Part D of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 651 469C. Parenting time services pilot program (a) Establishment (1) In general Not later than June 30, 2021, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program (referred to in this section as the pilot program eligible entities (2) No budget neutrality required No budget neutrality requirement shall apply to the pilot program. (b) Application, selection of eligible entities, and duration (1) Application (A) In general To participate in the pilot program, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (B) Required information An application to participate in the pilot program shall include the following: (i) The identity of the courts or judicial or administrative agencies with which the eligible entity will coordinate activities carried out under the pilot program. (ii) The identity of the local, State, or national level domestic violence shelter and service organization with which the eligible entity will partner with to develop and implement the procedures to address domestic violence required under subsection (d). (iii) A description of the role and responsibilities of each of such partner with respect to developing and implementing the procedures required under subsection (d), and of the resources that each partner will contribute to developing and implementing such procedures. (iv) Such other information as the Secretary shall require. (2) Selection of eligible entities Not later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall select at least 12 eligible entities to participate in the pilot program, at least 2 of which shall be tribal agencies described in subsection (b). (3) Duration of pilot program The Secretary shall conduct the pilot program during the 5-year period that begins with fiscal year 2022 and ends with fiscal year 2026. (c) Authorized activities An eligible entity participating in the pilot program shall carry out the following activities: (1) Establishing parent time plans in conjunction with the establishment of a child support order. (2) Coordinating with the custodial and non-custodial parent when establishing a parent time plan. (3) Supervising and facilitating parents’ visitation and access to their children, including virtual visitation in situations where in-person visitation is not practicable. (4) Providing parents with legal information and referrals related to parenting time. (5) Coordinating with domestic violence shelter and service organizations. (6) Employing a staff member to serve as a domestic violence coordinator. (7) Such other activities related to promoting the inclusion of uncontested parenting time agreements in child support orders as the Secretary may approve. (d) Program requirements As a condition of receiving payments under the pilot program, an eligible entity shall meet the following requirements: (1) Procedures to address domestic violence Not later than 3 months after the eligible entity is selected to participate in the pilot program, the eligible entity, in consultation with the State domestic violence coalition (as defined in section 302(11) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act ( 42 U.S.C. 10402(11) (A) Develop, and submit to the Secretary for approval, written protocols for use by the eligible entity in carrying out activities under the pilot program that are based on comprehensive and evidence-based practices and tools for— (i) identifying instances of domestic violence and situations where there is a risk of domestic violence; (ii) responding to any instances of domestic violence and situations where there is a risk of domestic violence that are so identified, including by making referrals to domestic violence intervention and prevention services, assisting with safety planning, and providing protections and other appropriate assistance to individuals and families who are victims or potential victims of domestic violence; (iii) addressing confidentiality issues related to identifying and responding to instances of domestic violence and situations where there is a risk of domestic violence; and (iv) providing domestic violence awareness and intervention and prevention training to ensure the effective and consistent implementation of the protocols developed under this subparagraph. (B) Build the capacity of the staff of the eligible entity and the domestic violence shelter and service organization partner of the entity to communicate with parents about domestic violence. (C) Appoint a staff member of the eligible entity or the domestic violence shelter and service organizations to serve as the domestic violence coordinator for purposes of the activities carried out under the pilot program. (D) Submit a final report to the Secretary describing— (i) the protocols established by the eligible entity to address domestic violence; and (ii) any issues that the eligible entity encountered in implementing such protocols and if so, how the eligible entity addressed such issues. (2) Data collection and reporting Throughout the pilot period, an eligible entity participating in the pilot program shall collect and report to the Secretary such data related to the entity's participation in the pilot program as the Secretary shall require. (e) Payments to eligible entities (1) In general For each quarter during the pilot period described in subsection (b)(3), the Secretary shall pay to each eligible entity participating in the pilot program an amount equal to the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (2) of the amounts expended by the entity during the quarter to carry out the pilot program. Such payments shall be made in addition to, and as part of, the quarterly payment made to the eligible entity under section 455(a)(1). Amounts expended by an eligible entity participating in the pilot program shall be treated as amounts expended for a purpose for which a quarterly payment is available under section 455(a)(1)(A), without regard to whether payment would otherwise be available under such section in the absence of the pilot program (and subject to the application of the applicable percentage for such quarter under paragraph (2) in lieu of the percentage that would otherwise apply under such section (if any)). (2) Applicable percentage The applicable percentage specified in this paragraph is— (A) in the case of payments made for the first 8 quarters of the pilot period, 100 percent; and (B) in the case of payments made for each subsequent quarter of the pilot period, 66 percent (80 percent in the case of an eligible entity that is a tribal agency). (3) Sunset for payments In no case may payments be provided by the Secretary for amounts expended by an eligible entity to carry out the pilot program for any quarter of a fiscal year after fiscal year 2026. (f) Evaluation of pilot program (1) In general The Secretary shall conduct (directly or by grant, contract, or interagency agreement) a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program that satisfies the requirements of this subsection. (2) Deadline Not later than 1 year after the pilot program ends, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of such comprehensive evaluation. (3) Evaluation requirements (A) In general A comprehensive evaluation satisfies the requirements of this subsection if— (i) the evaluation is designed to identify successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining parenting time to— (I) build evidence of the effectiveness of such activities; (II) determine the lessons learned (including barriers to success) from such activities; and (III) to the extent practicable, help build local evaluation capacity, including the capacity to use evaluation data to inform continuous program improvement; and (ii) the evaluation includes research designs that encourage innovation and reflect the nature of the activities undertaken, successful implementation efforts, and the needs of the communities, without prioritizing efficacy research over effectiveness research. (B) Randomized controlled trials A comprehensive evaluation conducted in accordance with this subsection may, but shall not be required to, include a randomized controlled trial. (4) Report requirements The report on the comprehensive evaluation conducted in accordance with this subsection shall include the following: (A) An assessment of the process used to assist parents in developing and establishing parenting time agreements and the number of parenting time agreements established during the pilot program. (B) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on child support payment outcomes, including payment behaviors such as the amount of monthly payments, the frequency of monthly payments, and the frequency and type of non-financial assistance. (C) An assessment of the access barriers to establishing and complying with parenting time agreements, and the effectiveness of methods used by the pilot projects to address barriers. (D) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on co-parenting quality. (E) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on relationships between custodial and non-custodial parents. (F) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on relationships between non-custodial parents and their children. (G) Data on the incidence and prevalence of domestic violence between custodial and non-custodial parents during the course of the pilot program. (H) A detailed description of the procedures used to address incidents of domestic violence between custodial and non-custodial parents during the course of the pilot program. (I) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on increasing custodial and non-custodial parents’ knowledge about domestic violence. (5) Appropriation Out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended. (g) Domestic violence defined In this section, the term domestic violence . V Improvements to the child support pass-through requirements 501. Child support pass-through program improvements (a) Pass-Through of all current support amounts and arrearages collected for current and former TANF families Section 457 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657 (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking and (e) , (e), (f), and (g) (2) by adding at the end the following: (f) Distribution of current support amount and arrearages collected for TANF families (1) TANF families Subject to subsections (d), (e), and (g), beginning October 1, 2023— (A) paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall no longer apply to the distribution of amounts collected on behalf of a TANF family as support by a State pursuant to a plan approved under this part; (B) the State shall pay to a TANF family all of the current support amount collected by the State on behalf of the family and all of any excess amount collected on behalf of the family to the extent necessary to satisfy support arrearages; and (C) for purposes of determining eligibility for, and the amount and type of, assistance from the State under the State program funded under part A, the State shall disregard the current support amount paid to a TANF family and shall disregard the current support amount paid to any family that is an applicant for assistance under the State program funded under part A. (2) Former TANF families (A) In general Subject to subsections (e) and (g), beginning October 1, 2025— (i) subsection (a)(2) shall no longer apply to the distribution of amounts collected on behalf of a former TANF family as support by a State pursuant to a plan approved under this part or to support obligations assigned by the family; and (ii) the State shall pay to a former TANF family all of the current support amount collected by the State on behalf of the family and all of any excess amount collected on behalf of the family to the extent necessary to satisfy support arrearages (and the State shall treat amounts collected pursuant to an assignment by the family as if the amounts had never been assigned and shall distribute the amounts to the family in accordance with subsection (a)(4)). (B) State option for earlier implementation A State may elect to apply subparagraph (A) to the distribution of amounts collected on behalf of a former TANF family as support by a State pursuant to a plan approved under this part beginning on the first day of any quarter of fiscal year 2024 or 2025. (3) Definitions In this subsection: (A) TANF family The term TANF family (B) Former TANF family The term former TANF family (C) Excess amount The term excess amount . (b) Temporary increase in matching rate Section 455(a)(3) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 655(a)(3) (3) (A) The Secretary shall pay to each State, for each quarter of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 90 percent of so much of the State expenditures described in paragraph (1)(B) for the quarter as the Secretary finds are for a system meeting the requirements specified in sections 454(16) and 454A. (B) In the case of a State which elects the option under subparagraph (B) of section 457(f)(2) to apply subparagraph (A) of that section to the distribution of amounts collected on behalf of a former TANF family (as defined in subparagraph (B) of section 457(f)(3)) as support by a State pursuant to a plan approved under this part beginning on the first day of any quarter of fiscal year 2024 or 2025, the Secretary shall pay to the State for each quarter of fiscal year 2024 and 2025 for which such an election has been made, 90 percent of so much of the State expenditures described in paragraph (1)(B) for the quarter as the Secretary finds are for a system meeting the requirements specified in sections 454(16) and 454A. (C) This paragraph shall not apply to State expenditures described in paragraph (1)(B) for any quarter beginning on or after September 30, 2024 (September 30, 2023, in the case of a State that does not elect the option described in subparagraph (B)). . (c) Transition to elimination of excepted portion for pass-Through disregard option (1) In general Subparagraph (B) of section 457(a)(6) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657(a)(6) (B) Families that currently receive assistance under part A During each of fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023, in the case of a family that receives assistance from the State under the State program funded under part A, a State shall not be required to pay to the Federal Government the Federal share of an amount collected on behalf of a family receiving assistance from the State under the State program funded under part A to the extent that the State— (i) pays the amount to the family; and (ii) disregards all of the amount collected that does not exceed the current support amount for purposes of determining the family's eligibility for, and the amount and type of, assistance from the State under the State program funded under part A. . (2) Conforming amendment Section 457(a)(6) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657(a)(6) ; transition to elimination of excepted portion participation (d) Amounts collected on behalf of families receiving foster care maintenance payments (1) In general Section 457 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657 (g) Distribution of amounts collected on behalf of a child for whom foster care maintenance payments are being made (1) In general Beginning October 1, 2023— (A) subsection (e) shall no longer apply to the distribution of amounts collected by a State as child support for months in any period on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E; (B) with respect to the current support amount collected by the State on behalf of the child, the State shall elect to— (i) pay such amount to a foster parent of the child or a kinship caregiver for the child whenever practicable, or to the person responsible for meeting the child's day-to-day needs; or (ii) deposit such amount in a savings account to be used for the child's future needs in the event of the child's reunification with family from which the child was removed (including for reunification services for the child and family); (C) to the extent any amount collected exceeds the current support amount and, after the beginning of the period in which a public agency began making foster care maintenance payments under part E on behalf of the child, support arrearages have accrued with respect to the child, the State shall deposit such excess amount into a savings account to be used for the child's future needs; and (D) when the child is returned to the family from which the child was removed, or placed for adoption, with a legal guardian, or, if adoption or legal guardianship is determined not to be safe and appropriate for a child, in some other planned, permanent living arrangement, any amount in such savings account shall— (i) if the child has attained age 18, be transferred to the child; or (ii) if the child has not attained age 18, be maintained in such account until the child attains such age, and shall be transferred to the child when the child attains such age. (2) Administration The State agency responsible for administering the program under this part shall be responsible for the distribution under this subsection of amounts collected on behalf of a child for whom a public agency is making foster care maintenance payments under part E. . (2) GAO report (A) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall study the implementation and impact of the requirements for distribution of amounts collected on behalf of a child for whom foster care maintenance payments are being made under subsection (g) of section 457 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657 (B) Report Not later than January 1, 2027, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the study required under paragraph (1) that includes information on the following: (i) A description of how States have elected to implement the distribution requirements of such subsection, including with respect to the choices States make regarding how much of current support amounts are paid to foster families, saved in the event of a child's reunification with the family from which the child was removed, or saved for the child's future needs. (ii) A description of how States distribute or use amounts saved in the event of a child's reunification with the family from which the child was removed, including the extent to which such amounts are used to provide reunification services for the child and family or distributed in full to the family. (iii) Recommendations regarding best practices regarding distributions made under such subsection, along with recommendations for such administrative or legislative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. (e) Elimination of option To apply former distribution rules for families formerly receiving assistance (1) In general Section 454 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 654 (A) in paragraph (32)(C), by adding and (B) in paragraph (33), by striking ; and (C) by striking paragraph (34). (2) Effective date The amendments made by paragraph (1) take effect on October 1, 2023. (f) Conforming amendments (1) Section 454B(c)(1) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 654b(c)(1) 457(a) 457 (2) Section 457 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657 (A) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking subsection (a) subsections (a), (f), and (g) (B) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, amounts Subject to subsection (g), amounts 502. Improving State documentation and reporting of child support collection data (a) State plan requirement Paragraph (10) of section 454(10) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 654(10) (10) provide that the State will— (A) maintain a full record of collections and disbursements made under the plan and have an adequate reporting system; and (B) document outcomes with respect to each child support obligation that is enforced by the State, including monthly support payment amounts (distinguishing between full monthly payments and partial monthly payments) and the frequency of monthly support payments for each such case and include information on such outcomes in the annual report required under paragraph (15); . (b) Inclusion in annual report by the Secretary Section 452(a)(10)(A) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 652(a)(10)(A) (1) in clause (ii), by striking and (2) in clause (iii)(II), by adding and (3) by adding at the end the following: (iv) information on the documented outcomes with respect to each child support obligation that was enforced under a State plan approved under this part during the fiscal year, as required under paragraph (10) of section 454 and included in the annual report required under paragraph (15) of that section; . VI Program Flexibility During the COVID–19 Pandemic 601. Emergency TANF flexibility (a) In general With respect to the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends September 30, 2021: (1) Sections 408(a)(2), 409(a)(5), and 409(a)(8) of the Social Security Act shall have no force or effect. (2) Notwithstanding section 466(d) of such Act, the Secretary may exempt a State from any requirement of section 466 of such Act to respond to the COVID–19 pandemic, except that the Secretary may not exempt a State from any requirement to— (A) provide a parent with notice of a right to request a review and, if appropriate, adjustment of a support order; or (B) afford a parent the opportunity to make such a request. (3) The Secretary may not impose a penalty or take any other adverse action against a State pursuant to section 452(g)(1) of such Act for failure to achieve a paternity establishment percentage of less than 90 percent. (4) The Secretary may not find that the paternity establishment percentage for a State is not based on reliable data for purposes of section 452(g)(1) of such Act, and the Secretary may not determine that the data which a State submitted pursuant to section 452(a)(4)(C)(i) of such Act and which is used in determining a performance level is not complete or reliable for purposes of section 458(b)(5)(B) of such Act, on the basis of the failure of the State to submit OCSE Form 396 or 34 in a timely manner. (5) The Secretary may not impose a penalty or take any other adverse action against a State for failure to comply with section 454B(c)(1) or 454A(g)(1)(A)(i) of such Act. (6) The Secretary may not disapprove a State plan submitted pursuant to part D of title IV of such Act for failure of the plan to meet the requirement of section 454(1) of such Act, and may not impose a penalty or take any other adverse action against a State with such a plan that meets that requirement for failure to comply with that requirement. (7) To the extent that a preceding provision of this section applies with respect to a provision of law applicable to a program operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined in subsections (e) and (l) of section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 450b (8) Any increase in the Federal medical assistance percentage for a State resulting from the application of this subsection shall not be taken into account for purposes of calculating the Federal share of assigned collections paid by the State to the Federal Government under section 457 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657 (b) State defined In subsection (a), the term State (c) Technical correction Section 6008 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d (e) Scope of application An increase in the Federal medical assistance percentage for a State under this section shall not be taken into account for purposes of calculating the Federal share of assigned collections paid by the State to the Federal Government under section 457 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 657 . (d) State performance year for incentive payments Notwithstanding section 458 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 658a 42 U.S.C. 654(15)(B) 602. 2020 recovery rebates not subject to reduction or offset with respect to past-due support (a) In general Section 2201(d)(2) of the CARES Act is amended by inserting (c), (d) (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to credits and refunds allowed or made after the date of the enactment of this Act. 603. Protection of 2020 recovery rebates (a) In general Subsection (d) of section 2201 of the CARES Act ( Public Law 116–136 (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and by moving such subparagraphs 2 ems to the right, (2) by striking reduction or offset reduction, offset, garnishment, etc (1) In general Any credit , and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (2) Assignment of benefits (A) In general The right of any person to any applicable payment shall not be transferable or assignable, at law or in equity, and no applicable payment shall be subject to, execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or the operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law. (B) Encoding of payments As soon as practicable, but not earlier than 10 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, in the case of an applicable payment that is paid electronically by direct deposit through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) shall— (i) issue the payment using a unique identifier that is reasonably sufficient to allow a financial institution to identify the payment as an applicable payment, and (ii) further encode the payment pursuant to the same specifications as required for a benefit payment defined in section 212.3 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations. (C) Garnishment (i) Encoded payments In the case of a garnishment order received after the date that is 10 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph and that applies to an account that has received an applicable payment that is encoded as provided in subparagraph (B), a financial institution shall follow the requirements and procedures set forth in part 212 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, except a financial institution shall not, with regard to any applicable payment, be required to provide the notice referenced in sections 212.6 and 212.7 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations. This paragraph shall not alter the status of applicable payments as tax refunds or other nonbenefit payments for purpose of any reclamation rights of the Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service as per part 210 of title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (ii) Other payments If a financial institution receives a garnishment order, other than an order that has been served by the United States or an order that has been served by a Federal, State, or local child support enforcement agency, that has been received by a financial institution after the date that is 10 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph and that applies to an account into which an applicable payment that has not been encoded as provided in subparagraph (B) has been deposited electronically or by an applicable payment that has been deposited by check on any date in the lookback period, the financial institution, upon the request of the account holder, shall treat the amount of the funds in the account at the time of the request, up to the amount of the applicable payment (in addition to any amounts otherwise protected under part 212 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations), as exempt from a garnishment order without requiring the consent of the party serving the garnishment order or the judgment creditor. (iii) Liability A financial institution that acts in good faith in reliance on clauses (i) or (ii) shall not be subject to liability or regulatory action under any Federal or State law, regulation, court or other order, or regulatory interpretation for actions concerning any applicable payments. (D) Definitions For purposes of this paragraph— (i) Account holder The term account holder (ii) Account review The term account review (iii) Applicable payment The term applicable payment section 6428 (iv) Garnishment The term garnishment (v) Garnishment order The term garnishment order (vi) Lookback period The term lookback period . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. VII Effective Date 701. Effective date (a) In general Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and shall apply to payments under parts A and D of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, and without regard to whether regulations to implement the amendments (in the case of State programs operated under such part D) are promulgated by such date. (b) Exception for state plans requiring state law amendments In the case of a State plan under part A or D of title IV of the Social Security Act which the Secretary determines requires State legislation in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the effective date of the amendments imposing the additional requirements shall be 3 months after 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 the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session shall be considered to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.

Summary: Strengthening Families for Success Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes, establishes, and revises programs related to healthy families, parenting time arrangements, and child support. This includes temporarily waiving certain state requirements under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program related to the enforcement of child support orders.