which grant funds are sought, which goals and 
outcomes must result in— 
‘‘(i) reducing the time it takes for a 
child to be provided with a safe and appro-
priate 
permanent 
living 
arrangement 
across State lines; 
‘‘(ii) improving administrative proc-
esses and reducing costs in the foster care 
system; and 
‘‘(iii) the secure exchange of relevant 
case files and other necessary materials in 
real time, and timely communications and 
placement decisions regarding interstate 
placements of children. 
‘‘(B) A description of the activities to be 
funded in whole or in part with the grant 
funds, including the sequencing of the activities. 
‘‘(C) A description of the strategies for in-
tegrating programs and services for children 
who are placed across State lines. 
‘‘(D) Such other information as the Sec-
retary may require. 
‘‘(3) GRANT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may 
make a grant to a State that complies with para-
graph (2). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) USE OF FUNDS.—A State to which a grant 
is made under this subsection shall use the grant to 
support the State in connecting with the electronic 
interstate case-processing system described in para-
graph (1). 
‘‘(5) EVALUATIONS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the final year in which grants are awarded 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Congress, and make available to the general 
public by posting on a website, a report that con-
tains the following information: 
‘‘(A) How using the electronic interstate 
case-processing system developed pursuant to 
paragraph (4) has changed the time it takes for 
children to be placed across State lines. 
‘‘(B) The number of cases subject to the 
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Chil-
dren that were processed through the electronic 
interstate case-processing system, and the num-
ber of interstate child placement cases that 
were processed outside the electronic interstate 
case-processing system, by each State in each 
year. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) The progress made by States in im-
plementing the electronic interstate case-proc-
essing system. 
‘‘(D) How using the electronic interstate 
case-processing system has affected various 
metrics related to child safety and well-being, 
including the time it takes for children to be 
placed across State lines. 
‘‘(E) How using the electronic interstate 
case-processing system has affected administra-
tive costs and caseworker time spent on placing 
children across State lines. 
‘‘(6) DATA
INTEGRATION.—The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Secretariat for the Interstate 
Compact on the Placement of Children and the 
States, shall assess how the electronic interstate 
case-processing system developed pursuant to para-
graph (4) could be used to better serve and protect 
children that come to the attention of the child wel-
fare system, by— 
‘‘(A) connecting the system with other 
data systems (such as systems operated by 
State law enforcement and judicial agencies, 
systems operated by the Federal Bureau of In-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
vestigation for the purposes of the Innocence 
Lost National Initiative, and other systems); 
‘‘(B) simplifying and improving reporting 
related to paragraphs (34) and (35) of section 
471(a) regarding children or youth who have 
been identified as being a sex trafficking victim 
or children missing from foster care; and 
‘‘(C) improving the ability of States to 
quickly comply with background check require-
ments of section 471(a)(20), including checks of 
child abuse and neglect registries as required by 
section 471(a)(20)(B).’’. 
(c) RESERVATION
OF FUNDS TO IMPROVE
THE 
INTERSTATE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN.—Section 437(b) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 637(b)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(4) IMPROVING THE INTERSTATE PLACEMENT 
OF
CHILDREN.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
reserve 
$5,000,000 of the amount made available for fiscal 
year 2017 for grants under subsection (g), and the 
amount so reserved shall remain available through 
fiscal year 2021.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 123. ENHANCEMENTS TO GRANTS TO IMPROVE WELL- 
BEING OF FAMILIES AFFECTED BY SUB-
STANCE ABUSE. 
Section 437(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
629g(f)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘IN-
CREASE
THE WELL-BEING
OF, AND
TO IMPROVE 
THE PERMANENCY OUTCOMES FOR, CHILDREN AF-
FECTED BY’’ and inserting ‘‘IMPLEMENT IV–E PRE-
VENTION
SERVICES, AND
IMPROVE
THE
WELL- 
BEING OF, AND IMPROVE PERMANENCY OUTCOMES 
FOR, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY HER-
OIN, OPIOIDS, AND OTHER’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(2) REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIP
DEFINED.—In 
this subsection, the term ‘regional partnership’ 
means a collaborative agreement (which may be es-
tablished on an interstate, State, or intrastate basis) 
entered into by the following: 
‘‘(A) MANDATORY
PARTNERS
FOR
ALL 
PARTNERSHIP GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) The State child welfare agency 
that is responsible for the administration 
of the State plan under this part and part 
E. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:18 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) The State agency responsible for 
administering the substance abuse preven-
tion and treatment block grant provided 
under subpart II of part B of title XIX of 
the Public Health Service Act. 
‘‘(B) MANDATORY PARTNERS FOR PART-
NERSHIP GRANTS PROPOSING TO SERVE CHIL-
DREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS.—If the 
partnership proposes to serve children in out-of- 
home placements, the Juvenile Court or Admin-
istrative Office of the Court that is most appro-
priate to oversee the administration of court 
programs in the region to address the popu-
lation of families who come to the attention of 
the court due to child abuse or neglect. 
‘‘(C) OPTIONAL PARTNERS.—At the option 
of the partnership, any of the following: 
‘‘(i) An Indian tribe or tribal consor-
tium. 
‘‘(ii) Nonprofit child welfare service 
providers. 
‘‘(iii) For-profit child welfare service 
providers. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iv) Community health service pro-
viders, including substance abuse treat-
ment providers. 
‘‘(v) Community mental health pro-
viders. 
‘‘(vi) Local law enforcement agencies. 
‘‘(vii) School personnel. 
‘‘(viii) Tribal child welfare agencies 
(or a consortia of the agencies). 
‘‘(ix) Any other providers, agencies, 
personnel, officials, or entities that are re-
lated to the provision of child and family 
services under a State plan approved under 
this subpart. 
‘‘(D) EXCEPTION
FOR
REGIONAL
PART-
NERSHIPS WHERE THE LEAD APPLICANT IS AN 
INDIAN TRIBE OR TRIBAL CONSORTIA.—If an 
Indian tribe or tribal consortium enters into a 
regional partnership for purposes of this sub-
section, the Indian tribe or tribal consortium— 
‘‘(i) may (but is not required to) in-
clude the State child welfare agency as a 
partner in the collaborative agreement; 
‘‘(ii) may not enter into a collabo-
rative agreement only with tribal child wel-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
fare agencies (or a consortium of the agen-
cies); and 
‘‘(iii) if the condition described in 
paragraph (2)(B) applies, may include 
tribal court organizations in lieu of other 
judicial partners.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘2012 through 2016’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2017 through 2021’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘$500,000 and not 
more than $1,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$250,000 
and 
not 
more 
than 
$1,000,000’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in the subparagraph heading, by 
inserting ‘‘; PLANNING’’ after ‘‘APPROVAL’’; 
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘clause 
(ii)’’ and inserting ‘‘clauses (ii) and (iii)’’; 
and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) 
SUFFICIENT
PLANNING.—A 
grant awarded under this subsection shall 
be disbursed in 2 phases: a planning phase 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(not to exceed 2 years); and an implemen-
tation phase. The total disbursement to a 
grantee for the planning phase may not ex-
ceed $250,000, and may not exceed the 
total anticipated funding for the implemen-
tation phase.’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION ON PAYMENT FOR A FIS-
CAL YEAR.—No payment shall be made under 
subparagraph (A) or (C) for a fiscal year until 
the Secretary determines that the eligible part-
nership has made sufficient progress in meeting 
the goals of the grant and that the members of 
the eligible partnership are coordinating to a 
reasonable degree with the other members of 
the eligible partnership.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘, par-
ents, and families’’ after ‘‘children’’; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘safety 
and permanence for such children; and’’ 
and inserting ‘‘safe, permanent caregiving 
relationships for the children;’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(iii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘or’’ 
and inserting ‘‘increase reunification rates 
for children who have been placed in out of 
home care, or decrease’’; and 
(iv) by redesignating clause (iii) as 
clause (v) and inserting after clause (ii) 
the following: 
‘‘(iii) improve the substance abuse 
treatment outcomes for parents including 
retention in treatment and successful com-
pletion of treatment; 
‘‘(iv) facilitate the implementation, de-
livery, and effectiveness of prevention serv-
ices and programs under section 471(e); 
and’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘where appropriate,’’; and 
(C) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (F) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(E) A description of a plan for sustaining 
the services provided by or activities funded 
under the grant after the conclusion of the 
grant period, including through the use of pre-
vention services and programs under section 
471(e) and other funds provided to the State 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
for child welfare and substance abuse preven-
tion and treatment services. 
‘‘(F) Additional information needed by the 
Secretary to determine that the proposed activi-
ties and implementation will be consistent with 
research or evaluations showing which practices 
and approaches are most effective.’’; 
(5) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ‘‘abuse 
treatment’’ and inserting ‘‘use disorder treatment in-
cluding medication assisted treatment and in-home 
substance abuse disorder treatment and recovery’’; 
(6) in paragraph (7)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (C); and 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
subparagraph (E) and inserting after subpara-
graph (C) the following: 
‘‘(D) demonstrate a track record of suc-
cessful collaboration among child welfare, sub-
stance abuse disorder treatment and mental 
health agencies; and’’; 
(7) in paragraph (8)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(i) by striking ‘‘establish indicators 
that will be’’ and inserting ‘‘review indica-
tors that are’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘in using funds made 
available under such grants to achieve the 
purpose of this subsection’’ and inserting 
‘‘and establish a set of core indicators re-
lated to child safety, parental recovery, 
parenting capacity, and family well-being. 
In developing the core indicators, to the 
extent possible, indicators shall be made 
consistent with the outcome measures de-
scribed in section 471(e)(6)’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), 
by inserting ‘‘base the performance meas-
ures on lessons learned from prior rounds 
of regional partnership grants under this 
subsection, and’’ before ‘‘consult’’; and 
(ii) by striking clauses (iii) and (iv) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(iii) Other stakeholders or constitu-
encies as determined by the Secretary.’’; 
(8) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking clause (i) 
and inserting the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 131. REVIEWING AND IMPROVING LICENSING STAND-
ARDS FOR PLACEMENT IN A RELATIVE FOS-
TER FAMILY HOME. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION
OF REPUTABLE MODEL LI-
CENSING STANDARDS.—Not later than October 1, 2017, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall identify 
reputable model licensing standards with respect to the li-
censing of foster family homes (as defined in section 
472(c)(1) of the Social Security Act). 
(b) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Section 471(a) of 
the Social Security Act is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (34)(B), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (35)(B), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(36) provides that, not later than April 1, 
2018, the State shall submit to the Secretary infor-
mation addressing— 
‘‘(A) whether the State licensing standards 
are in accord with model standards identified 
by the Secretary, and if not, the reason for the 
specific deviation and a description as to why 
having a standard that is reasonably in accord 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
with the corresponding national model stand-
ards is not appropriate for the State; 
‘‘(B) whether the State has elected to 
waive standards established in 471(a)(10)(A) 
for relative foster family homes (pursuant to 
waiver authority provided by 471(a)(10)(D)), a 
description of which standards the State most 
commonly waives, and if the State has not 
elected to waive the standards, the reason for 
not waiving these standards; 
‘‘(C) if the State has elected to waive 
standards specified in subparagraph (B), how 
caseworkers are trained to use the waiver au-
thority and whether the State has developed a 
process or provided tools to assist caseworkers 
in waiving nonsafety standards per the author-
ity provided in 471(a)(10)(D) to quickly place 
children with relatives; and 
‘‘(D) a description of the steps the State is 
taking to improve caseworker training or the 
process, if any; and’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 132. DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE PLAN TO PRE-
VENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT FATALI-
TIES. 
Section 422(b)(19) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 622(b)(19)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(19) document steps taken to track and pre-
vent child maltreatment deaths by including— 
‘‘(A) a description of the steps the State is 
taking to compile complete and accurate infor-
mation on the deaths required by Federal law 
to be reported by the State agency referred to 
in paragraph (1), including gathering relevant 
information on the deaths from the relevant or-
ganizations in the State including entities such 
as State vital statistics department, child death 
review teams, law enforcement agencies, offices 
of medical examiners or coroners; and 
‘‘(B) a description of the steps the State is 
taking to develop and implement of a com-
prehensive, statewide plan to prevent the fatali-
ties that involves and engages relevant public 
and private agency partners, including those in 
public 
health, 
law 
enforcement, 
and 
the 
courts.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:18 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 133. MODERNIZING THE TITLE AND PURPOSE OF 
TITLE IV–E. 
(a) PART HEADING.—The heading for part E of title 
IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘Subtitle E—Federal Payments for 
Foster Care, Prevention, and 
Permanency’’. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The first sentence of section 470 of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 670) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘1995) and’’ and inserting 
‘‘1995),’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘kinship guardianship assist-
ance, and prevention services or programs specified 
in section 471(e)(1),’’ after ‘‘needs,’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘(commencing with the fiscal 
year which begins October 1, 1980)’’. 
SEC. 134. EFFECTIVE DATES. 
(a) EFFECTIVE DATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), subject to subsection (b), the amend-
ments made by this title shall take effect on October 
1, 2016. 
(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The amendments made by 
sections 131 and 133 shall take effect on the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:18 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(b) TRANSITION RULE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a State plan 
under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security 
Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices determines requires State legislation (other than 
legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan 
to meet the additional requirements imposed by the 
amendments made by this title, the State plan shall 
not be regarded as failing to comply with the re-
quirements of such part solely on the basis of the 
failure of the plan to meet such additional require-
ments before the first day of the first calendar quar-
ter beginning after the close of the first regular ses-
sion of the State legislature that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the 
previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 
2-year legislative session, each year of the session 
shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of 
the State legislature. 
(2) APPLICATION TO PROGRAMS OPERATED BY 
INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.—In the case of an 
Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium 
which the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
determines requires time to take action necessary to 
comply with the additional requirements imposed by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
the amendments made by this title (whether the 
tribe, organization, or tribal consortium has a plan 
under section 479B of the Social Security Act or a 
cooperative agreement or contract entered into with 
a State), the Secretary shall provide the tribe, orga-
nization, or tribal consortium with such additional 
time as the Secretary determines is necessary for the 
tribe, organization, or tribal consortium to take the 
action to comply with the additional requirements 
before being regarded as failing to comply with the 
requirements. 
TITLE II—ENSURING THE NE-
CESSITY OF A PLACEMENT 
THAT IS NOT IN A FOSTER 
FAMILY HOME 
SEC. 201. LIMITATION ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPA-
TION FOR PLACEMENTS THAT ARE NOT IN 
FOSTER FAMILY HOMES. 
(a) LIMITATION ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 472 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 672), as amended by sec-
tion 112, is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00060
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by inserting ‘‘, 
but only to the extent permitted under sub-
section (k)’’ after ‘‘institution’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) LIMITATION ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICI-
PATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning with the third 
week for which foster care maintenance payments 
are made under this section on behalf of a child 
placed in a child-care institution, no Federal pay-
ment shall be made to the State under section 
474(a)(1) for amounts expended for foster care 
maintenance payments on behalf of the child un-
less— 
‘‘(A) the child is placed in a child-care in-
stitution that is a setting specified in paragraph 
(2) (or is placed in a licensed residential family- 
based treatment facility consistent with sub-
section (j)); and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a child placed in a 
qualified residential treatment program (as de-
fined in paragraph (4)), the requirements speci-
fied in paragraph (3) and section 475A(c) are 
met. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) SPECIFIED SETTINGS FOR PLACEMENT.— 
The settings for placement specified in this para-
graph are the following: 
‘‘(A) A qualified residential treatment pro-
gram (as defined in paragraph (4)). 
‘‘(B) A setting specializing in providing 
prenatal, post-partum, or parenting supports 
for youth. 
‘‘(C) In the case of a child who has at-
tained 18 years of age, a supervised setting in 
which the child is living independently. 
‘‘(3) ASSESSMENT
TO
DETERMINE
APPRO-
PRIATENESS OF PLACEMENT IN A QUALIFIED RESI-
DENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(A) DEADLINE
FOR
ASSESSMENT.—In 
the case of a child who is placed in a qualified 
residential treatment program, if the assess-
ment required under section 475A(c)(1) is not 
completed within 30 days after the placement is 
made, no Federal payment shall be made to the 
State under section 474(a)(1) for any amounts 
expended for foster care maintenance payments 
on behalf of the child during the placement. 
‘‘(B) DEADLINE FOR TRANSITION OUT OF 
PLACEMENT.—If the assessment required under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
section 475A(c)(1) determines that the place-
ment of a child in a qualified residential treat-
ment program is not appropriate, a court dis-
approves such a placement under section 
475A(c)(2), or a child who has been in an ap-
proved placement in a qualified residential 
treatment program is going to return home or 
be placed with a fit and willing relative, a legal 
guardian, or an adoptive parent, or in a foster 
family home, Federal payments shall be made 
to the State under section 474(a)(1) for 
amounts expended for foster care maintenance 
payments on behalf of the child while the child 
remains in the qualified residential treatment 
program only during the period necessary for 
the child to transition home or to such a place-
ment. In no event shall a State receive Federal 
payments under section 474(a)(1) for amounts 
expended for foster care maintenance payments 
on behalf of a child who remains placed in a 
qualified residential treatment program after 
the end of the 30-day period that begins on the 
date a determination is made that the place-
ment is no longer the recommended or approved 
placement for the child. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) QUALIFIED
RESIDENTIAL
TREATMENT 
PROGRAM.—For purposes of this part, the term 
‘qualified residential treatment program’ means a 
program that— 
‘‘(A) has a trauma-informed treatment 
model that is designed to address the needs, in-
cluding clinical needs as appropriate, of chil-
dren with serious emotional or behavioral dis-
orders or disturbances and, with respect to a 
child, is able to implement the treatment identi-
fied for the child by the assessment of the child 
required under section 475A(c); 
‘‘(B) has registered or licensed nursing 
staff and other licensed clinical staff who— 
‘‘(i) provide care within the scope of 
their practice as defined by State law; 
‘‘(ii) are on-site during business 
hours; and 
‘‘(iii) are available 24 hours a day and 
7 days a week; 
‘‘(C) to the extent appropriate, and in ac-
cordance with the child’s best interests, facili-
tates participation of family members in the 
child’s treatment program; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:18 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) facilitates outreach to the family 
members of the child, including siblings, docu-
ments how the outreach is made (including con-
tact information), and maintains contact infor-
mation for any known biological family and fic-
tive kin of the child; 
‘‘(E) documents how family members are 
integrated into the treatment process for the 
child, including post-discharge, and how sibling 
connections are maintained; 
‘‘(F) provides discharge planning and fam-
ily-based aftercare support for at least 6 
months post-discharge; and 
‘‘(G) is licensed in accordance with section 
471(a)(10) and is accredited by any of the fol-
lowing independent, not-for-profit organizations: 
‘‘(i) The Commission on Accreditation 
of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). 
‘‘(ii) The Joint Commission on Ac-
creditation of Healthcare Organizations 
(JCAHO). 
‘‘(iii) The Council on Accreditation 
(COA). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00065
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iv) Any other independent, not-for- 
profit accrediting organization approved by 
the Secretary.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
474(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
674(a)(1)), as amended by section 112(b), is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘subsection (j)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
sections (j) and (k)’’. 
(b) DEFINITION OF FOSTER FAMILY HOME, CHILD- 
CARE INSTITUTION.—Section 472(c) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 672(c)(1)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this part: 
‘‘(1) FOSTER FAMILY HOME.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘foster fam-
ily home’ means the home of an individual or 
family— 
‘‘(i) that is licensed or approved by 
the State in which it is situated as a foster 
family home that meets the standards es-
tablished for the licensing or approval; and 
‘‘(ii) in which a child in foster care 
has been placed in the care of an indi-
vidual, who resides with the child and who 
has been licensed or approved by the State 
to be a foster parent— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00066
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) that the State deems capable 
of adhering to the reasonable and pru-
dent parent standard; 
‘‘(II) that provides 24-hour sub-
stitute care for children placed away 
from their parents or other care-
takers; and 
‘‘(III) that provides the care for 
not more than 6 children in foster 
care. 
‘‘(B) STATE FLEXIBILITY.—The number of 
foster children that may be cared for in a home 
under subparagraph (A) may exceed the numer-
ical limitation in subparagraph (A)(ii)(III), at 
the option of the State, for any of the following 
reasons: 
‘‘(i) To allow a parenting youth in fos-
ter care to remain with the child of the 
parenting youth. 
‘‘(ii) To allow siblings to remain to-
gether. 
‘‘(iii) To allow a child with an estab-
lished meaningful relationship with the 
family to remain with the family. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(iv) To allow a family with special 
training or skills to provide care to a child 
who has a severe disability. 
‘‘(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Subpara-
graph (A) shall not be construed as prohibiting 
a foster parent from renting the home in which 
the parent cares for a foster child placed in the 
parent’s care. 
‘‘(2) CHILD-CARE INSTITUTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘child-care 
institution’ means a private child-care institu-
tion, or a public child-care institution which ac-
commodates no more than 25 children, which is 
licensed by the State in which it is situated or 
has been approved by the agency of the State 
responsible for licensing or approval of institu-
tions of this type as meeting the standards es-
tablished for the licensing. 
‘‘(B) SUPERVISED SETTINGS.—In the case 
of a child who has attained 18 years of age, the 
term shall include a supervised setting in which 
the individual is living independently, in accord-
ance with such conditions as the Secretary shall 
establish in regulations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(C) EXCLUSIONS.—The term shall not in-
clude detention facilities, forestry camps, train-
ing schools, or any other facility operated pri-
marily for the detention of children who are de-
termined to be delinquent.’’. 
(c) TRAINING FOR STATE JUDGES, ATTORNEYS, AND 
OTHER
LEGAL
PERSONNEL
IN
CHILD
WELFARE 
CASES.—Section 438(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
629h(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A) by inserting ‘‘shall provide for the training of 
judges, attorneys, and other legal personnel in child wel-
fare cases on Federal child welfare policies and payment 
limitations with respect to children in foster care who are 
placed in settings that are not a foster family home,’’ after 
‘‘with respect to the child,’’. 
(d) ASSURANCE OF NONIMPACT ON JUVENILE JUS-
TICE SYSTEM.— 
(1) 
STATE
PLAN
REQUIREMENT.—Section 
471(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)), as amended 
by section 131, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(37) includes a certification that, in response 
to the limitation imposed under section 472(k) with 
respect to foster care maintenance payments made 
on behalf of any child who is placed in a setting that 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
is not a foster family home, the State will not enact 
or advance policies or practices that would result in 
a significant increase in the population of youth in 
the State’s juvenile justice system.’’. 
(2) GAO STUDY
AND
REPORT.—The Comp-
troller General of the United States shall evaluate 
the impact, if any, on State juvenile justice systems 
of the limitation imposed under section 472(k) of 
the Social Security Act (as added by section 
201(a)(1)) on foster care maintenance payments 
made on behalf of any child who is placed in a set-
ting that is not a foster family home, in accordance 
with the amendments made by subsections (a) and 
(b) of this section. In particular, the Comptroller 
General shall evaluate the extent to which children 
in foster care who also are subject to the juvenile 
justice system of the State are placed in a facility 
under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system 
and whether the lack of available congregate care 
placements under the jurisdiction of the child wel-
fare systems is a contributing factor to that result. 
Not later than December 31, 2023, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to Congress a report on the re-
sults of the evaluation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 202. ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE 
NEED FOR PLACEMENT IN A QUALIFIED RES-
IDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM. 
Section 475A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
675a) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) ASSESSMENT, DOCUMENTATION, AND JUDICIAL 
DETERMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT IN A 
QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM.—In 
the case of any child who is placed in a qualified residen-
tial treatment program (as defined in section 472(k)(4)), 
the following requirements shall apply for purposes of ap-
proving the case plan for the child and the case system 
review procedure for the child: 
‘‘(1)(A) Within 30 days of the start of each 
placement in such a setting, a qualified individual 
(as defined in subparagraph (D)) shall— 
‘‘(i) assess the strengths and needs of the 
child using an age-appropriate, evidence-based, 
validated, functional assessment tool approved 
by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) determine whether the needs of the 
child can be met with family members or 
through placement in a foster family home or, 
if not, which setting from among the settings 
specified in section 472(k)(2) would provide the 
most effective and appropriate level of care for 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:04 Jun 14, 2016
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5456.IH
H5456
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS