I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8621 
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to support State 
implementation of Federal standards established under the Indian Child 
Welfare Act of 1978. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 5, 2024 
Mr. BACON (for himself, Ms. CHU, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. COLE, and Ms. DAVIDS 
of Kansas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act 
to support State implementation of Federal standards 
established under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening Tribal 
Families Act of 2024’’. 
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SEC. 2. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDIAN 
CHILD WELFARE ACT OF 1978. 
Subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 429B. EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDIAN 
CHILD WELFARE ACT OF 1978. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2025, 
the Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribal organiza-
tions and States, shall develop a plan and provide tech-
nical assistance supporting effective implementation of the 
Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, including specific meas-
ures identified in State plans as required by section 
422(b)(9) of this Act. The technical assistance plan shall 
be based upon data sufficient to assess State strengths 
and areas for improvement in implementing Federal 
standards established under the Indian Child Welfare Act 
of 1978, including, at a minimum, the following: 
‘‘(1) Timely identification of Indian children 
and extended family members. 
‘‘(2) Timely tribal notice of State child custody 
proceedings. 
‘‘(3) Reports of cases in which a transfer of ju-
risdiction (as defined under the Indian Child Wel-
fare Act of 1978) was granted or was not granted, 
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and reasons specified for denial in cases where 
transfer was denied. 
‘‘(4) In cases in which a State court orders a 
foster care placement, whether requirements for ac-
tive efforts to prevent the breakup of the Indian 
family, testimony of a qualified expert witness, and 
evidentiary standards were met. 
‘‘(5) Whether an Indian child was placed in a 
placement that is required to be preferred under the 
Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, and if not, the 
reasons specified. 
‘‘(6) In cases in which a State court orders the 
termination of parental rights, whether requirements 
for active efforts to prevent the breakup of the In-
dian family, testimony of a qualified expert witness, 
and evidentiary standards were met. 
‘‘(b) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—On request of 
the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior shall provide 
the Secretary with such guidance and assistance as may 
be necessary to facilitate informing States and public child 
welfare agencies on how to comply with the Indian Child 
Welfare Act of 1978, including specific measures identi-
fied in State plans as required by section 422(b)(9) of this 
Act. 
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‘‘(c) BIENNIAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary shall biennially submit to the Committee on Ways 
and Means of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Finance of the Senate a written report on how— 
‘‘(1) the States are complying with the Indian 
Child Welfare Act of 1978, as required by section 
422(b)(9) of this Act; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary is assisting States and In-
dian Tribes to improve implementation of Federal 
standards established under the Indian Child Wel-
fare Act of 1978.’’. 
Æ 
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