I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8866 
To amend subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to 
require States, as a condition of Federal support for child welfare services 
programs, to facilitate access to advocates and advocacy resources for 
parents in any child welfare case or interaction involving a child of 
the parent, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 27, 2024 
Mr. MOORE of Alabama (for himself and Ms. WILD) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social 
Security Act to require States, as a condition of Federal 
support for child welfare services programs, to facilitate 
access to advocates and advocacy resources for parents 
in any child welfare case or interaction involving a child 
of the parent, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘Advocates for Families 
Act of 2024’’. 
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SEC. 2. FAMILY ADVOCATES IN CHILD WELFARE CASES. 
(a) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—Section 422(b) 
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 622(b)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (18), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (19), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(20) provide— 
‘‘(A) that the laws and procedures of the 
State shall permit any parent, foster parent, or 
legal guardian of a child to seek and receive the 
services of a family advocate, who shall have the 
authority to represent the interests and act on 
behalf of the parent, foster parent, or legal 
guardian, throughout any child welfare case or 
interaction involving the child, without obli-
gating the State to pay or provide for the serv-
ices; 
‘‘(B) that the State shall implement appro-
priate standards and rules governing the profes-
sional conduct of a family advocate; 
‘‘(C) how the State shall inform a parent, 
foster parent, or legal guardian of a child, from 
the commencement of any child welfare case or 
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interaction involving the child, of the right to be 
represented by a family advocate and of any 
local resources available to obtain the represen-
tation; and 
‘‘(D) how the State shall inform the Sec-
retary of— 
‘‘(i) the effect that honoring the right 
of every parent, foster parent, or legal 
guardian of a child to be represented by a 
family advocate has on the provision of 
child welfare services; and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendation of the State 
for ensuring that a parent, foster parent, 
or legal guardian of a child may exercise 
the right to be represented by a family ad-
vocate.’’. 
(b) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS
ON
FAMILY
ADVO-
CATES.—Subpart 1 of part B of title IV of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 621–628c) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 429B. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON FAMILY ADVO-
CATES. 
‘‘Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this 
section, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall sub-
mit a written report with respect to the right of a parent, 
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foster parent, or legal guardian of a child to be rep-
resented by a family advocate, based on the submissions 
of the States pursuant to section 422(b)(23), to— 
‘‘(1) the Committees on the Judiciary, on Edu-
cation and the Workforce, and on Ways and Means 
of the House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(2) the Committees on the Judiciary, on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and on Fi-
nance of the Senate.’’. 
Æ 
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