I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8745 
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the 
monthly caseworker visits program so States can invest in the child 
welfare workforce ensuring that children in care have access to quality 
and timely care. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 13, 2024 
Mr. SMUCKER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act 
to improve the monthly caseworker visits program so 
States can invest in the child welfare workforce ensuring 
that children in care have access to quality and timely 
care. 
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 ‘‘Child Welfare Work-
force Development Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. CHILD WELFARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) 
MODIFICATION
OF
PAYMENT
REDUCTION 
RULES.—Section 424(f) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 624(f)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(1)(A)’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (B); and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2). 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Section 436(b)(4)(B)(i) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(4)(B)(i)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘emphasis on’’ and all that fol-
lows and inserting ‘‘emphasis on—’’; and 
(2) by adding after and below the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(I) reducing caseload ratios and 
the administrative burden on case-
workers, to improve caseworker deci-
sion making on the safety, perma-
nency, and well-being of foster chil-
dren and on activities designed to in-
crease retention, recruitment, and 
training of caseworkers; 
‘‘(II) 
implementing 
technology 
solutions to streamline caseworker du-
ties and modernize systems, ensuring 
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improved efficiency and effectiveness 
in child welfare services; 
‘‘(III) technologies designed to 
enhance caseworker safety; 
‘‘(IV) 
developing 
and 
imple-
menting mentoring or coaching pro-
grams 
that 
address 
work-related 
stress and offer frontline workers sup-
port; and 
‘‘(V) 
recruitment 
campaigns 
aimed at attracting qualified case-
worker candidates.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2026, 
and shall apply to payments under part B of title IV 
of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters be-
ginning on or after such date. 
(2) DELAY PERMITTED IF STATE LEGISLATION 
REQUIRED.—If the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services determines that State legislation (other 
than legislation appropriating funds) is required in 
order for a State plan developed pursuant to part B 
of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the ad-
ditional requirements imposed by the amendments 
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made by this section, the plan shall not be regarded 
as failing to meet any of the additional requirements 
before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter begin-
ning after the first regular session of the State legis-
lature that begins after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if 
the State has a 2-year legislative session, each year 
of the session is deemed to be a separate regular 
session of the State legislature. 
Æ 
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