I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9076 
To reauthorize and modernize part B of title IV of the Social Security 
Act to strengthen child welfare services, expand the availability of preven-
tion services to better meet the needs of vulnerable families, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 22, 2024 
Mr. LAHOOD (for himself and Mr. DAVIS of Illinois) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To reauthorize and modernize part B of title IV of the 
Social Security Act to strengthen child welfare services, 
expand the availability of prevention services to better 
meet the needs of vulnerable families, 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; REFERENCES. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Fami-
lies Act’’. 
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(b) REFERENCES.—Except as otherwise expressly 
provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal 
is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, 
a section or other provision, the reference shall be consid-
ered to be made to that section or other provision of the 
Social Security Act. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents of this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; references. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
Sec. 3. Reauthorization of child welfare programs. 
Sec. 4. Enhancements to the court improvement program. 
Sec. 5. Expanding regional partnership grants to address parental substance 
use disorder as cause of child removal. 
Sec. 6. Modernization; reducing administrative burden. 
Sec. 7. Streamlining funding for Indian tribes. 
Sec. 8. Accelerating access to Family First prevention services. 
Sec. 9. Strengthening support for youth aging out of foster care. 
Sec. 10. Recognizing the importance of relative and kinship caregivers. 
Sec. 11. Avoiding neglect by addressing poverty. 
Sec. 12. Strengthening support for caseworkers. 
Sec. 13. Demonstration projects for improving relationships between incarcer-
ated parents and children in foster care. 
Sec. 14. Guidance to States on improving data collection and reporting for 
youth in residential treatment programs. 
Sec. 15. Streamlining research, training, and technical assistance funding. 
Sec. 16. Report on post adoption and subsidized guardianship services. 
Sec. 17. Effective date. 
SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHILD WELFARE PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) REAUTHORIZATION
OF SUBPART 1; DISCRE-
TIONARY FUNDING.—Section 425 (42 U.S.C. 625) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘2025 through 2029’’. 
(b) REAUTHORIZATION OF SUBPART 2; ENHANCED 
SUPPORT.—Section 436(a) (42 U.S.C. 629f(a)) is amend-
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ed by striking ‘‘each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 2025 and $420,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029’’. 
(c) REAUTHORIZATION
OF SUBPART 2; DISCRE-
TIONARY FUNDING.—Section 437(a) (42 U.S.C. 629g(a)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘2025 through 2029’’. 
(d) FUNDING LIMITATION.—Section 423(a)(2)(A) 
(42 U.S.C. 623(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, not 
to exceed $10,000,000’’ before the semicolon. 
SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENTS TO THE COURT IMPROVEMENT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) INCREASE IN RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Section 
436(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(2)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘for fiscal year 2025 and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 
and each succeeding fiscal year’’ before ‘‘for grants’’. 
(b) EXTENSION OF STATE MATCH REQUIREMENT.— 
Section 438(d) (42 U.S.C. 629h(d)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2025 through 
2029’’. 
(c) PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS.—Section 438(a) (42 
U.S.C. 629h(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
following: 
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‘‘(F) that determine the appropriateness 
and best practices for use of technology to con-
duct remote hearings, subject to participant 
consent, including to ensure maximum partici-
pation of individuals involved in proceedings 
and to enable courts to maintain operations in 
times of public health or other emergencies;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ‘‘per-
sonnel.’’ and inserting ‘‘personnel and supporting 
optimal use of remote hearing technology; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) to ensure continuity of needed court serv-
ices, prevent disruption of the services, and enable 
their recovery from threats such as public health cri-
ses, natural disasters or cyberattacks, including 
through— 
‘‘(A) support for technology that allows 
court proceedings to occur remotely, including 
hearings and legal representation; 
‘‘(B) the development of guidance and pro-
tocols for responding to the occurrences and co-
ordinating with other agencies; and 
‘‘(C) other activities carried out to ensure 
backup systems are in place.’’. 
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(d) IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE ON SHARING BEST 
PRACTICES FOR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES NEEDED FOR 
REMOTE COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR FOSTER CARE OR 
ADOPTION.—Section 438 (42 U.S.C. 629h) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Every 5 years, the Sec-
retary shall issue implementation guidance for shar-
ing information on best practices for— 
‘‘(A) technological changes needed for 
court proceedings for foster care, guardianship, 
or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way 
that maximizes engagement and protects the 
privacy of participants; and 
‘‘(B) the manner in which the proceedings 
should be conducted. 
‘‘(2) INITIAL ISSUANCE.—The Secretary shall 
issue initial guidance required by paragraph (1) with 
preliminary information on best practices not later 
than October 1, 2025. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL
CONSULTATION.—The Sec-
retary shall consult with Indian tribes on the devel-
opment of appropriate guidelines for State court 
proceedings involving Indian children to maximize 
engagement of Indian tribes and provide appropriate 
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guidelines on conducting State court proceedings 
subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 
U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).’’. 
SEC. 5. EXPANDING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS TO 
ADDRESS PARENTAL SUBSTANCE USE DIS-
ORDER AS CAUSE OF CHILD REMOVAL. 
(a) INCREASE IN RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Section 
436(b)(5) (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(5)) is amended by striking 
‘‘each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’ and inserting 
‘‘fiscal year 2025 and $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 
and each succeeding fiscal year’’. 
(b) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 437(f) (42 U.S.C. 
629g(f)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)(A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘In addition to amounts 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
section, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2017 through 2023’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2025 through 2029’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘‘for each of 
fiscal years 2017 through 2023’’. 
(c) AUTHORITY TO WAIVE PLANNING PHASE.—Sec-
tion 437(f)(3)(B)(iii) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(3)(B)(iii)) is 
amended— 
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(1) by striking all that precedes ‘‘grant award-
ed’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(iii) SUFFICIENT PLANNING.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—A’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘may not exceed $250,000, 
and’’; and 
(3) by adding after and below the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(II) 
EXCEPTION.—The 
Sec-
retary, on a case-by-case basis, may 
waive the planning phase for a part-
nership that demonstrates that the 
partnership has engaged in sufficient 
planning before submitting an appli-
cation for a grant under this sub-
section.’’. 
(d) EXPANDING AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED 
SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 437(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
629g(f)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, and expand 
the scope of the evidence-based services that may be 
approved by the clearinghouse established under sec-
tion 476(d)’’ before the period. 
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(2) 
CONSIDERATIONS
FOR
AWARDING 
GRANTS.—Section 437(f)(7) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(7)) 
is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of sub-
paragraph (D); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of 
subparagraph (E) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) have submitted information pursuant 
to paragraph (4)(F) that demonstrates the ca-
pability to participate in rigorous evaluation of 
program effectiveness.’’. 
(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON USING REGIONAL 
PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDS IN COORDINATION WITH 
OTHER FEDERAL FUNDS TO BETTER SERVE FAMILIES 
AFFECTED BY A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.—Section 
435(d) (42 U.S.C. 629e(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(4); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (5); and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) use grants under section 437(f) in coordi-
nation with other Federal funds to better serve fami-
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lies in the child welfare system that are affected by 
a substance use disorder.’’. 
(f) 
PERFORMANCE
INDICATORS.—Section 
437(f)(8)(A) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(8)(A)) is amended in the 
1st sentence— 
(1) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Protecting America’s Children by Strength-
ening Families Act’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘child permanency, reunifica-
tion, re-entry into care,’’ before ‘‘parental recovery’’; 
and 
(3) by inserting ‘‘, and access to services for 
families with substance use disorder, including those 
with children who are overrepresented in foster care, 
difficult to place, or have disproportionately low per-
manency rates’’ before the period. 
(g) PERFORMANCE INDICATOR CONSULTATION RE-
QUIRED.—Section 
437(f)(8)(B) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
629g(f)(8)(B)) is amended by redesignating clause (iii) as 
clause (iv) and inserting after clause (ii) the following: 
‘‘(iii) The Administrator of the Na-
tional Institute on Drug Abuse.’’. 
(h) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Section 437(f)(9)(B) 
(42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(9)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause (ii); 
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(2) by striking the period at the end of clause 
(iii) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) whether any programs funded by 
the grants were submitted to the clearing-
house established under section 476(d) for 
review and the results of any such re-
view.’’. 
(i) PRIORITY FOR STATEWIDE SERVICE GROWTH.— 
Section 437(f)(7) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(7)), as amended by 
subsection (d)(2) of this section, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (E); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of sub-
paragraph (F) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) are a State or public agency, or out-
line a plan to increase the availability of serv-
ices funded under the grant statewide.’’. 
(j) ADDITION OF JUVENILE COURT AS REQUIRED 
PARTNER.—Section 
437(f)(2)(A) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
629g(f)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) The most appropriate adminis-
trative office of the juvenile court or State 
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court overseeing court proceedings involv-
ing families who come to the attention of 
the court due to child abuse or neglect.’’. 
(k) ADDITIONAL
OPTIONAL
PARTNER.—Section 
437(f)(2)(C) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(2)(C)) is amended by re-
designating clause (ix) as clause (x) and inserting after 
clause (viii) the following: 
‘‘(ix) State or local agencies that ad-
minister Federal health care, housing, fam-
ily support, or other related programs.’’. 
(l) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) 
Section 
437(f)(2)(D) 
(42 
U.S.C. 
629g(f)(2)(D)) is amended— 
(A) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause 
(i); 
(B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of 
clause (ii) and inserting a period; and 
(C) by striking clause (iii). 
(2) Section 437(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)(2)) is 
amended by striking subparagraph (B) and redesig-
nating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs 
(B) and (C), respectively. 
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SEC. 6. MODERNIZATION; REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE 
BURDEN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 431 (42 U.S.C. 629a) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) USE OF TECHNOLOGY.— 
‘‘(1) USE OF PORTAL.—The services referred to 
in subsection (a) may include the means of access to 
and use of an electronic or digital portal to facilitate 
the provision of community support to care for and 
meet specific needs of families and children. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Such a portal shall not re-
tain or share personally identifiable information 
about a beneficiary without consent or for any pur-
pose other than referral.’’. 
(b) ALLOWING SUPPORT
FOR FAMILY RESOURCE 
CENTERS.—Section 431(a) (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, includ-
ing services provided by family resource centers,’’ 
before ‘‘designed’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘family re-
source center’ means a community or school- 
based hub of support services for families 
that— 
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‘‘(i) utilizes an approach that is multi- 
generational, strengths-based, and family- 
centered; 
‘‘(ii) reflects, and is responsive to, 
community needs and interests; 
‘‘(iii) provides support at no or low 
cost for participants; and 
‘‘(iv) builds communities of peer sup-
port for families, including kinship fami-
lies, to develop social connections that re-
duce isolation and stress. 
‘‘(B) SPECIAL
RULE.—For purposes of 
this subpart, an expenditure for a service pro-
vided by a family resource center may be treat-
ed as an expenditure for any 1 or more of fam-
ily support services, family preservation serv-
ices, family reunification services, or adoption 
promotion and support services as long as the 
expenditure is related to serving the children 
and families in the specified category and con-
sistent with the overall purpose of the cat-
egory.’’. 
(c) UPDATING STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Sec-
tion 422(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(1)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
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‘‘(1) provide that a State agency will administer 
or supervise the administration of the plan under 
this subpart;’’. 
(d) ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION.—Section 
422(b)(4) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(4)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (A); 
(2) by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (B); and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) the steps that the State will take to 
ensure that, with respect to any judicial pro-
ceeding involving a child and in which there is 
an allegation of child abuse or neglect, includ-
ing a proceeding on dependency, adoption, 
guardianship, or termination of parental rights, 
information about available independent legal 
representation is provided to— 
‘‘(i) the child, as appropriate; and 
‘‘(ii) any individual who is a parent or 
guardian, or has legal custody, of the 
child.’’. 
(e) SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH
AND WELL- 
BEING
OF
CHILDREN
IN
FOSTER
CARE.—Section 
422(b)(15)(A) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(15) is amended— 
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(1) in the matter preceding clause (i)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and, if applicable, the 
State agency responsible for mental health serv-
ices,’’ before ‘‘and in consultation’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘mental health pro-
viders,’’ before ‘‘other experts’’; 
(2) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘a list of services 
provided to support the physical and’’ before ‘‘emo-
tional’’; 
(3) in clause (iv), by inserting ‘‘and mental 
health’’ before ‘‘services’’; 
(4) in clause (v), by inserting ‘‘, informed con-
sent of youth, and compliance with professional 
practice guidelines’’ before the semicolon; and 
(5) in clause (vi), by inserting ‘‘, licensed men-
tal health providers,’’ before ‘‘or other’’. 
(f) REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subpart 3 of part B of title 
IV (42 U.S.C. 629m) is amended by redesignating 
section 440 as section 443 and inserting before such 
section the following: 
‘‘SEC. 441. REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall reduce the 
burden of administering this part imposed on the recipi-
ents of funds under this part, by— 
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‘‘(1) reviewing and revising administrative data 
collection instruments and forms to eliminate dupli-
cation and streamline reporting requirements for the 
recipients while collecting all data required under 
this part; 
‘‘(2) in coordination with activities required 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act, conducting an 
analysis of the total number of hours reported by 
the recipients to comply with paperwork require-
ments and exploring, in consultation with the recipi-
ents, how to reduce the number of hours required 
for the compliance by at least 15 percent; 
‘‘(3) collecting input from the recipients with 
respect to fiscal and oversight requirements and 
making changes to ensure consistency with stand-
ards and guidelines for other Federal formula grant 
programs based on the input; and 
‘‘(4) respecting the sovereignty of Indian tribes 
when complying with this subsection. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION
ON APPLICABILITY.—Subsection 
(a) of this section shall not apply to any reporting or data 
collection otherwise required by law that would affect the 
ability of the Secretary to monitor and ensure compliance 
with State plans approved under this part or ensure that 
funds are expended consistent with this part. 
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‘‘SEC. 442. PUBLIC ACCESS TO STATE PLANS. 
‘‘The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) create a standardized format for State 
plans required under sections 422 and 432 used to 
monitor compliance with those sections; 
‘‘(2) produce comparisons and analyses of 
trends in State plans to inform future technical as-
sistance and policy development; 
‘‘(3) make the State plans available on a public 
website; and 
‘‘(4) include on the website aggregated national 
summaries of State submissions as the Secretary 
deems appropriate.’’. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Within 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services shall— 
(A) comply with section 441 of the Social 
Security Act, as added by the amendment made 
by paragraph (1); and 
(B) notify each recipient of funds under 
part B of title IV of the Social Security Act of 
any change made by the Secretary pursuant to 
such section affecting the recipient. 
(3) REPORT.—Within 3 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services shall submit to the Committee 
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on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a re-
port describing the efforts of the Secretary to com-
ply with section 441 of the Social Security Act, as 
added by the amendment made by paragraph (1), in-
cluding the specific actions to comply with each 
paragraph of such section. 
(g) PRIMARY
PREVENTION
PARTNERS.—Section 
435(a)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 429e(a)(2)(B)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘including community-based partners with exper-
tise in preventing unnecessary child welfare system in-
volvement’’ before the semicolon. 
SEC. 7. STREAMLINING FUNDING FOR INDIAN TRIBES. 
(a) SUBPART 1.— 
(1) TRIBAL SET-ASIDE; DIRECT PAYMENTS TO 
TRIBES; EXEMPTIVE AUTHORITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 428 (42 U.S.C. 
628) is amended by striking subsections (a) and 
(b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) RESERVATION
OF
FUNDS; DIRECT
PAY-
MENTS.—Out of any amount appropriated pursuant to 
section 425 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 
3 percent for grants to Indian tribes and tribal organiza-
tions, which shall be paid directly to Indian tribes and 
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tribal organizations with a plan approved under this sub-
part, in accordance with section 433(a).’’. 
(B) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
423(a) (42 U.S.C. 623(a)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘the sum appropriated pursuant to section 
425 for each fiscal year’’ and inserting ‘‘for 
each fiscal year, the sum appropriated pursuant 
to section 425 remaining after applying section 
428(a)’’. 
(C) 
TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT.—Section 
428(c) (42 U.S.C. 628(c)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘450b’’ and inserting ‘‘5304’’. 
(2) IMPROVING COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDIAN 
CHILD WELFARE ACT.— 
(A) STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT.—Section 
422(b)(9) (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(9)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Act;’’ and inserting ‘‘Act of 1978, in-
cluding how the State will ensure timely notice 
to tribal organizations of State custody pro-
ceedings involving Indian children, foster care 
or adoptive placements of Indian children, and 
case recordkeeping as such matters relate to 
transfers of jurisdiction, termination of parental 
rights, and active efforts;’’. 
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(B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Subpart 1 
of part B of title IV (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 October 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 on 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 involving an Indian child. 
‘‘(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, 
and reasons specified for denial in cases where 
transfer was denied. 
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‘‘(4) In cases in which a State court orders a 
foster care placement of an Indian child, whether re-
quirements for active 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 to an Indian child, 
whether requirements for active efforts to prevent 
the breakup of the Indian 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. 
‘‘(c) BIENNIAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary shall biennially submit to the Committee on Ways 
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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 by data collected under 
section 429B 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.’’. 
(3) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; ADMINISTRA-
TIVE COSTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 428 (42 U.S.C. 
628) is amended by redesignating subsection (c) 
as subsection (d) and inserting before such sub-
section the following: 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY TO STREAMLINE REPORTING RE-
QUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall, in consultation with 
the affected Indian tribes, modify any reporting require-
ment imposed by or under this part on an Indian tribe, 
tribal organization, or tribal consortium if the total of the 
amounts allotted to the Indian tribe, tribal organization, 
or tribal consortium under this part for the fiscal year is 
not more than $50,000, and in a manner that limits the 
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‘‘(A) BY
GRANT
RECIPIENTS.—Within 1 
year after receiving a grant under this sub-
section, and every year thereafter for the next 
5 years, the grant recipient shall submit to the 
Secretary a written report on— 
‘‘(i) the use of grant funds; 
‘‘(ii) whether the program or service 
evaluated by the project meets a require-
ment specified in section 471(e)(4)(C), in-
cluding information about— 
‘‘(I) how the program or service 
is being carried out in accordance 
with standards specified in the re-
quirement; 
‘‘(II) any outcomes of the pro-
gram or service; and 
‘‘(III) any outcome with respect 
to which the service or program com-
pares favorably to a comparison prac-
tice; and 
‘‘(iii) whether the Secretary has in-
cluded the program or service in an update 
to the clearinghouse of practices described 
in section 476(d)(2). 
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‘‘(B) BY THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Ways and 
Means of the House of Representatives and to 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate an an-
nual written report on— 
‘‘(i) the grants awarded under this 
subsection; 
‘‘(ii) the programs funded by the 
grants; 
‘‘(iii) any technical assistance pro-
vided by the Secretary in carrying out this 
subsection, including with respect to the 
efforts to secure external evaluators pursu-
ant to paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(iv) any efforts by the Secretary to 
support program evaluation and review 
pursuant to section 471(e) and inclusion of 
programs in the pre-approved list of serv-
ices and programs described in section 
471(e)(4)(D) or the clearinghouse of prac-
tices described in section 476(d)(2). 
‘‘(7) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) LIMITATIONS.—Of the amounts avail-
able to carry out this subsection, the Secretary 
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