I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2124
To establish a Foster Care Reform Commission to study the foster care 
crisis in the United States. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 15, 2003
Mr. CARDOZA introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Edu-
cation and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a Foster Care Reform Commission to study 
the foster care crisis in the United States.
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 ‘‘Foster Care Reform 
Commission Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘Foster Care Reform Commission’’ (in this Act referred 
to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 
The Commission shall study the ongoing foster care 
crisis in the United States as well as individual efforts un-
dertaken by States, localities, and through privately ad-
ministered foster care programs. In reviewing the efforts 
of localities, States and private foster care programs, the 
Commission shall determine a list of best practices that 
would help advance safe and reliable foster care in the 
United States. 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act: 
(1) CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS.—4 Commission 
members shall be appointed as follows: 
(A) 1 Senator appointed by the Majority 
Leader of the Senate. 
(B) 1 Senator appointed by the Minority 
Leader of the Senate. 
(C) 1 Representative appointed by the 
Speaker of the House. 
(D) 1 Representative appointed by the Mi-
nority Leader of the House of Representatives. 
(2) OTHER
MEMBERS.—The 4 Commission 
members appointed under paragraph (1) shall meet 
and select from among themselves a chairman, who
shall preside over a meeting to appoint 11 additional 
Commission members—
(A) 5 of whom shall be experts on child 
care and foster care issues from the private sec-
tor; 
(B) 1 of whom shall be an expert on child 
care and foster care issues from the public sec-
tor; and 
(C) 5 of whom shall be experts on child 
care and foster care issues from academia. 
(b) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—Not more than 8 
Commission members appointed may be of the same polit-
ical party. 
(c) TERMS.—
(1) LIFE OF COMMISSION.—Each Commission 
member shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission. 
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(d) NO PAY.—Commission members shall not receive 
compensation by reason of service on the Commission. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each Commission member 
shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(f) QUORUM.—8 members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings. 
(g) CHAIRPERSON; CO-CHAIRPERSON.—The Com-
mission shall have a Chairperson and a co-Chairperson, 
only 1 of whom shall be a Member of Congress. 
(h) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairperson and co-Chairperson, or of a major-
ity of its members. 
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION; EXPERTS 
AND CONSULTANTS. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a Direc-
tor who shall be appointed by the Chairperson and co-
Chairperson of the Commission, with the approval of the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services. To the extent 
or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation 
Acts, the Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed 
the rate of basic pay for Level V of the Executive Sched-
ule.
(b) STAFF.—With the approval of the Chairperson 
and the co-Chairperson of the Commission, the Director 
may appoint additional personnel as the Chairperson and 
co-Chairperson consider appropriate.
(c) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.—The Director and staff of the Commission shall 
be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United 
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions 
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that 
title relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
rates. 
(d) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request 
of the Chairperson and co-Chairperson, the head of any 
Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimburs-
able basis, any of the personnel of that department or 
agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its 
duties under this Act. 
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and 
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
Commission, take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may request any department or agency of the United
States to furnish the Commission with such information 
as the Commission deems necessary to enable the Commis-
sion to carry out this Act. 
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
SEC. 7. REPORT. 
Not later than 2 years after all original Commission 
members are appointed, the Commission shall transmit to 
the President, the Congress, and the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services a report that contains a detailed 
statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commis-
sion regarding reform of the foster care system, together 
with its recommendations for such legislation and admin-
istrative action as the Commission deems appropriate.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate on the date the re-
port required by section 7 is so transmitted.
Æ