Title: Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017
Policy area: Families

Summary:
Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017
This bill amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct) regarding, among other matters: (1) mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services and in-home parenting skill-based programs, (2) foster care maintenance payments for children with parents in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse, and (3) payments for evidence-based kinship navigator programs.
Part B of title IV (Child and Family Services) of the SSAct is amended regarding, among other matters: (1) time limits for family reunification services for children in foster care or returning home, (2) grants for the development of an electronic interstate case-processing system to expedite the interstate placement of children in foster care or guardianship or for adoption, and (3) targeted grants to increase the well-being of children affected by substance abuse.
The bill appropriates certain funding to Department of Health and Human Services for FY2018 for competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, or tribal consortia to support the recruitment and retention of high-quality foster families.
The bill amends part B of title IV of the SSAct to reauthorize through FY2021: (1) the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program, (2) promotion of safe and stable families program, (3) funding reservations for monthly caseworker visits and regional partnership grants, and (4) funding for state courts.
Part E of title IV of the SSAct is amended to: (1) revise the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Independence Program and related provisions, and (2) reauthorize adoption and legal guardianship incentive programs through FY2021.
The Government Accountability Office shall study the extent to which states comply with certain SSAct requirements relating to the effects of phasing out the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program income eligibility requirements for adoption assistance payments.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 253 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 253

To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to invest 
 in funding prevention and family services to help keep children safe 
   and supported at home, to ensure that children in foster care are 
  placed in the least restrictive, most family-like, and appropriate 
                   settings, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 4, 2017

Mr. Buchanan (for himself and Mr. Levin) introduced the following bill; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to invest 
 in funding prevention and family services to help keep children safe 
   and supported at home, to ensure that children in foster care are 
  placed in the least restrictive, most family-like, and appropriate 
                   settings, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Family First Prevention Services Act 
of 2017''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
          TITLE I--INVESTING IN PREVENTION AND FAMILY SERVICES

Sec. 101. Purpose.
           Subtitle A--Prevention Activities Under Title IV-E

Sec. 111. Foster care prevention services and programs.
Sec. 112. Foster care maintenance payments for children with parents in 
                            a licensed residential family-based 
                            treatment facility for substance abuse.
Sec. 113. Title IV-E payments for evidence-based kinship navigator 
                            programs.
             Subtitle B--Enhanced Support Under Title IV-B

Sec. 121. Elimination of time limit for family reunification services 
                            while in foster care and permitting time-
                            limited family reunification services when 
                            a child returns home from foster care.
Sec. 122. Reducing bureaucracy and unnecessary delays when placing 
                            children in homes across State lines.
Sec. 123. Enhancements to grants to improve well-being of families 
                            affected by substance abuse.
                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

Sec. 131. Reviewing and improving licensing standards for placement in 
                            a relative foster family home.
Sec. 132. Development of a statewide plan to prevent child abuse and 
                            neglect fatalities.
Sec. 133. Modernizing the title and purpose of title IV-E.
Sec. 134. Effective dates.
TITLE II--ENSURING THE NECESSITY OF A PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN A FOSTER 
                              FAMILY HOME

Sec. 201. Limitation on Federal financial participation for placements 
                            that are not in foster family homes.
Sec. 202. Assessment and documentation of the need for placement in a 
                            qualified residential treatment program.
Sec. 203. Protocols to prevent inappropriate diagnoses.
Sec. 204. Additional data and reports regarding children placed in a 
                            setting that is not a foster family home.
Sec. 205. Effective dates; application to waivers.
      TITLE III--CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES

Sec. 301. Supporting and retaining foster families for children.
Sec. 302. Extension of child and family services programs.
Sec. 303. Improvements to the John H. Chafee foster care independence 
                            program and related provisions.
TITLE IV--CONTINUING INCENTIVES TO STATES TO PROMOTE ADOPTION AND LEGAL 
                              GUARDIANSHIP

Sec. 401. Reauthorizing adoption and legal guardianship incentive 
                            programs.
                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

Sec. 501. Technical corrections to data exchange standards to improve 
                            program coordination.
Sec. 502. Technical corrections to State requirement to address the 
                            developmental needs of young children.
 TITLE VI--ENSURING STATES REINVEST SAVINGS RESULTING FROM INCREASE IN 
                          ADOPTION ASSISTANCE

Sec. 601. Delay of adoption assistance phase-in.
Sec. 602. GAO study and report on State reinvestment of savings 
                            resulting from increase in adoption 
                            assistance.

          TITLE I--INVESTING IN PREVENTION AND FAMILY SERVICES

SEC. 101. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this title is to enable States to use Federal funds 
available under parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to 
provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster 
care placements through the provision of mental health and substance 
abuse prevention and treatment services, in-home parent skill-based 
programs, and kinship navigator services.

           Subtitle A--Prevention Activities Under Title IV-E

SEC. 111. FOSTER CARE PREVENTION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.

    (a) State Option.--Section 471 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 671) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``and'' and all that 
        follows through the semicolon and inserting ``, adoption 
        assistance in accordance with section 473, and, at the option 
        of the State, services or programs specified in subsection 
        (e)(1) of this section for children who are candidates for 
        foster care or who are pregnant or parenting foster youth and 
        the parents or kin caregivers of the children, in accordance 
        with the requirements of that subsection;''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Prevention and Family Services and Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the succeeding provisions of 
        this subsection, the Secretary may make a payment to a State 
        for providing the following services or programs for a child 
        described in paragraph (2) and the parents or kin caregivers of 
        the child when the need of the child, such a parent, or such a 
        caregiver for the services or programs are directly related to 
        the safety, permanence, or well-being of the child or to 
        preventing the child from entering foster care:
                    ``(A) Mental health and substance abuse prevention 
                and treatment services.--Mental health and substance 
                abuse prevention and treatment services provided by a 
                qualified clinician for not more than a 12-month period 
                that begins on any date described in paragraph (3) with 
                respect to the child.
                    ``(B) In-home parent skill-based programs.--In-home 
                parent skill-based programs for not more than a 12-
                month period that begins on any date described in 
                paragraph (3) with respect to the child and that 
                include parenting skills training, parent education, 
                and individual and family counseling.
            ``(2) Child described.--For purposes of paragraph (1), a 
        child described in this paragraph is the following:
                    ``(A) A child who is a candidate for foster care 
                (as defined in section 475(13)) but can remain safely 
                at home or in a kinship placement with receipt of 
                services or programs specified in paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) A child in foster care who is a pregnant or 
                parenting foster youth.
            ``(3) Date described.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the 
        dates described in this paragraph are the following:
                    ``(A) The date on which a child is identified in a 
                prevention plan maintained under paragraph (4) as a 
                child who is a candidate for foster care (as defined in 
                section 475(13)).
                    ``(B) The date on which a child is identified in a 
                prevention plan maintained under paragraph (4) as a 
                pregnant or parenting foster youth in need of services 
                or programs specified in paragraph (1).
            ``(4) Requirements related to providing services and 
        programs.--Services and programs specified in paragraph (1) may 
        be provided under this subsection only if specified in advance 
        in the child's prevention plan described in subparagraph (A) 
        and the requirements in subparagraphs (B) through (E) are met:
                    ``(A) Prevention plan.--The State maintains a 
                written prevention plan for the child that meets the 
                following requirements (as applicable):
                            ``(i) Candidates.--In the case of a child 
                        who is a candidate for foster care described in 
                        paragraph (2)(A), the prevention plan shall--
                                    ``(I) identify the foster care 
                                prevention strategy for the child so 
                                that the child may remain safely at 
                                home, live temporarily with a kin 
                                caregiver until reunification can be 
                                safely achieved, or live permanently 
                                with a kin caregiver;
                                    ``(II) list the services or 
                                programs to be provided to or on behalf 
                                of the child to ensure the success of 
                                that prevention strategy; and
                                    ``(III) comply with such other 
                                requirements as the Secretary shall 
                                establish.
                            ``(ii) Pregnant or parenting foster 
                        youth.--In the case of a child who is a 
                        pregnant or parenting foster youth described in 
                        paragraph (2)(B), the prevention plan shall--
                                    ``(I) be included in the child's 
                                case plan required under section 
                                475(1);
                                    ``(II) list the services or 
                                programs to be provided to or on behalf 
                                of the youth to ensure that the youth 
                                is prepared (in the case of a pregnant 
                                foster youth) or able (in the case of a 
                                parenting foster youth) to be a parent;
                                    ``(III) describe the foster care 
                                prevention strategy for any child born 
                                to the youth; and
                                    ``(IV) comply with such other 
                                requirements as the Secretary shall 
                                establish.
                    ``(B) Trauma-informed.--The services or programs to 
                be provided to or on behalf of a child are provided 
                under an organizational structure and treatment 
                framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and 
                responding to the effects of all types of trauma and in 
                accordance with recognized principles of a trauma-
                informed approach and trauma-specific interventions to 
                address trauma's consequences and facilitate healing.
                    ``(C) Only services and programs provided in 
                accordance with promising, supported, or well-supported 
                practices permitted.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Only State expenditures 
                        for services or programs specified in 
                        subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) that 
                        are provided in accordance with practices that 
                        meet the requirements specified in clause (ii) 
                        of this subparagraph and that meet the 
                        requirements specified in clause (iii), (iv), 
                        or (v), respectively, for being a promising, 
                        supported, or well-supported practice, shall be 
                        eligible for a Federal matching payment under 
                        section 474(a)(6)(A).
                            ``(ii) General practice requirements.--The 
                        general practice requirements specified in this 
                        clause are the following:
                                    ``(I) The practice has a book, 
                                manual, or other available writings 
                                that specify the components of the 
                                practice protocol and describe how to 
                                administer the practice.
                                    ``(II) There is no empirical basis 
                                suggesting that, compared to its likely 
                                benefits, the practice constitutes a 
                                risk of harm to those receiving it.
                                    ``(III) If multiple outcome studies 
                                have been conducted, the overall weight 
                                of evidence supports the benefits of 
                                the practice.
                                    ``(IV) Outcome measures are 
                                reliable and valid, and are 
                                administrated consistently and 
                                accurately across all those receiving 
                                the practice.
                                    ``(V) There is no case data 
                                suggesting a risk of harm that was 
                                probably caused by the treatment and 
                                that was severe or frequent.
                            ``(iii) Promising practice.--A practice 
                        shall be considered to be a `promising 
                        practice' if the practice is superior to an 
                        appropriate comparison practice using 
                        conventional standards of statistical 
                        significance (in terms of demonstrated 
                        meaningful improvements in validated measures 
                        of important child and parent outcomes, such as 
                        mental health, substance abuse, and child 
                        safety and well-being), as established by the 
                        results or outcomes of at least one study 
                        that--
                                    ``(I) was rated by an independent 
                                systematic review for the quality of 
                                the study design and execution and 
                                determined to be well-designed and 
                                well-executed; and
                                    ``(II) utilized some form of 
                                control (such as an untreated group, a 
                                placebo group, or a wait list study).
                            ``(iv) Supported practice.--A practice 
                        shall be considered to be a `supported 
                        practice' if--
                                    ``(I) the practice is superior to 
                                an appropriate comparison practice 
                                using conventional standards of 
                                statistical significance (in terms of 
                                demonstrated meaningful improvements in 
                                validated measures of important child 
                                and parent outcomes, such as mental 
                                health, substance abuse, and child 
                                safety and well-being), as established 
                                by the results or outcomes of at least 
                                one study that--
                                            ``(aa) was rated by an 
                                        independent systematic review 
                                        for the quality of the study 
                                        design and execution and 
                                        determined to be well-designed 
                                        and well-executed;
                                            ``(bb) was a rigorous 
                                        random-controlled trial (or, if 
                                        not available, a study using a 
                                        rigorous quasi-experimental 
                                        research design); and
                                            ``(cc) was carried out in a 
                                        usual care or practice setting; 
                                        and
                                    ``(II) the study described in 
                                subclause (I) established that the 
                                practice has a sustained effect (when 
                                compared to a control group) for at 
                                least 6 months beyond the end of the 
                                treatment.
                            ``(v) Well-supported practice.--A practice 
                        shall be considered to be a `well-supported 
                        practice' if--
                                    ``(I) the practice is superior to 
                                an appropriate comparison practice 
                                using conventional standards of 
                                statistical significance (in terms of 
                                demonstrated meaningful improvements in 
                                validated measures of important child 
                                and parent outcomes, such as mental 
                                health, substance abuse, and child 
                                safety and well-being), as established 
                                by the results or outcomes of at least 
                                two studies that--
                                            ``(aa) were rated by an 
                                        independent systematic review 
                                        for the quality of the study 
                                        design and execution and 
                                        determined to be well-designed 
                                        and well-executed;
                                            ``(bb) were rigorous 
                                        random-controlled trials (or, 
                                        if not available, studies using 
                                        a rigorous quasi-experimental 
                                        research design); and
                                            ``(cc) were carried out in 
                                        a usual care or practice 
                                        setting; and
                                    ``(II) at least one of the studies 
                                described in subclause (I) established 
                                that the practice has a sustained 
                                effect (when compared to a control 
                                group) for at least 1 year beyond the 
                                end of treatment.
                    ``(D) Guidance on practices criteria and pre-
                approved services and programs.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than October 
                        1, 2018, the Secretary shall issue guidance to 
                        States regarding the practices criteria 
                        required for services or programs to satisfy 
                        the requirements of subparagraph (C). The 
                        guidance shall include a pre-approved list of 
                        services and programs that satisfy the 
                        requirements.
                            ``(ii) Updates.--The Secretary shall issue 
                        updates to the guidance required by clause (i) 
                        as often as the Secretary determines necessary.
                    ``(E) Outcome assessment and reporting.--The State 
                shall collect and report to the Secretary the following 
                information with respect to each child for whom, or on 
                whose behalf mental health and substance abuse 
                prevention and treatment services or in-home parent 
                skill-based programs are provided during a 12-month 
                period beginning on the date the child is determined by 
                the State to be a child described in paragraph (2):
                            ``(i) The specific services or programs 
                        provided and the total expenditures for each of 
                        the services or programs.
                            ``(ii) The duration of the services or 
                        programs provided.
                            ``(iii) In the case of a child described in 
                        paragraph (2)(A), the child's placement status 
                        at the beginning, and at the end, of the 1-year 
                        period, respectively, and whether the child 
                        entered foster care within 2 years after being 
                        determined a candidate for foster care.
            ``(5) State plan component.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State electing to provide 
                services or programs specified in paragraph (1) shall 
                submit as part of the State plan required by subsection 
                (a) a prevention services and programs plan component 
                that meets the requirements of subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Prevention services and programs plan 
                component.--In order to meet the requirements of this 
                subparagraph, a prevention services and programs plan 
                component, with respect to each 5-year period for which 
                the plan component is in operation in the State, shall 
                include the following:
                            ``(i) How providing services and programs 
                        specified in paragraph (1) is expected to 
                        improve specific outcomes for children and 
                        families.
                            ``(ii) How the State will monitor and 
                        oversee the safety of children who receive 
                        services and programs specified in paragraph 
                        (1), including through periodic risk 
                        assessments throughout the period in which the 
                        services and programs are provided on behalf of 
                        a child and reexamination of the prevention 
                        plan maintained for the child under paragraph 
                        (4) for the provision of the services or 
                        programs if the State determines the risk of 
                        the child entering foster care remains high 
                        despite the provision of the services or 
                        programs.
                            ``(iii) With respect to the services and 
                        programs specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
                        of paragraph (1), information on the specific 
                        promising, supported, or well-supported 
                        practices the State plans to use to provide the 
                        services or programs, including a description 
                        of--
                                    ``(I) the services or programs and 
                                whether the practices used are 
                                promising, supported, or well-
                                supported;
                                    ``(II) how the State plans to 
                                implement the services or programs, 
                                including how implementation of the 
                                services or programs will be 
                                continuously monitored to ensure 
                                fidelity to the practice model and to 
                                determine outcomes achieved and how 
                                information learned from the monitoring 
                                will be used to refine and improve 
                                practices;
                                    ``(III) how the State selected the 
                                services or programs;
                                    ``(IV) the target population for 
                                the services or programs; and
                                    ``(V) how each service or program 
                                provided will be evaluated through a 
                                well-designed and rigorous process, 
                                which may consist of an ongoing, cross-
                                site evaluation approved by the 
                                Secretary.
                            ``(iv) A description of the consultation 
                        that the State agencies responsible for 
                        administering the State plans under this part 
                        and part B engage in with other State agencies 
                        responsible for administering health programs, 
                        including mental health and substance abuse 
                        prevention and treatment services, and with 
                        other public and private agencies with 
                        experience in administering child and family 
                        services, including community-based 
                        organizations, in order to foster a continuum 
                        of care for children described in paragraph (2) 
                        and their parents or kin caregivers.
                            ``(v) A description of how the State shall 
                        assess children and their parents or kin 
                        caregivers to determine eligibility for 
                        services or programs specified in paragraph 
                        (1).
                            ``(vi) A description of how the services or 
                        programs specified in paragraph (1) that are 
                        provided for or on behalf of a child and the 
                        parents or kin caregivers of the child will be 
                        coordinated with other child and family 
                        services provided to the child and the parents 
                        or kin caregivers of the child under the State 
                        plan under part B.
                            ``(vii) Descriptions of steps the State is 
                        taking to support and enhance a competent, 
                        skilled, and professional child welfare 
                        workforce to deliver trauma-informed and 
                        evidence-based services, including--
                                    ``(I) ensuring that staff is 
                                qualified to provide services or 
                                programs that are consistent with the 
                                promising, supported, or well-supported 
                                practice models selected; and
                                    ``(II) developing appropriate 
                                prevention plans, and conducting the 
                                risk assessments required under clause 
                                (iii).
                            ``(viii) A description of how the State 
                        will provide training and support for 
                        caseworkers in assessing what children and 
                        their families need, connecting to the families 
                        served, knowing how to access and deliver the 
                        needed trauma-informed and evidence-based 
                        services, and overseeing and evaluating the 
                        continuing appropriateness of the services.
                            ``(ix) A description of how caseload size 
                        and type for prevention caseworkers will be 
                        determined, managed, and overseen.
                            ``(x) An assurance that the State will 
                        report to the Secretary such information and 
                        data as the Secretary may require with respect 
                        to the provision of services and programs 
                        specified in paragraph (1), including 
                        information and data necessary to determine the 
                        performance measures for the State under 
                        paragraph (6) and compliance with paragraph 
                        (7).
                    ``(C) Reimbursement for services under the 
                prevention plan component.--
                            ``(i) Limitation.--Except as provided in 
                        subclause (ii), a State may not receive a 
                        Federal payment under this part for a given 
                        promising, supported, or well-supported 
                        practice unless (in accordance with 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii)(V)) the plan includes a 
                        well-designed and rigorous evaluation strategy 
                        for that practice.
                            ``(ii) Waiver of limitation.--The Secretary 
                        may waive the requirement for a well-designed 
                        and rigorous evaluation of any well-supported 
                        practice if the Secretary deems the evidence of 
                        the effectiveness of the practice to be 
                        compelling and the State meets the continuous 
                        quality improvement requirements included in 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii)(II) with regard to the 
                        practice.
            ``(6) Prevention services measures.--
                    ``(A) Establishment; annual updates.--Beginning 
                with fiscal year 2021, and annually thereafter, the 
                Secretary shall establish the following prevention 
                services measures based on information and data 
                reported by States that elect to provide services and 
                programs specified in paragraph (1):
                            ``(i) Percentage of candidates for foster 
                        care who do not enter foster care.--The 
                        percentage of candidates for foster care for 
                        whom, or on whose behalf, the services or 
                        programs are provided who do not enter foster 
                        care, including those placed with a kin 
                        caregiver outside of foster care, during the 
                        12-month period in which the services or 
                        programs are provided and through the end of 
                        the succeeding 12-month period.
                            ``(ii) Per-child spending.--The total 
                        amount of expenditures made for mental health 
                        and substance abuse prevention and treatment 
                        services or in-home parent skill-based 
                        programs, respectively, for, or on behalf of, 
                        each child described in paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Data.--The Secretary shall establish and 
                annually update the prevention services measures--
                            ``(i) based on the median State values of 
                        the information reported under each clause of 
                        subparagraph (A) for the 3 then most recent 
                        years; and
                            ``(ii) taking into account State 
                        differences in the price levels of consumption 
                        goods and services using the most recent 
                        regional price parities published by the Bureau 
                        of Economic Analysis of the Department of 
                        Commerce or such other data as the Secretary 
                        determines appropriate.
                    ``(C) Publication of state prevention services 
                measures.--The Secretary shall annually make available 
                to the public the prevention services measures of each 
                State.
            ``(7) Maintenance of effort for state foster care 
        prevention expenditures.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If a State elects to provide 
                services and programs specified in paragraph (1) for a 
                fiscal year, the State foster care prevention 
                expenditures for the fiscal year shall not be less than 
                the amount of the expenditures for fiscal year 2014.
                    ``(B) State foster care prevention expenditures.--
                The term `State foster care prevention expenditures' 
                means the following:
                            ``(i) TANF; iv-b; ssbg.--State expenditures 
                        for foster care prevention services and 
                        activities under the State program funded under 
                        part A (including from amounts made available 
                        by the Federal Government), under the State 
                        plan developed under part B (including any such 
                        amounts), or under the Social Services Block 
                        Grant Programs under subtitle A of title XX 
                        (including any such amounts).
                            ``(ii) Other state programs.--State 
                        expenditures for foster care prevention 
                        services and activities under any State program 
                        that is not described in clause (i) (other than 
                        any State expenditures for foster care 
                        prevention services and activities under the 
                        State program under this part (including under 
                        a waiver of the program)).
                    ``(C) State expenditures.--The term `State 
                expenditures' means all State or local funds that are 
                expended by the State or a local agency including State 
                or local funds that are matched or reimbursed by the 
                Federal Government and State or local funds that are 
                not matched or reimbursed by the Federal Government.
                    ``(D) Determination of prevention services and 
                activities.--The Secretary shall require each State 
                that elects to provide services and programs specified 
                in paragraph (1) to report the expenditures specified 
                in subparagraph (B) for fiscal year 2014 and for such 
                fiscal years thereafter as are necessary to determine 
                whether the State is complying with the maintenance of 
                effort requirement in subparagraph (A). The Secretary 
                shall specify the specific services and activities 
                under each program referred to in subparagraph (B) that 
                are `prevention services and activities' for purposes 
                of the reports.
            ``(8) Prohibition against use of state foster care 
        prevention expenditures and federal iv-e prevention funds for 
        matching or expenditure requirement.--A State that elects to 
        provide services and programs specified in paragraph (1) shall 
        not use any State foster care prevention expenditures for a 
        fiscal year for the State share of expenditures under section 
        474(a)(6) for a fiscal year.
            ``(9) Administrative costs.--Expenditures described in 
        section 474(a)(6)(B)--
                    ``(A) shall not be eligible for payment under 
                subparagraph (A), (B), or (E) of section 474(a)(3); and
                    ``(B) shall be eligible for payment under section 
                474(a)(6)(B) without regard to whether the expenditures 
                are incurred on behalf of a child who is, or is 
                potentially, eligible for foster care maintenance 
                payments under this part.
            ``(10) Application.--The provision of services or programs 
        under this subsection to or on behalf of a child described in 
        paragraph (2) shall not be considered to be receipt of aid or 
        assistance under the State plan under this part for purposes of 
        eligibility for any other program established under this 
        Act.''.
    (b) Definition.--Section 475 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) The term `child who is a candidate for foster care' 
        means, a child who is identified in a prevention plan under 
        section 471(e)(4)(A) as being at imminent risk of entering 
        foster care (without regard to whether the child would be 
        eligible for foster care maintenance payments under section 472 
        or is or would be eligible for adoption assistance or kinship 
        guardianship assistance payments under section 473) but who can 
        remain safely in the child's home or in a kinship placement as 
        long as services or programs specified in section 471(e)(1) 
        that are necessary to prevent the entry of the child into 
        foster care are provided. The term includes a child whose 
        adoption or guardianship arrangement is at risk of a disruption 
        or dissolution that would result in a foster care placement.''.
    (c) Payments Under Title IV-E.--Section 474(a) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 674(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; plus''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) subject to section 471(e)--
                    ``(A) for each quarter--
                            ``(i) subject to clause (ii)--
                                    ``(I) beginning after September 30, 
                                2019, and before October 1, 2025, an 
                                amount equal to 50 percent of the total 
                                amount expended during the quarter for 
                                the provision of services or programs 
                                specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
                                section 471(e)(1) that are provided in 
                                accordance with promising, supported, 
                                or well-supported practices that meet 
                                the applicable criteria specified for 
                                the practices in section 471(e)(4)(C); 
                                and
                                    ``(II) beginning after September 
                                30, 2025, an amount equal to the 
                                Federal medical assistance percentage 
                                (which shall be as defined in section 
                                1905(b), in the case of a State other 
                                than the District of Columbia, or 70 
                                percent, in the case of the District of 
                                Columbia) of the total amount expended 
                                during the quarter for the provision of 
                                services or programs specified in 
                                subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 
                                471(e)(1) that are provided in 
                                accordance with promising, supported, 
                                or well-supported practices that meet 
                                the applicable criteria specified for 
                                the practices in section 471(e)(4)(C) 
                                (or, with respect to the payments made 
                                during the quarter under a cooperative 
                                agreement or contract entered into by 
                                the State and an Indian tribe, tribal 
                                organization, or tribal consortium for 
                                the administration or payment of funds 
                                under this part, an amount equal to the 
                                Federal medical assistance percentage 
                                that would apply under section 479B(d) 
                                (in this paragraph referred to as the 
                                `tribal FMAP') if the Indian tribe, 
                                tribal organization, or tribal 
                                consortium made the payments under a 
                                program operated under that section, 
                                unless the tribal FMAP is less than the 
                                Federal medical assistance percentage 
                                that applies to the State); except that
                            ``(ii) not less than 50 percent of the 
                        total amount payable to a State under clause 
                        (i) for a fiscal year shall be for the 
                        provision of services or programs specified in 
                        subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 471(e)(1) 
                        that are provided in accordance with well-
                        supported practices; plus
                    ``(B) for each quarter specified in subparagraph 
                (A), an amount equal to the sum of the following 
                proportions of the total amount expended during the 
                quarter:
                            ``(i) 50 percent of so much of the 
                        expenditures as are found necessary by the 
                        Secretary for the proper and efficient 
                        administration of the State plan for the 
                        provision of services or programs specified in 
                        section 471(e)(1), including expenditures for 
                        activities approved by the Secretary that 
                        promote the development of necessary processes 
                        and procedures to establish and implement the 
                        provision of the services and programs for 
                        individuals who are eligible for the services 
                        and programs and expenditures attributable to 
                        data collection and reporting; and
                            ``(ii) 50 percent of so much of the 
                        expenditures with respect to the provision of 
                        services and programs specified in section 
                        471(e)(1) as are for training of personnel 
                        employed or preparing for employment by the 
                        State agency or by the local agency 
                        administering the plan in the political 
                        subdivision and of the members of the staff of 
                        State-licensed or State-approved child welfare 
                        agencies providing services to children 
                        described in section 471(e)(2) and their 
                        parents or kin caregivers, including on how to 
                        determine who are individuals eligible for the 
                        services or programs, how to identify and 
                        provide appropriate services and programs, and 
                        how to oversee and evaluate the ongoing 
                        appropriateness of the services and 
                        programs.''.
    (d) Technical Assistance and Best Practices, Clearinghouse, and 
Data Collection and Evaluations.--Section 476 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
676) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Technical Assistance and Best Practices, Clearinghouse, Data 
Collection, and Evaluations Relating to Prevention Services and 
Programs.--
            ``(1) Technical assistance and best practices.--The 
        Secretary shall provide to States and, as applicable, to Indian 
        tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia, technical 
        assistance regarding the provision of services and programs 
        described in section 471(e)(1) and shall disseminate best 
        practices with respect to the provision of the services and 
        programs, including how to plan and implement a well-designed 
        and rigorous evaluation of a promising, supported, or well-
        supported practice.
            ``(2) Clearinghouse of promising, supported, and well-
        supported practices.--The Secretary shall, directly or through 
        grants, contracts, or interagency agreements, evaluate research 
        on the practices specified in clauses (iii), (iv), and (v), 
        respectively, of section 471(e)(4)(C), and programs that meet 
        the requirements described in section 427(a)(1), including 
        culturally specific, or location- or population-based 
        adaptations of the practices, to identify and establish a 
        public clearinghouse of the practices that satisfy each 
        category described by such clauses. In addition, the 
        clearinghouse shall include information on the specific 
        outcomes associated with each practice, including whether the 
        practice has been shown to prevent child abuse and neglect and 
        reduce the likelihood of foster care placement by supporting 
        birth families and kinship families and improving targeted 
        supports for pregnant and parenting youth and their children.
            ``(3) Data collection and evaluations.--The Secretary, 
        directly or through grants, contracts, or interagency 
        agreements, may collect data and conduct evaluations with 
        respect to the provision of services and programs described in 
        section 471(e)(1) for purposes of assessing the extent to which 
        the provision of the services and programs--
                    ``(A) reduces the likelihood of foster care 
                placement;
                    ``(B) increases use of kinship care arrangements; 
                or
                    ``(C) improves child well-being.
            ``(4) Reports to congress.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall submit to 
                the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
                Representatives periodic reports based on the provision 
                of services and programs described in section 471(e)(1) 
                and the activities carried out under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Public availability.--The Secretary shall 
                make the reports to Congress submitted under this 
                paragraph publicly available.
            ``(5) Appropriation.--Out of any money in the Treasury of 
        the United States not otherwise appropriated, there is 
        appropriated to the Secretary $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 
        and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out this 
        subsection.''.
    (e) Application to Programs Operated by Indian Tribal 
Organizations.--
            (1) In general.--Section 479B of such Act (42 U.S.C. 679c) 
        is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (c)(1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
                                    (I) in subclause (II), by striking 
                                ``and'' after the semicolon;
                                    (II) in subclause (III), by 
                                striking the period at the end and 
                                inserting ``; and''; and
                                    (III) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                                    ``(IV) at the option of the tribe, 
                                organization, or consortium, services 
                                and programs specified in section 
                                471(e)(1) to children described in 
                                section 471(e)(2) and their parents or 
                                kin caregivers, in accordance with 
                                section 471(e) and subparagraph (E).''; 
                                and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Prevention services and programs for children 
                and their parents and kin caregivers.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In the case of a tribe, 
                        organization, or consortium that elects to 
                        provide services and programs specified in 
                        section 471(e)(1) to children described in 
                        section 471(e)(2) and their parents or kin 
                        caregivers under the plan, the Secretary shall 
                        specify the requirements applicable to the 
                        provision of the services and programs. The 
                        requirements shall, to the greatest extent 
                        practicable, be consistent with the 
                        requirements applicable to States under section 
                        471(e) and shall permit the provision of the 
                        services and programs in the form of services 
                        and programs that are adapted to the culture 
                        and context of the tribal communities served.
                            ``(ii) Performance measures.--The Secretary 
                        shall establish specific performance measures 
                        for each tribe, organization, or consortium 
                        that elects to provide services and programs 
                        specified in section 471(e)(1). The performance 
                        measures shall, to the greatest extent 
                        practicable, be consistent with the prevention 
                        services measures required for States under 
                        section 471(e)(6) but shall allow for 
                        consideration of factors unique to the 
                        provision of the services by tribes, 
                        organizations, or consortia.''; and
                    (B) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``and (5)'' 
                and inserting ``(5), and (6)(A)''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--The heading for subsection (d) 
        of section 479B of such Act (42 U.S.C. 679c) is amended by 
        striking ``for Foster Care Maintenance and Adoption Assistance 
        Payments''.

SEC. 112. FOSTER CARE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS FOR CHILDREN WITH PARENTS IN 
              A LICENSED RESIDENTIAL FAMILY-BASED TREATMENT FACILITY 
              FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

    (a) In General.--Section 472 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
672) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by striking ``or'' and 
        inserting ``, with a parent residing in a licensed residential 
        family-based treatment facility, but only to the extent 
        permitted under subsection (j), or in a''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Children Placed With a Parent Residing in a Licensed 
Residential Family-Based Treatment Facility for Substance Abuse.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the preceding provisions 
        of this section, a child who is eligible for foster care 
        maintenance payments under this section, or who would be 
        eligible for the payments if the eligibility were determined 
        without regard to paragraphs (1)(B) and (3) of subsection (a), 
        shall be eligible for the payments for a period of not more 
        than 12 months during which the child is placed with a parent 
        who is in a licensed residential family-based treatment 
        facility for substance abuse, but only if--
                    ``(A) the recommendation for the placement is 
                specified in the child's case plan before the 
                placement;
                    ``(B) the treatment facility provides, as part of 
                the treatment for substance abuse, parenting skills 
                training, parent education, and individual and family 
                counseling; and
                    ``(C) the substance abuse treatment, parenting 
                skills training, parent education, and individual and 
                family counseling is provided under an organizational 
                structure and treatment framework that involves 
                understanding, recognizing, and responding to the 
                effects of all types of trauma and in accordance with 
                recognized principles of a trauma-informed approach and 
                trauma-specific interventions to address the 
                consequences of trauma and facilitate healing.
            ``(2) Application.--With respect to children for whom 
        foster care maintenance payments are made under paragraph (1), 
        only the children who satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 
        (1)(B) and (3) of subsection (a) shall be considered to be 
        children with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments 
        are made under this section for purposes of subsection (h) or 
        section 473(b)(3)(B).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 474(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
674(a)(1)) is amended by inserting ``subject to section 472(j),'' 
before ``an amount equal to the Federal'' the first place it appears.

SEC. 113. TITLE IV-E PAYMENTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED KINSHIP NAVIGATOR 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 474(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)), as 
amended by section 111(c), is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; plus''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) an amount equal to 50 percent of the amounts expended 
        by the State during the quarter as the Secretary determines are 
        for kinship navigator programs that meet the requirements 
        described in section 427(a)(1) and that the Secretary 
        determines are operated in accordance with promising, 
        supported, or well-supported practices that meet the applicable 
        criteria specified for the practices in section 471(e)(4)(C), 
        without regard to whether the expenditures are incurred on 
        behalf of children who are, or are potentially, eligible for 
        foster care maintenance payments under this part.''.

             Subtitle B--Enhanced Support Under Title IV-B

SEC. 121. ELIMINATION OF TIME LIMIT FOR FAMILY REUNIFICATION SERVICES 
              WHILE IN FOSTER CARE AND PERMITTING TIME-LIMITED FAMILY 
              REUNIFICATION SERVICES WHEN A CHILD RETURNS HOME FROM 
              FOSTER CARE.

    (a) In General.--Section 431(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 629a(a)(7)) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Time-limited 
        family'' and inserting ``Family''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``time-limited family'' and 
                inserting ``family'';
                    (B) by inserting ``or a child who has been returned 
                home'' after ``child care institution''; and
                    (C) by striking ``, but only during the 15-month 
                period that begins on the date that the child, pursuant 
                to section 475(5)(F), is considered to have entered 
                foster care'' and inserting ``and to ensure the 
                strength and stability of the reunification. In the 
                case of a child who has been returned home, the 
                services and activities shall only be provided during 
                the 15-month period that begins on the date that the 
                child returns home''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 430 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629) is amended in 
        the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``time-
        limited''.
            (2) Subsections (a)(4), (a)(5)(A), and (b)(1) of section 
        432 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629b) are amended by striking 
        ``time-limited'' each place it appears.

SEC. 122. REDUCING BUREAUCRACY AND UNNECESSARY DELAYS WHEN PLACING 
              CHILDREN IN HOMES ACROSS STATE LINES.

    (a) State Plan Requirement.--Section 471(a)(25) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(25)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``provide'' and insert ``provides''; and
            (2) by inserting ``, which, not later than October 1, 2026, 
        shall include the use of an electronic interstate case-
        processing system'' before the first semicolon.
    (b) Grants for the Development of an Electronic Interstate Case-
Processing System To Expedite the Interstate Placement of Children in 
Foster Care or Guardianship, or for Adoption.--Section 437 of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 629g) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Grants for the Development of an Electronic Interstate Case-
Processing System To Expedite the Interstate Placement of Children in 
Foster Care or Guardianship, or for Adoption.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to 
        facilitate the development of an electronic interstate case-
        processing system for the exchange of data and documents to 
        expedite the placements of children in foster, guardianship, or 
        adoptive homes across State lines.
            ``(2) Application requirements.--A State that desires a 
        grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application containing the following:
                    ``(A) A description of the goals and outcomes to be 
                achieved during the period for which grant funds are 
                sought, which goals and outcomes must result in--
                            ``(i) reducing the time it takes for a 
                        child to be provided with a safe and 
                        appropriate permanent living arrangement across 
                        State lines;
                            ``(ii) improving administrative processes 
                        and reducing costs in the foster care system; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the secure exchange of relevant 
                        case files and other necessary materials in 
                        real time, and timely communications and 
                        placement decisions regarding interstate 
                        placements of children.
                    ``(B) A description of the activities to be funded 
                in whole or in part with the grant funds, including the 
                sequencing of the activities.
                    ``(C) A description of the strategies for 
                integrating programs and services for children who are 
                placed across State lines.
                    ``(D) Such other information as the Secretary may 
                require.
            ``(3) Grant authority.--The Secretary may make a grant to a 
        State that complies with paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Use of funds.--A State to which a grant is made under 
        this subsection shall use the grant to support the State in 
        connecting with the electronic interstate case-processing 
        system described in paragraph (1).
            ``(5) Evaluations.--Not later than 1 year after the final 
        year in which grants are awarded under this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall submit to the Congress, and make available to 
        the general public by posting on a website, a report that 
        contains the following information:
                    ``(A) How using the electronic interstate case-
                processing system developed pursuant to paragraph (4) 
                has changed the time it takes for children to be placed 
                across State lines.
                    ``(B) The number of cases subject to the Interstate 
                Compact on the Placement of Children that were 
                processed through the electronic interstate case-
                processing system, and the number of interstate child 
                placement cases that were processed outside the 
                electronic interstate case-processing system, by each 
                State in each year.
                    ``(C) The progress made by States in implementing 
                the electronic interstate case-processing system.
                    ``(D) How using the electronic interstate case-
                processing system has affected various metrics related 
                to child safety and well-being, including the time it 
                takes for children to be placed across State lines.
                    ``(E) How using the electronic interstate case-
                processing system has affected administrative costs and 
                caseworker time spent on placing children across State 
                lines.
            ``(6) Data integration.--The Secretary, in consultation 
        with the Secretariat for the Interstate Compact on the 
        Placement of Children and the States, shall assess how the 
        electronic interstate case-processing system developed pursuant 
        to paragraph (4) could be used to better serve and protect 
        children that come to the attention of the child welfare 
        system, by--
                    ``(A) connecting the system with other data systems 
                (such as systems operated by State law enforcement and 
                judicial agencies, systems operated by the Federal 
                Bureau of Investigation for the purposes of the 
                Innocence Lost National Initiative, and other systems);
                    ``(B) simplifying and improving reporting related 
                to paragraphs (34) and (35) of section 471(a) regarding 
                children or youth who have been identified as being a 
                sex trafficking victim or children missing from foster 
                care; and
                    ``(C) improving the ability of States to quickly 
                comply with background check requirements of section 
                471(a)(20), including checks of child abuse and neglect 
                registries as required by section 471(a)(20)(B).''.
    (c) Reservation of Funds To Improve the Interstate Placement of 
Children.--Section 437(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629g(b)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Improving the interstate placement of children.--The 
        Secretary shall reserve $5,000,000 of the amount made available 
        for fiscal year 2017 for grants under subsection (g), and the 
        amount so reserved shall remain available through fiscal year 
        2021.''.

SEC. 123. ENHANCEMENTS TO GRANTS TO IMPROVE WELL-BEING OF FAMILIES 
              AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

    Section 437(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629g(f)) is 
amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Increase the 
        Well-Being of, and To Improve the Permanency Outcomes for, 
        Children Affected by'' and inserting ``Implement IV-E 
        Prevention Services, and Improve the Well-Being of, and Improve 
        Permanency Outcomes for, Children and Families Affected by 
        Heroin, Opioids, and Other'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Regional partnership defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term `regional partnership' means a collaborative agreement 
        (which may be established on an interstate, State, or 
        intrastate basis) entered into by the following:
                    ``(A) Mandatory partners for all partnership 
                grants.--
                            ``(i) The State child welfare agency that 
                        is responsible for the administration of the 
                        State plan under this part and part E.
                            ``(ii) The State agency responsible for 
                        administering the substance abuse prevention 
                        and treatment block grant provided under 
                        subpart II of part B of title XIX of the Public 
                        Health Service Act.
                    ``(B) Mandatory partners for partnership grants 
                proposing to serve children in out-of-home 
                placements.--If the partnership proposes to serve 
                children in out-of-home placements, the Juvenile Court 
                or Administrative Office of the Court that is most 
                appropriate to oversee the administration of court 
                programs in the region to address the population of 
                families who come to the attention of the court due to 
                child abuse or neglect.
                    ``(C) Optional partners.--At the option of the 
                partnership, any of the following:
                            ``(i) An Indian tribe or tribal consortium.
                            ``(ii) Nonprofit child welfare service 
                        providers.
                            ``(iii) For-profit child welfare service 
                        providers.
                            ``(iv) Community health service providers, 
                        including substance abuse treatment providers.
                            ``(v) Community mental health providers.
                            ``(vi) Local law enforcement agencies.
                            ``(vii) School personnel.
                            ``(viii) Tribal child welfare agencies (or 
                        a consortia of the agencies).
                            ``(ix) Any other providers, agencies, 
                        personnel, officials, or entities that are 
                        related to the provision of child and family 
                        services under a State plan approved under this 
                        subpart.
                    ``(D) Exception for regional partnerships where the 
                lead applicant is an indian tribe or tribal 
                consortia.--If an Indian tribe or tribal consortium 
                enters into a regional partnership for purposes of this 
                subsection, the Indian tribe or tribal consortium--
                            ``(i) may (but is not required to) include 
                        the State child welfare agency as a partner in 
                        the collaborative agreement;
                            ``(ii) may not enter into a collaborative 
                        agreement only with tribal child welfare 
                        agencies (or a consortium of the agencies); and
                            ``(iii) if the condition described in 
                        paragraph (2)(B) applies, may include tribal 
                        court organizations in lieu of other judicial 
                        partners.'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``2012 through 2016'' and 
                        inserting ``2017 through 2021''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``$500,000 and not more 
                        than $1,000,000'' and inserting ``$250,000 and 
                        not more than $1,000,000'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in the subparagraph heading, by 
                        inserting ``; planning'' after ``approval'';
                            (ii) in clause (i), by striking ``clause 
                        (ii)'' and inserting ``clauses (ii) and 
                        (iii)''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Sufficient planning.--A grant 
                        awarded under this subsection shall be 
                        disbursed in two phases: a planning phase (not 
                        to exceed 2 years); and an implementation 
                        phase. The total disbursement to a grantee for 
                        the planning phase may not exceed $250,000, and 
                        may not exceed the total anticipated funding 
                        for the implementation phase.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Limitation on payment for a fiscal year.--No 
                payment shall be made under subparagraph (A) or (C) for 
                a fiscal year until the Secretary determines that the 
                eligible partnership has made sufficient progress in 
                meeting the goals of the grant and that the members of 
                the eligible partnership are coordinating to a 
                reasonable degree with the other members of the 
                eligible partnership.'';
            (4) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``, 
                        parents, and families'' after ``children'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``safety 
                        and permanence for such children; and'' and 
                        inserting ``safe, permanent caregiving 
                        relationships for the children;'';
                            (iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``or'' 
                        and inserting ``increase reunification rates 
                        for children who have been placed in out of 
                        home care, or decrease''; and
                            (iv) by redesignating clause (iii) as 
                        clause (v) and inserting after clause (ii) the 
                        following:
                            ``(iii) improve the substance abuse 
                        treatment outcomes for parents including 
                        retention in treatment and successful 
                        completion of treatment;
                            ``(iv) facilitate the implementation, 
                        delivery, and effectiveness of prevention 
                        services and programs under section 471(e); 
                        and'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``where 
                appropriate,''; and
                    (C) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (F) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(E) A description of a plan for sustaining the 
                services provided by or activities funded under the 
                grant after the conclusion of the grant period, 
                including through the use of prevention services and 
                programs under section 471(e) and other funds provided 
                to the State for child welfare and substance abuse 
                prevention and treatment services.
                    ``(F) Additional information needed by the 
                Secretary to determine that the proposed activities and 
                implementation will be consistent with research or 
                evaluations showing which practices and approaches are 
                most effective.'';
            (5) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``abuse treatment'' 
        and inserting ``use disorder treatment including medication 
        assisted treatment and in-home substance abuse disorder 
        treatment and recovery'';
            (6) in paragraph (7)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (C); and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                subparagraph (E) and inserting after subparagraph (C) 
                the following:
                    ``(D) demonstrate a track record of successful 
                collaboration among child welfare, substance abuse 
                disorder treatment and mental health agencies; and'';
            (7) in paragraph (8)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``establish indicators that 
                        will be'' and inserting ``review indicators 
                        that are''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``in using funds made 
                        available under such grants to achieve the 
                        purpose of this subsection'' and inserting 
                        ``and establish a set of core indicators 
                        related to child safety, parental recovery, 
                        parenting capacity, and family well-being. In 
                        developing the core indicators, to the extent 
                        possible, indicators shall be made consistent 
                        with the outcome measures described in section 
                        471(e)(6)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        inserting ``base the performance measures on 
                        lessons learned from prior rounds of regional 
                        partnership grants under this subsection, and'' 
                        before ``consult''; and
                            (ii) by striking clauses (iii) and (iv) and 
                        inserting the following:
                            ``(iii) Other stakeholders or 
                        constituencies as determined by the 
                        Secretary.'';
            (8) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking clause (i) and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) Semiannual reports.--Not later than 
                        September 30 of each fiscal year in which a 
                        recipient of a grant under this subsection is 
                        paid funds under the grant, and every 6 months 
                        thereafter, the grant recipient shall submit to 
                        the Secretary a report on the services provided 
                        and activities carried out during the reporting 
                        period, progress made in achieving the goals of 
                        the program, the number of children, adults, 
                        and families receiving services, and such 
                        additional information as the Secretary 
                        determines is necessary. The report due not 
                        later than September 30 of the last such fiscal 
                        year shall include, at a minimum, data on each 
                        of the performance indicators included in the 
                        evaluation of the regional partnership.''; and
            (9) in paragraph (10), by striking ``2012 through 2016'' 
        and inserting ``2017 through 2021''.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

SEC. 131. REVIEWING AND IMPROVING LICENSING STANDARDS FOR PLACEMENT IN 
              A RELATIVE FOSTER FAMILY HOME.

    (a) Identification of Reputable Model Licensing Standards.--Not 
later than October 1, 2017, the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall identify reputable model licensing standards with respect to the 
licensing of foster family homes (as defined in section 472(c)(1) of 
the Social Security Act).
    (b) State Plan Requirement.--Section 471(a) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (34)(B), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (35)(B), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(36) provides that, not later than April 1, 2018, the 
        State shall submit to the Secretary information addressing--
                    ``(A) whether the State licensing standards are in 
                accord with model standards identified by the 
                Secretary, and if not, the reason for the specific 
                deviation and a description as to why having a standard 
                that is reasonably in accord with the corresponding 
                national model standards is not appropriate for the 
                State;
                    ``(B) whether the State has elected to waive 
                standards established in 471(a)(10)(A) for relative 
                foster family homes (pursuant to waiver authority 
                provided by 471(a)(10)(D)), a description of which 
                standards the State most commonly waives, and if the 
                State has not elected to waive the standards, the 
                reason for not waiving these standards;
                    ``(C) if the State has elected to waive standards 
                specified in subparagraph (B), how caseworkers are 
                trained to use the waiver authority and whether the 
                State has developed a process or provided tools to 
                assist caseworkers in waiving nonsafety standards per 
                the authority provided in 471(a)(10)(D) to quickly 
                place children with relatives; and
                    ``(D) a description of the steps the State is 
                taking to improve caseworker training or the process, 
                if any; and''.

SEC. 132. DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE PLAN TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND 
              NEGLECT FATALITIES.

    Section 422(b)(19) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
622(b)(19)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(19) document steps taken to track and prevent child 
        maltreatment deaths by including--
                    ``(A) a description of the steps the State is 
                taking to compile complete and accurate information on 
                the deaths required by Federal law to be reported by 
                the State agency referred to in paragraph (1), 
                including gathering relevant information on the deaths 
                from the relevant organizations in the State including 
                entities such as State vital statistics department, 
                child death review teams, law enforcement agencies, 
                offices of medical examiners or coroners; and
                    ``(B) a description of the steps the State is 
                taking to develop and implement of a comprehensive, 
                statewide plan to prevent the fatalities that involves 
                and engages relevant public and private agency 
                partners, including those in public health, law 
                enforcement, and the courts.''.

SEC. 133. MODERNIZING THE TITLE AND PURPOSE OF TITLE IV-E.

    (a) Part Heading.--The heading for part E of title IV of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

      ``PART E--FEDERAL PAYMENTS FOR FOSTER CARE, PREVENTION, AND 
                             PERMANENCY''.

    (b) Purpose.--The first sentence of section 470 of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 670) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``1995) and'' and inserting ``1995),'';
            (2) by inserting ``kinship guardianship assistance, and 
        prevention services or programs specified in section 
        471(e)(1),'' after ``needs,''; and
            (3) by striking ``(commencing with the fiscal year which 
        begins October 1, 1980)''.

SEC. 134. EFFECTIVE DATES.

    (a) Effective Dates.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        subject to subsection (b), the amendments made by this title 
        shall take effect on October 1, 2017.
            (2) Exceptions.--The amendments made by sections 131 and 
        133 shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Transition Rule.--
            (1) In general.--In the case of a State plan under part B 
        or E of title IV of the Social Security Act which the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services determines requires State 
        legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in 
        order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed 
        by the amendments made by this title, the State plan shall not 
        be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such 
        part solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet 
        such additional requirements before the first day of the first 
        calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular 
        session of the State legislature that begins after the date of 
        enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, 
        in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, 
        each year of the session shall be deemed to be a separate 
        regular session of the State legislature.
            (2) Application to programs operated by indian tribal 
        organizations.--In the case of an Indian tribe, tribal 
        organization, or tribal consortium which the Secretary of 
        Health and Human Services determines requires time to take 
        action necessary to comply with the additional requirements 
        imposed by the amendments made by this title (whether the 
        tribe, organization, or tribal consortium has a plan under 
        section 479B of the Social Security Act or a cooperative 
        agreement or contract entered into with a State), the Secretary 
        shall provide the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium 
        with such additional time as the Secretary determines is 
        necessary for the tribe, organization, or tribal consortium to 
        take the action to comply with the additional requirements 
        before being regarded as failing to comply with the 
        requirements.

TITLE II--ENSURING THE NECESSITY OF A PLACEMENT THAT IS NOT IN A FOSTER 
                              FAMILY HOME

SEC. 201. LIMITATION ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION FOR PLACEMENTS 
              THAT ARE NOT IN FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

    (a) Limitation on Federal Financial Participation.--
            (1) In general.--Section 472 of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 672), as amended by section 112, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by inserting ``, but 
                only to the extent permitted under subsection (k)'' 
                after ``institution''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Limitation on Federal Financial Participation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Beginning with the third week for which 
        foster care maintenance payments are made under this section on 
        behalf of a child placed in a child-care institution, no 
        Federal payment shall be made to the State under section 
        474(a)(1) for amounts expended for foster care maintenance 
        payments on behalf of the child unless--
                    ``(A) the child is placed in a child-care 
                institution that is a setting specified in paragraph 
                (2) (or is placed in a licensed residential family-
                based treatment facility consistent with subsection 
                (j)); and
                    ``(B) in the case of a child placed in a qualified 
                residential treatment program (as defined in paragraph 
                (4)), the requirements specified in paragraph (3) and 
                section 475A(c) are met.
            ``(2) Specified settings for placement.--The settings for 
        placement specified in this paragraph are the following:
                    ``(A) A qualified residential treatment program (as 
                defined in paragraph (4)).
                    ``(B) A setting specializing in providing prenatal, 
                post-partum, or parenting supports for youth.
                    ``(C) In the case of a child who has attained 18 
                years of age, a supervised setting in which the child 
                is living independently.
            ``(3) Assessment to determine appropriateness of placement 
        in a qualified residential treatment program.--
                    ``(A) Deadline for assessment.--In the case of a 
                child who is placed in a qualified residential 
                treatment program, if the assessment required under 
                section 475A(c)(1) is not completed within 30 days 
                after the placement is made, no Federal payment shall 
                be made to the State under section 474(a)(1) for any 
                amounts expended for foster care maintenance payments 
                on behalf of the child during the placement.
                    ``(B) Deadline for transition out of placement.--If 
                the assessment required under section 475A(c)(1) 
                determines that the placement of a child in a qualified 
                residential treatment program is not appropriate, a 
                court disapproves such a placement under section 
                475A(c)(2), or a child who has been in an approved 
                placement in a qualified residential treatment program 
                is going to return home or be placed with a fit and 
                willing relative, a legal guardian, or an adoptive 
                parent, or in a foster family home, Federal payments 
                shall be made to the State under section 474(a)(1) for 
                amounts expended for foster care maintenance payments 
                on behalf of the child while the child remains in the 
                qualified residential treatment program only during the 
                period necessary for the child to transition home or to 
                such a placement. In no event shall a State receive 
                Federal payments under section 474(a)(1) for amounts 
                expended for foster care maintenance payments on behalf 
                of a child who remains placed in a qualified 
                residential treatment program after the end of the 30-
                day period that begins on the date a determination is 
                made that the placement is no longer the recommended or 
                approved placement for the child.
            ``(4) Qualified residential treatment program.--For 
        purposes of this part, the term `qualified residential 
        treatment program' means a program that--
                    ``(A) has a trauma-informed treatment model that is 
                designed to address the needs, including clinical needs 
                as appropriate, of children with serious emotional or 
                behavioral disorders or disturbances and, with respect 
                to a child, is able to implement the treatment 
                identified for the child by the assessment of the child 
                required under section 475A(c);
                    ``(B) has registered or licensed nursing staff and 
                other licensed clinical staff who--
                            ``(i) provide care within the scope of 
                        their practice as defined by State law;
                            ``(ii) are on-site during business hours; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) are available 24 hours a day and 7 
                        days a week;
                    ``(C) to the extent appropriate, and in accordance 
                with the child's best interests, facilitates 
                participation of family members in the child's 
                treatment program;
                    ``(D) facilitates outreach to the family members of 
                the child, including siblings, documents how the 
                outreach is made (including contact information), and 
                maintains contact information for any known biological 
                family and fictive kin of the child;
                    ``(E) documents how family members are integrated 
                into the treatment process for the child, including 
                post-discharge, and how sibling connections are 
                maintained;
                    ``(F) provides discharge planning and family-based 
                aftercare support for at least 6 months post-discharge; 
                and
                    ``(G) is licensed in accordance with section 
                471(a)(10) and is accredited by any of the following 
                independent, not-for-profit organizations:
                            ``(i) The Commission on Accreditation of 
                        Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
                            ``(ii) The Joint Commission on 
                        Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations 
                        (JCAHO).
                            ``(iii) The Council on Accreditation (COA).
                            ``(iv) Any other independent, not-for-
                        profit accrediting organization approved by the 
                        Secretary.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 474(a)(1) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(1)), as amended by section 
        112(b), is amended by striking ``section 472(j)'' and inserting 
        ``subsections (j) and (k) of section 472''.
    (b) Definition of Foster Family Home, Child-Care Institution.--
Section 472(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 672(c)(1)) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this part:
            ``(1) Foster family home.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `foster family home' 
                means the home of an individual or family--
                            ``(i) that is licensed or approved by the 
                        State in which it is situated as a foster 
                        family home that meets the standards 
                        established for the licensing or approval; and
                            ``(ii) in which a child in foster care has 
                        been placed in the care of an individual, who 
                        resides with the child and who has been 
                        licensed or approved by the State to be a 
                        foster parent--
                                    ``(I) that the State deems capable 
                                of adhering to the reasonable and 
                                prudent parent standard;
                                    ``(II) that provides 24-hour 
                                substitute care for children placed 
                                away from their parents or other 
                                caretakers; and
                                    ``(III) that provides the care for 
                                not more than six children in foster 
                                care.
                    ``(B) State flexibility.--The number of foster 
                children that may be cared for in a home under 
                subparagraph (A) may exceed the numerical limitation in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii)(III), at the option of the State, 
                for any of the following reasons:
                            ``(i) To allow a parenting youth in foster 
                        care to remain with the child of the parenting 
                        youth.
                            ``(ii) To allow siblings to remain 
                        together.
                            ``(iii) To allow a child with an 
                        established meaningful relationship with the 
                        family to remain with the family.
                            ``(iv) To allow a family with special 
                        training or skills to provide care to a child 
                        who has a severe disability.
                    ``(C) Rule of construction.--Subparagraph (A) shall 
                not be construed as prohibiting a foster parent from 
                renting the home in which the parent cares for a foster 
                child placed in the parent's care.
            ``(2) Child-care institution.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `child-care 
                institution' means a private child-care institution, or 
                a public child-care institution which accommodates no 
                more than 25 children, which is licensed by the State 
                in which it is situated or has been approved by the 
                agency of the State responsible for licensing or 
                approval of institutions of this type as meeting the 
                standards established for the licensing.
                    ``(B) Supervised settings.--In the case of a child 
                who has attained 18 years of age, the term shall 
                include a supervised setting in which the individual is 
                living independently, in accordance with such 
                conditions as the Secretary shall establish in 
                regulations.
                    ``(C) Exclusions.--The term shall not include 
                detention facilities, forestry camps, training schools, 
                or any other facility operated primarily for the 
                detention of children who are determined to be 
                delinquent.''.
    (c) Training for State Judges, Attorneys, and Other Legal Personnel 
in Child Welfare Cases.--Section 438(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
629h(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
inserting ``shall provide for the training of judges, attorneys, and 
other legal personnel in child welfare cases on Federal child welfare 
policies and payment limitations with respect to children in foster 
care who are placed in settings that are not a foster family home,'' 
after ``with respect to the child,''.
    (d) Assurance of Nonimpact on Juvenile Justice System.--
            (1) State plan requirement.--Section 471(a) of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 671(a)), as amended by section 131, is further amended 
        by adding at the end the following:
            ``(37) includes a certification that, in response to the 
        limitation imposed under section 472(k) with respect to foster 
        care maintenance payments made on behalf of any child who is 
        placed in a setting that is not a foster family home, the State 
        will not enact or advance policies or practices that would 
        result in a significant increase in the population of youth in 
        the State's juvenile justice system.''.
            (2) GAO study and report.--The Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall evaluate the impact, if any, on State 
        juvenile justice systems of the limitation imposed under 
        section 472(k) of the Social Security Act (as added by section 
        201(a)(1)) on foster care maintenance payments made on behalf 
        of any child who is placed in a setting that is not a foster 
        family home, in accordance with the amendments made by 
        subsections (a) and (b) of this section. In particular, the 
        Comptroller General shall evaluate the extent to which children 
        in foster care who also are subject to the juvenile justice 
        system of the State are placed in a facility under the 
        jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system and whether the 
        lack of available congregate care placements under the 
        jurisdiction of the child welfare systems is a contributing 
        factor to that result. Not later than December 31, 2023, the 
        Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the 
        results of the evaluation.

SEC. 202. ASSESSMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE NEED FOR PLACEMENT IN A 
              QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 475A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675a) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Assessment, Documentation, and Judicial Determination 
Requirements for Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment 
Program.--In the case of any child who is placed in a qualified 
residential treatment program (as defined in section 472(k)(4)), the 
following requirements shall apply for purposes of approving the case 
plan for the child and the case system review procedure for the child:
            ``(1)(A) Within 30 days of the start of each placement in 
        such a setting, a qualified individual (as defined in 
        subparagraph (D)) shall--
                    ``(i) assess the strengths and needs of the child 
                using an age-appropriate, evidence-based, validated, 
                functional assessment tool approved by the Secretary;
                    ``(ii) determine whether the needs of the child can 
                be met with family members or through placement in a 
                foster family home or, if not, which setting from among 
                the settings specified in section 472(k)(2) would 
                provide the most effective and appropriate level of 
                care for the child in the least restrictive environment 
                and be consistent with the short- and long-term goals 
                for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for 
                the child; and
                    ``(iii) develop a list of child-specific short- and 
                long-term mental and behavioral health goals.
            ``(B)(i) The State shall assemble a family and permanency 
        team for the child in accordance with the requirements of 
        clauses (ii) and (iii). The qualified individual conducting the 
        assessment required under subparagraph (A) shall work in 
        conjunction with the family of, and permanency team for, the 
        child while conducting and making the assessment.
            ``(ii) The family and permanency team shall consist of all 
        appropriate biological family members, relative, and fictive 
        kin of the child, as well as, as appropriate, professionals who 
        are a resource to the family of the child, such as teachers, 
        medical or mental health providers who have treated the child, 
        or clergy. In the case of a child who has attained age 14, the 
        family and permanency team shall include the members of the 
        permanency planning team for the child that are selected by the 
        child in accordance with section 475(5)(C)(iv).
            ``(iii) The State shall document in the child's case plan--
                    ``(I) the reasonable and good faith effort of the 
                State to identify and include all such individuals on 
                the family of, and permanency team for, the child;
                    ``(II) all contact information for members of the 
                family and permanency team, as well as contact 
                information for other family members and fictive kin 
                who are not part of the family and permanency team;
                    ``(III) evidence that meetings of the family and 
                permanency team, including meetings relating to the 
                assessment required under subparagraph (A), are held at 
                a time and place convenient for family;
                    ``(IV) if reunification is the goal, evidence 
                demonstrating that the parent from whom the child was 
                removed provided input on the members of the family and 
                permanency team;
                    ``(V) evidence that the assessment required under 
                subparagraph (A) is determined in conjunction with the 
                family and permanency team; and
                    ``(VI) the placement preferences of the family and 
                permanency team relative to the assessment and, if the 
                placement preferences of the family and permanency team 
                and child are not the placement setting recommended by 
                the qualified individual conducting the assessment 
                under subparagraph (A), the reasons why the preferences 
                of the team and of the child were not recommended.
            ``(C) In the case of a child who the qualified individual 
        conducting the assessment under subparagraph (A) determines 
        should not be placed in a foster family home, the qualified 
        individual shall specify in writing the reasons why the needs 
        of the child cannot be met by the family of the child or in a 
        foster family home. A shortage or lack of foster family homes 
        shall not be an acceptable reason for determining that a needs 
        of the child cannot be met in a foster family home. The 
        qualified individual also shall specify in writing why the 
        recommended placement in a qualified residential treatment 
        program is the setting that will provide the child with the 
        most effective and appropriate level of care in the least 
        restrictive environment and how that placement is consistent 
        with the short- and long-term goals for the child, as specified 
        in the permanency plan for the child.
            ``(D)(i) Subject to clause (ii), in this subsection, the 
        term `qualified individual' means a trained professional or 
        licensed clinician who is not an employee of the State agency 
        and who is not connected to, or affiliated with, any placement 
        setting in which children are placed by the State.
            ``(ii) The Secretary may approve a request of a State to 
        waive any requirement in clause (i) upon a submission by the 
        State, in accordance with criteria established by the 
        Secretary, that certifies that the trained professionals or 
        licensed clinicians with responsibility for performing the 
        assessments described in subparagraph (A) shall maintain 
        objectivity with respect to determining the most effective and 
        appropriate placement for a child.
            ``(2) Within 60 days of the start of each placement in a 
        qualified residential treatment program, a family or juvenile 
        court or another court (including a tribal court) of competent 
        jurisdiction, or an administrative body appointed or approved 
        by the court, independently, shall--
                    ``(A) consider the assessment, determination, and 
                documentation made by the qualified individual 
                conducting the assessment under paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) determine whether the needs of the child can 
                be met through placement in a foster family home or, if 
                not, whether placement of the child in a qualified 
                residential treatment program provides the most 
                effective and appropriate level of care for the child 
                in the least restrictive environment and whether that 
                placement is consistent with the short- and long-term 
                goals for the child, as specified in the permanency 
                plan for the child; and
                    ``(C) approve or disapprove the placement.
            ``(3) The written documentation made under paragraph (1)(C) 
        and documentation of the determination and approval or 
        disapproval of the placement in a qualified residential 
        treatment program by a court or administrative body under 
        paragraph (2) shall be included in and made part of the case 
        plan for the child.
            ``(4) As long as a child remains placed in a qualified 
        residential treatment program, the State agency shall submit 
        evidence at each status review and each permanency hearing held 
        with respect to the child--
                    ``(A) demonstrating that ongoing assessment of the 
                strengths and needs of the child continues to support 
                the determination that the needs of the child cannot be 
                met through placement in a foster family home, that the 
                placement in a qualified residential treatment program 
                provides the most effective and appropriate level of 
                care for the child in the least restrictive 
                environment, and that the placement is consistent with 
                the short- and long-term goals for the child, as 
                specified in the permanency plan for the child;
                    ``(B) documenting the specific treatment or service 
                needs that will be met for the child in the placement 
                and the length of time the child is expected to need 
                the treatment or services; and
                    ``(C) documenting the efforts made by the State 
                agency to prepare the child to return home or to be 
                placed with a fit and willing relative, a legal 
                guardian, or an adoptive parent, or in a foster family 
                home.
            ``(5) In the case of any child who is placed in a qualified 
        residential treatment program for more than 12 consecutive 
        months or 18 nonconsecutive months (or, in the case of a child 
        who has not attained age 13, for more than 6 consecutive or 
        nonconsecutive months), the State agency shall submit to the 
        Secretary--
                    ``(A) the most recent versions of the evidence and 
                documentation specified in paragraph (4); and
                    ``(B) the signed approval of the head of the State 
                agency for the continued placement of the child in that 
                setting.''.

SEC. 203. PROTOCOLS TO PREVENT INAPPROPRIATE DIAGNOSES.

    (a) State Plan Requirement.--Section 422(b)(15)(A) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 622(b)(15)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (vi), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (viii); and
            (3) by inserting after clause (vi) the following:
                            ``(vii) the procedures and protocols the 
                        State has established to ensure that children 
                        in foster care placements are not 
                        inappropriately diagnosed with mental illness, 
                        other emotional or behavioral disorders, 
                        medically fragile conditions, or developmental 
                        disabilities, and placed in settings that are 
                        not foster family homes as a result of the 
                        inappropriate diagnoses; and''.
    (b) Evaluation.--Section 476 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 676), as 
amended by section 111(d), is further amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(e) Evaluation of State Procedures and Protocols To Prevent 
Inappropriate Diagnoses of Mental Illness or Other Conditions.--The 
Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the procedures and protocols 
established by States in accordance with the requirements of section 
422(b)(15)(A)(vii). The evaluation shall analyze the extent to which 
States comply with and enforce the procedures and protocols and the 
effectiveness of various State procedures and protocols and shall 
identify best practices. Not later than January 1, 2019, the Secretary 
shall submit a report on the results of the evaluation to Congress.''.

SEC. 204. ADDITIONAL DATA AND REPORTS REGARDING CHILDREN PLACED IN A 
              SETTING THAT IS NOT A FOSTER FAMILY HOME.

    Section 479A(a)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
679b(a)(7)(A)) is amended by striking clauses (i) through (vi) and 
inserting the following:
                            ``(i) with respect to each such placement--
                                    ``(I) the type of the placement 
                                setting, including whether the 
                                placement is shelter care, a group home 
                                and if so, the range of the child 
                                population in the home, a residential 
                                treatment facility, a hospital or 
                                institution providing medical, 
                                rehabilitative, or psychiatric care, a 
                                setting specializing in providing 
                                prenatal, post-partum or parenting 
                                supports, or some other kind of child-
                                care institution and if so, what kind;
                                    ``(II) the number of children in 
                                the placement setting and the age, 
                                race, ethnicity, and gender of each of 
                                the children;
                                    ``(III) for each child in the 
                                placement setting, the length of the 
                                placement of the child in the setting, 
                                whether the placement of the child in 
                                the setting is the first placement of 
                                the child and if not, the number and 
                                type of previous placements of the 
                                child, and whether the child has 
                                special needs or another diagnosed 
                                mental or physical illness or 
                                condition; and
                                    ``(IV) the extent of any 
                                specialized education, treatment, 
                                counseling, or other services provided 
                                in the setting; and
                            ``(ii) separately, the number and ages of 
                        children in the placements who have a 
                        permanency plan of another planned permanent 
                        living arrangement; and''.

SEC. 205. EFFECTIVE DATES; APPLICATION TO WAIVERS.

    (a) Effective Dates.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and subsections 
        (b) and (c), the amendments made by this title shall take 
        effect on October 1, 2017.
            (2) Transition rule.--In the case of a State plan under 
        part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act which the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires 
        State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) 
        in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements 
        imposed by the amendments made by this title, the State plan 
        shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the 
        requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure of 
        the plan to meet the additional requirements before the first 
        day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of 
        the first regular session of the State legislature that begins 
        after the date of enactment of this Act. For purposes of the 
        previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year 
        legislative session, each year of the session shall be deemed 
        to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
    (b) Limitation on Federal Financial Participation for Placements 
That Are Not in Foster Family Homes and Related Provisions.--The 
amendments made by sections 201(a), 201(b), 201(d), and 202 shall take 
effect on October 1, 2019.
    (c) Application to States With Waivers.--In the case of a State 
that, on the date of enactment of this Act, has in effect a waiver 
approved under section 1130 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1320a-9), the amendments made by this title shall not apply with 
respect to the State before the expiration (determined without regard 
to any extensions) of the waiver to the extent the amendments are 
inconsistent with the terms of the waiver.

      TITLE III--CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES

SEC. 301. SUPPORTING AND RETAINING FOSTER FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN.

    (a) Supporting and Retaining Foster Parents as a Family Support 
Service.--Section 431(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
631(a)(2)(B)) is amended by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vi) as 
clauses (iv) through (vii), respectively, and inserting after clause 
(ii) the following:
                            ``(iii) To support and retain foster 
                        families so they can provide quality family-
                        based settings for children in foster care.''.
    (b) Support for Foster Family Homes.--Section 436 of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 629f) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Support for Foster Family Homes.--Out of any money in the 
Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are 
appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal year 2018, $8,000,000 for the 
Secretary to make competitive grants to States, Indian tribes, or 
tribal consortia to support the recruitment and retention of high-
quality foster families to increase their capacity to place more 
children in family settings, focused on States, Indian tribes, or 
tribal consortia with the highest percentage of children in non-family 
settings. The amount appropriated under this subparagraph shall remain 
available through fiscal year 2022.''.

SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS.

    (a) Extension of Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services 
Program.--Section 425 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 625) is 
amended by striking ``2012 through 2016'' and inserting ``2017 through 
2021''.
    (b) Extension of Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program 
Authorizations.--
            (1) In general.--Section 436(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
        629f(a)) is amended by striking all that follows 
        ``$345,000,000'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2017 
        through 2021.''.
            (2) Discretionary grants.--Section 437(a) of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 629g(a)) is amended by striking ``2012 through 2016'' 
        and inserting ``2017 through 2021''.
    (c) Extension of Funding Reservations for Monthly Caseworker Visits 
and Regional Partnership Grants.--Section 436(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
629f(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``2012 through 2016'' 
        and inserting ``2017 through 2021''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``2012 through 2016'' and 
        inserting ``2017 through 2021''.
    (d) Reauthorization of Funding for State Courts.--
            (1) Extension of program.--Section 438(c)(1) of such Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 629h(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``2012 through 
        2016'' and inserting ``2017 through 2021''.
            (2) Extension of federal share.--Section 438(d) of such Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 629h(d)) is amended by striking ``2012 through 
        2016'' and inserting ``2017 through 2021''.
    (e) Repeal of Expired Provisions.--Section 438(e) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 629h(e)) is repealed.

SEC. 303. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE 
              PROGRAM AND RELATED PROVISIONS.

    (a) Authority To Serve Former Foster Youth Up To Age 23.--Section 
477 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 677) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(5), by inserting ``(or 23 years of 
        age, in the case of a State with a certification under 
        subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii) to provide assistance and services to 
        youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained 
        such age, in accordance with such subsection)'' after ``21 
        years of age'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(3)(A)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``A 
                certification'';
                    (B) by striking ``children who have left foster 
                care'' and all that follows through the period and 
                inserting ``youths who have aged out of foster care and 
                have not attained 21 years of age.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(ii) If the State has elected under section 
                475(8)(B) to extend eligibility for foster care to all 
                children who have not attained 21 years of age, or if 
                the Secretary determines that the State agency 
                responsible for administering the State plans under 
                this part and part B uses State funds or any other 
                funds not provided under this part to provide services 
                and assistance for youths who have aged out of foster 
                care that are comparable to the services and assistance 
                the youths would receive if the State had made such an 
                election, the certification required under clause (i) 
                may provide that the State will provide assistance and 
                services to youths who have aged out of foster care and 
                have not attained 23 years of age.''; and
            (3) in subsection (b)(3)(B), by striking ``children who 
        have left foster care'' and all that follows through the period 
        and inserting ``youths who have aged out of foster care and 
        have not attained 21 years of age (or 23 years of age, in the 
        case of a State with a certification under subparagraph (A)(i) 
        to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out 
        of foster care and have not attained such age, in accordance 
        with subparagraph (A)(ii)).''.
    (b) Authority To Redistribute Unspent Funds.--Section 477(d) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 677(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``or does not expend 
        allocated funds within the time period specified under section 
        477(d)(3)'' after ``provided by the Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Redistribution of unexpended amounts.--
                    ``(A) Availability of amounts.--To the extent that 
                amounts paid to States under this section in a fiscal 
                year remain unexpended by the States at the end of the 
                succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary may make the 
                amounts available for redistribution in the second 
                succeeding fiscal year among the States that apply for 
                additional funds under this section for that second 
                succeeding fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Redistribution.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        redistribute the amounts made available under 
                        subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year among 
                        eligible applicant States. In this 
                        subparagraph, the term `eligible applicant 
                        State' means a State that has applied for 
                        additional funds for the fiscal year under 
                        subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines 
                        that the State will use the funds for the 
                        purpose for which originally allotted under 
                        this section.
                            ``(ii) Amount to be redistributed.--The 
                        amount to be redistributed to each eligible 
                        applicant State shall be the amount so made 
                        available multiplied by the State foster care 
                        ratio (as defined in subsection (c)(4), except 
                        that, in such subsection, `all eligible 
                        applicant States (as defined in subsection 
                        (d)(5)(B)(i))' shall be substituted for `all 
                        States').
                            ``(iii) Treatment of redistributed 
                        amount.--Any amount made available to a State 
                        under this paragraph shall be regarded as part 
                        of the allotment of the State under this 
                        section for the fiscal year in which the 
                        redistribution is made.
                    ``(C) Tribes.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
                term `State' includes an Indian tribe, tribal 
                organization, or tribal consortium that receives an 
                allotment under this section.''.
    (c) Expanding and Clarifying the Use of Education and Training 
Vouchers.--
            (1) In general.--Section 477(i)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
        677(i)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``on the date'' and all that 
                follows through ``23'' and inserting ``to remain 
                eligible until they attain 26''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, but in no event may a youth 
                participate in the program for more than 5 years 
                (whether or not consecutive)'' before the period.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 477(i)(1) of such Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 677(i)(1)) is amended by inserting ``who have 
        attained 14 years of age'' before the period.
    (d) Other Improvements.--Section 477 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 677), 
as amended by subsections (a), (b), and (c), is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``independence 
        program'' and inserting ``program for successful transition to 
        adulthood'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``identify children who are 
                        likely to remain in foster care until 18 years 
                        of age and to help these children make the 
                        transition to self-sufficiency by providing 
                        services'' and inserting ``support all youth 
                        who have experienced foster care at age 14 or 
                        older in their transition to adulthood through 
                        transitional services'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``and post-secondary 
                        education'' after ``high school diploma''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``training in daily 
                        living skills, training in budgeting and 
                        financial management skills'' and inserting 
                        ``training and opportunities to practice daily 
                        living skills (such as financial literacy 
                        training and driving instruction)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``who are likely 
                to remain in foster care until 18 years of age receive 
                the education, training, and services necessary to 
                obtain employment'' and inserting ``who have 
                experienced foster care at age 14 or older achieve 
                meaningful, permanent connections with a caring 
                adult'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``who are likely 
                to remain in foster care until 18 years of age prepare 
                for and enter postsecondary training and education 
                institutions'' and inserting ``who have experienced 
                foster care at age 14 or older engage in age or 
                developmentally appropriate activities, positive youth 
                development, and experiential learning that reflects 
                what their peers in intact families experience''; and
                    (D) by striking paragraph (4) and redesignating 
                paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (4) through 
                (7);
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking 
                ``adolescents'' and inserting ``youth''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (D)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``including 
                                training on youth development'' after 
                                ``to provide training''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``adolescents 
                                preparing for independent living'' and 
                                all that follows through the period and 
                                inserting ``youth preparing for a 
                                successful transition to adulthood and 
                                making a permanent connection with a 
                                caring adult.'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (H), by striking 
                        ``adolescents'' each place it appears and 
                        inserting ``youth''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (K)--
                                    (I) by striking ``an adolescent'' 
                                and inserting ``a youth''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``the adolescent'' 
                                each place it appears and inserting 
                                ``the youth''; and
            (4) in subsection (f), by striking paragraph (2) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than October 1, 2017, 
        the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means 
        of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of 
        the Senate a report on the National Youth in Transition 
        Database and any other databases in which States report outcome 
        measures relating to children in foster care and children who 
        have aged out of foster care or left foster care for kinship 
        guardianship or adoption. The report shall include the 
        following:
                    ``(A) A description of the reasons for entry into 
                foster care and of the foster care experiences, such as 
                length of stay, number of placement settings, case 
                goal, and discharge reason of 17-year-olds who are 
                surveyed by the National Youth in Transition Database 
                and an analysis of the comparison of that description 
                with the reasons for entry and foster care experiences 
                of children of other ages who exit from foster care 
                before attaining age 17.
                    ``(B) A description of the characteristics of the 
                individuals who report poor outcomes at ages 19 and 21 
                to the National Youth in Transition Database.
                    ``(C) Benchmarks for determining what constitutes a 
                poor outcome for youth who remain in or have exited 
                from foster care and plans the executive branch will 
                take to incorporate these benchmarks in efforts to 
                evaluate child welfare agency performance in providing 
                services to children transitioning from foster care.
                    ``(D) An analysis of the association between types 
                of placement, number of overall placements, time spent 
                in foster care, and other factors, and outcomes at ages 
                19 and 21.
                    ``(E) An analysis of the differences in outcomes 
                for children in and formerly in foster care at age 19 
                and 21 among States.''.
    (e) Clarifying Documentation Provided to Foster Youth Leaving 
Foster Care.--Section 475(5)(I) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 675(5)(I)) is 
amended by inserting after ``REAL ID Act of 2005'' the following: ``, 
and any official documentation necessary to prove that the child was 
previously in foster care''.

TITLE IV--CONTINUING INCENTIVES TO STATES TO PROMOTE ADOPTION AND LEGAL 
                              GUARDIANSHIP

SEC. 401. REAUTHORIZING ADOPTION AND LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP INCENTIVE 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 473A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673b) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``2013 through 2015'' 
        and inserting ``2016 through 2020'';
            (2) in subsection (h)(1)(D), by striking ``2016'' and 
        inserting ``2021''; and
            (3) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``2016'' and 
        inserting ``2021''.

                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

SEC. 501. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDS TO IMPROVE 
              PROGRAM COORDINATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 440 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
629m) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 440. DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDS FOR IMPROVED INTEROPERABILITY.

    ``(a) Designation.--The Secretary shall, in consultation with an 
interagency work group established by the Office of Management and 
Budget and considering State government perspectives, by rule, 
designate data exchange standards to govern, under this part--
            ``(1) necessary categories of information that State 
        agencies operating programs under State plans approved under 
        this part are required under applicable Federal law to 
        electronically exchange with another State agency; and
            ``(2) Federal reporting and data exchange required under 
        applicable Federal law.
    ``(b) Requirements.--The data exchange standards required by 
paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable--
            ``(1) incorporate a widely accepted, non-proprietary, 
        searchable, computer-readable format, such as the eXtensible 
        Markup Language;
            ``(2) contain interoperable standards developed and 
        maintained by intergovernmental partnerships, such as the 
        National Information Exchange Model;
            ``(3) incorporate interoperable standards developed and 
        maintained by Federal entities with authority over contracting 
        and financial assistance;
            ``(4) be consistent with and implement applicable 
        accounting principles;
            ``(5) be implemented in a manner that is cost-effective and 
        improves program efficiency and effectiveness; and
            ``(6) be capable of being continually upgraded as 
        necessary.
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
construed to require a change to existing data exchange standards found 
to be effective and efficient.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Not later than the date that is 24 months 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services shall issue a proposed rule that--
            (1) identifies federally required data exchanges, includes 
        specification and timing of exchanges to be standardized, and 
        addresses the factors used in determining whether and when to 
        standardize data exchanges; and
            (2) specifies State implementation options and describes 
        future milestones.

SEC. 502. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO STATE REQUIREMENT TO ADDRESS THE 
              DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN.

    Section 422(b)(18) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
622(b)(18)) is amended by striking ``such children'' and inserting 
``all vulnerable children under 5 years of age''.

 TITLE VI--ENSURING STATES REINVEST SAVINGS RESULTING FROM INCREASE IN 
                          ADOPTION ASSISTANCE

SEC. 601. DELAY OF ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PHASE-IN.

    Section 473(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 673(e)(1)) 
is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``fiscal year'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``period''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding the table, by striking 
                ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``period''; and
                    (B) in the table--
                            (i) by striking ``of fiscal year:'' and 
                        inserting ``of:'';
                            (ii) by striking ``2010'' and inserting 
                        ``Fiscal year 2010'';
                            (iii) by striking ``2011'' and inserting 
                        ``Fiscal year 2011'';
                            (iv) by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
                        ``Fiscal year 2012'';
                            (v) by striking ``2013'' and inserting 
                        ``Fiscal year 2013'';
                            (vi) by striking ``2014'' and inserting 
                        ``Fiscal year 2014'';
                            (vii) by striking ``2015'' and inserting 
                        ``Fiscal year 2015'';
                            (viii) by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
                        ``October 1, 2015, through March 31, 2019'';
                            (ix) by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
                        ``April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020''; and
                            (x) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                        ``April 1, 2020,''.

SEC. 602. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON STATE REINVESTMENT OF SAVINGS 
              RESULTING FROM INCREASE IN ADOPTION ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
study the extent to which States are complying with the requirements of 
section 473(a)(8) of the Social Security Act relating to the effects of 
phasing out the AFDC income eligibility requirements for adoption 
assistance payments under section 473 of the Social Security Act, as 
enacted by section 402 of the Fostering Connections to Success and 
Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-351; 122 Stat. 3975) 
and amended by section 206 of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and 
Strengthening Families Act (Public Law 113-183; 128 Stat. 1919). In 
particular, the Comptroller General shall analyze the extent to which 
States are complying with the following requirements under section 
473(a)(8)(D) of the Social Security Act:
            (1) The requirement to spend an amount equal to the amount 
        of the savings (if any) in State expenditures under part E of 
        title IV of the Social Security resulting from phasing out the 
        AFDC income eligibility requirements for adoption assistance 
        payments under section 473 of such Act to provide to children 
        of families any service that may be provided under part B or E 
        of title IV of such Act.
            (2) The requirement that a State shall spend not less than 
        30 percent of the amount of any savings described in 
        subparagraph (A) on post-adoption services, post-guardianship 
        services, and services to support and sustain positive 
        permanent outcomes for children who otherwise might enter into 
        foster care under the responsibility of the State, with at 
        least \2/3\ of the spending by the State to comply with the 30-
        percent requirement being spent on post-adoption and post-
        guardianship services.
    (b) Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Ways 
and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services a report that contains the results of the study 
required by subsection (a), including recommendations to ensure 
compliance with laws referred to in subsection (a).
                                 <all>