Title: Grandfamilies Act of 2019
Policy area: Families

Summary:
Grandfamilies Act of 2019  This bill expands access to specified programs for children living with grandparents or other family members who are not their legal guardian. Specifically, the bill provides that a child of a relative eligible for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits is eligible for such benefit payments if that child (1) began living with such relative before age 18, (2) receives at least 50% of their support from such relative, and (3) has lived with such relative pursuant to a court order for at least 12 months.  Additionally, the bill revises the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements for children living with specified caretaker relatives. First, the bill lessens the requirement for TANF applicants to assign their rights to child support when such assignment may impact the likelihood of reunifying the child with their noncustodial parent, such as where the noncustodial parent is working to gain financial stability so they may reunify with their child. Further, when a child, but not the caretaker relative, receives TANF benefits (i.e., child-only cases), or if the caretaker relative is 55 or older, the bill (1) excludes such caretaker’s income from that child’s eligibility determination, (2) removes the 5-year cap on assistance, and (3) exempts such caretaker relatives from TANF work requirements.  The bill also (1) encourages states to enact temporary guardianship laws, (2) establishes the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies, and (3) provides grants supporting caretaker relatives.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1660 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1660

   To provide greater support for grandfamilies and older caretaker 
                               relatives.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                 May 23 (legislative day, May 22), 2019

 Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Brown, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Hassan, and Mrs. 
  Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
                  referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To provide greater support for grandfamilies and older caretaker 
                               relatives.

    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 ``Grandfamilies Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. INCREASING ACCESS TO SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN WHO 
              LIVE WITH GRANDPARENTS OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 
et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 202(d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except as 
                provided in paragraph (9),'' before ``was dependent''; 
                and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (9) to read as follows:
    ``(9)(A) In the case of a child who is the child of an individual 
under clause (3) of the first sentence of section 216(e) and is not a 
child of such individual under clause (1) or (2) of such first 
sentence, the criteria specified in subparagraph (B) shall apply 
instead of the criteria specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1).
    ``(B) The criteria of this subparagraph are that--
            ``(i) the child has been living with such individual in the 
        United States for a period of not less than 12 months;
            ``(ii) the child has been receiving not less than \1/2\ of 
        the child's support from such individual for a period of not 
        less than 12 months; and
            ``(iii) the period during which the child was living with 
        such individual began before the child attained age 18.
    ``(C) In the case of a child who is less than 12 months old, such 
child shall be deemed to meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) if, 
on the date the child attains 1 year of age, such child has lived with 
such individual in the United States and received at least \1/2\ of the 
child's support from such individual for substantially all of the 
period which began on the date of such child's birth.''; and
            (2) in section 216(e), in the first sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``grandchild or stepgrandchild of 
                an individual or his spouse'' and inserting 
                ``grandchild, stepgrandchild, or other first-degree, 
                second-degree, third-degree, fourth-degree, or fifth-
                degree relative of an individual or the individual's 
                spouse'';
                    (B) by striking ``was no natural or adoptive 
                parent'' and inserting ``is no living natural or 
                adoptive parent'';
                    (C) by striking ``was under a disability'' and 
                inserting ``is under a disability'';
                    (D) by striking ``living at the time'' and all that 
                follows through ``, or (B)'' and inserting ``, (B)''; 
                and
                    (E) by inserting ``, or (C) the person has been in 
                the custody of such individual pursuant to a court 
                order for a period of not less than 12 months'' before 
                the first period.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 202(d)(1) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402(d)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)'' and 
        inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and (B) and subparagraph (C) or 
        paragraph (9) (as applicable)''; and
            (2) by striking ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)'' and inserting 
        ``subparagraph (B) and subparagraph (C) or paragraph (9) (as 
        applicable)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO TANF FOR CHILDREN AND OLDER CARETAKER 
              RELATIVES.

    (a) Broadening Good Cause Exception to Requirement To Provide 
Information on Noncustodial Parents.--Section 454(29)(A)(i) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 654(29)(A)(i)) is amended by striking 
``best interests of the child'' and inserting ``best interests of the 
child, including, if enforcement procedures against a non-custodial 
parent of the child are initiated, whether such procedures will impede 
the parent's ability to reunify with the child in the future''.
    (b) Disregard of Nonparent Caretaker Relative Income, Assets, and 
Resources in Child-Only Cases.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new paragraph:
            ``(13) Disregard of income, assets, and resources for 
        nonparent caretaker relatives in child-only cases.--
                    ``(A) In general.--With respect to a minor child 
                who does not reside in the same household as a parent 
                of the child, a State to which a grant is made under 
                section 403 shall not take into account the income, 
                assets, or resources of such child's nonparent 
                caretaker relative who is not seeking assistance under 
                the State program funded under this part or any other 
                State program funded with qualified State expenditures 
                (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on their own 
                behalf in determining whether the child is eligible for 
                assistance under any such program, or in determining 
                the amount or types of such assistance to be provided 
                to the child.
                    ``(B) Exception.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
                in the case of a State program--
                            ``(i) that is operated specifically for 
                        children living with nonparent caretaker 
                        relatives;
                            ``(ii) that provides monthly financial 
                        assistance to a child living with a nonparent 
                        caretaker relative in an amount that is greater 
                        than the amount of assistance that the child 
                        would receive on the child's own behalf under 
                        the State program funded under this part;
                            ``(iii) that is separate from the State 
                        program funded under this part; and
                            ``(iv) that is described in the State plan 
                        submitted under section 402.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(17) Penalty for failure to disregard income, assets, and 
        resources of nonparent caretaker relative in child-only 
        cases.--If the Secretary determines that a State to which a 
        grant is made under section 403 in a fiscal year has violated 
        section 408(a)(13) during the fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
        reduce the grant payable to the State under section 403(a)(1) 
        for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal 
        to 3 percent of the State family assistance grant.''.
    (c) Eliminating 5-Year Cap on Assistance in Child-Only Cases.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a)(7) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) No limit for child-only cases.--A State shall 
                not limit the number of months of assistance under the 
                State program funded under this part or any other State 
                program funded with qualified State expenditures (as 
                defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) for a family in 
                which all adults in the family--
                            ``(i) are nonparent caretaker relatives of 
                        a child who does not reside in the same 
                        household of the parent of the child; and
                            ``(ii) do not receive assistance under the 
                        State program funded under this part or any 
                        other State program funded with qualified 
                        expenditures (as defined in section 
                        409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on their own behalf.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``(other than 
                subparagraph (H))'' after ``section 408(a)(7)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(18) Penalty for failure to comply with 5-year cap 
        exemptions.--If the Secretary determines that a State to which 
        a grant is made under section 403 in a fiscal year has violated 
        subparagraph (H) of section 408(a)(7) during the fiscal year, 
        the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the State under 
        section 403(a)(1) for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by 
        an amount equal to 3 percent of the State family assistance 
        grant''.
    (d) Exemption From Work Requirements for Nonparent Caretaker 
Relatives in Child-Only Cases.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408 of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 608) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(h) State Required To Exempt Nonparent Caretaker Relatives From 
Work Participation in Child-Only Cases.--A State shall not require an 
individual to engage in work if the individual--
            ``(1) is the nonparent caretaker relative of a child who 
        does not reside in the same household as a parent of the child; 
        and
            ``(2) resides in a household in which no adult receives 
        assistance under the State program funded under this part or 
        any other State program funded with qualified expenditures (as 
        defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) on their own behalf.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(19) Penalty for failure to comply with work 
        participation exemptions.--If the Secretary determines that a 
        State to which a grant is made under section 403 in a fiscal 
        year has violated subsection (h) of section 408 during the 
        fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to 
        the State under section 403(a)(1) for the immediately 
        succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to 3 percent of the 
        State family assistance grant.''.
    (e) Eliminating 5-Year Cap on Assistance for Older Caretaker 
Relatives.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a)(7) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(7)), as amended by subsection (c)(1), is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(I) Non-application of limit to older caretaker 
                relatives.--
                            ``(i) No limit for older caretaker 
                        relatives.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
                        and a State shall not limit the number of 
                        months of assistance under the State program 
                        funded under this part or any other State 
                        program funded with qualified State 
                        expenditures (as defined in section 
                        409(a)(7)(B)(i)) based on receipt of such 
                        assistance by an individual who is an older 
                        caretaker relative (as defined for purposes of 
                        paragraph (14)).
                            ``(ii) Disregard of months of assistance 
                        .--In determining the number of months for 
                        which a family that includes an adult who has 
                        received assistance under the State program 
                        funded under this part or any other State 
                        program funded with qualified State 
                        expenditures (as defined in section 
                        409(a)(7)(B)(i)), the State shall disregard any 
                        month for which such assistance was provided 
                        with respect to the family during which such 
                        adult was an older caretaker relative (as 
                        defined for purposes of paragraph (14)).''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``or (I)'' after 
                ``subparagraph (H)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (18), by inserting ``or (I)'' 
                after ``subparagraph (H)''.
    (f) Exemption From Work Requirements for Older Caretaker 
Relatives.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408 of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 608), by subsection (d)(1), is amended by adding at the 
        end the following new subsection:
    ``(i) State Required To Exempt Older Caretaker Relatives From Work 
Participation Where Caretaker Receives Assistance.--A State shall not 
require an individual to engage in work, and, at the option of the 
State and on a case-by-case basis, may disregard such individual in 
determining the participation rates under section 407(a), if the 
individual--
            ``(1) is an older caretaker relative (as defined for 
        purposes of subsection (a)(14)); and
            ``(2) directly receives assistance on the individual's own 
        behalf under the State program funded under this part or any 
        other State program funded with qualified expenditures (as 
        defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)).''.
            (2) Penalty.--Paragraph (18) of section 409(a) of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)), as added by subsection 
        (d)(2), is amended by inserting ``or (i)'' after ``subsection 
        (h)''.
            (3) Conforming amendments.--402(a)(1)(A) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by inserting ``and subject to 
                subsection (h) and (i) of section 408'' before the 
                period; and
                    (B) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and subject to 
                subsection (h) and (i) of section 408'' before the 
                period.
    (g) Disregard of Income, Assets, and Resources for Older Caretaker 
Relatives.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 608(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(14) Disregard of income, assets, and resources for older 
        caretaker relatives.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In determining the eligibility 
                for, and amount of, assistance under the State program 
                funded under this part or any other State program 
                funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in 
                section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)) for a family that includes an 
                individual who is an older caretaker relative (as 
                defined in subparagraph (B)), a State to which a grant 
                is made under section 403 shall not take into account 
                the income, assets, or resources of that individual.
                    ``(B) Definition.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For purposes of this 
                        paragraph, the term `older caretaker relative' 
                        means an individual who--
                                    ``(I) subject to clause (ii), has 
                                attained age 55; and
                                    ``(II) is the primary caretaker for 
                                a minor child who--
                                            ``(aa) is living with the 
                                        individual;
                                            ``(bb) does not have a 
                                        parent living in the home; and
                                            ``(cc) is a relative of the 
                                        individual.
                            ``(ii) State option to modify age 
                        criterion.--At the option of a State, such term 
                        shall include an individual who has not 
                        attained age 55.
                            ``(iii) Determination to be made by 
                        state.--The determination of whether an 
                        individual meets the criteria described in 
                        clause (i)(II) shall be made by the State.''.
            (2) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 609(a)), as previously amended by this section, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(20) Penalty for failure to disregard income, assets, and 
        resources for older caretaker relatives.--If the Secretary 
        determines that a State to which a grant is made under section 
        403 in a fiscal year has violated section 408(a)(14) during the 
        fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the grant payable to 
        the State under section 403(a)(1) for the immediately 
        succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to 3 percent of the 
        State family assistance grant.''.
    (h) Ensuring Equitable Treatment for Older Caretaker Relatives 
Under TANF.--
            (1) State notifications to older caretaker relatives of 
        child tanf recipients.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 408(a) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)), as previously amended 
                by this section, is amended by adding at the end the 
                following:
            ``(15) State requirements regarding notice to relative 
        caretakers.--A State to which a grant is made under section 403 
        shall--
                    ``(A) ensure that the State agency responsible for 
                administering the State program funded under this part 
                employs a resource employee who is trained to provide 
                guidance to an older caretaker relative of a minor 
                child if the child is a recipient of assistance under 
                the program (or under a State program funded with 
                qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 
                409(a)(7)(B)(i))), on legal options regarding custody 
                and guardianship of the child, including explaining to 
                the relative caretaker how each legal option 
                corresponds to the availability of benefits and 
                services, and who serves as a liaison with other 
                agencies and community organizations that provide 
                resources and assistance to relative caretakers; and
                    ``(B) ensure that the State agency provides to any 
                older caretaker relative of a minor child if the child 
                is a recipient of assistance under the State program 
                funded under this part (or under a State program funded 
                with qualified State expenditures (as defined in 
                section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))), written notice that--
                            ``(i) explains the options of the older 
                        caretaker relative under Federal, State, and 
                        local law to participate in the care and 
                        placement of the child, including the financial 
                        ramifications of the options and any options 
                        that may be lost by choosing certain benefits;
                            ``(ii) describes the requirements under 
                        section 471(a)(10) to become a foster family 
                        home and the additional services and supports 
                        that are available for a child placed in such a 
                        home;
                            ``(iii) if the State has elected the option 
                        to make guardianship assistance payments under 
                        section 471(a)(28), describes how the relative 
                        caretaker may enter into an agreement with the 
                        State to receive the payments;
                            ``(iv) describes policies under the State 
                        program funded under this part that are 
                        designed to help older caretaker relatives, 
                        including income, asset, and resource 
                        exemptions in determining program eligibility, 
                        `good cause' exemptions to child support 
                        enforcement policies, and work requirement 
                        exemptions;
                            ``(v) provides direct contact information 
                        for other agencies and community organizations 
                        that provide resources and assistance, such as 
                        housing, supplemental nutrition assistance, 
                        health care, and child care; and
                            ``(vi) provides direct contact information 
                        for the resource employee described in 
                        subparagraph (A).''.
                    (B) Inclusion in state plan.--Section 402(a)(1)(B) 
                of such Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(B)) is amended by 
                adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vi) The document shall provide a 
                        detailed explanation of how the State intends 
                        to comply with section 408(a)(15).''.
                    (C) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                609(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(21) Failure to notify relative caretakers.--If the 
        Secretary determines that a State to which a grant is made 
        under section 403 for a fiscal year has violated section 
        408(a)(15) during the fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce 
        the grant payable to the State under section 403(a)(1) for the 
        immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to 4 
        percent of the grant.''.
            (2) State treatment of relative caretakers of child tanf 
        recipients.--Section 402(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 602(a)), as amended by paragraph (2)(B), is further 
        amended by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) The document shall provide a 
                        detailed explanation of the State's treatment 
                        of older caretaker relatives of minor children, 
                        in cases in which the child is a recipient of 
                        assistance under the State program funded under 
                        this part (or under a State program funded with 
                        qualified State expenditures (as defined in 
                        section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))), including--
                                    ``(I) information regarding how the 
                                State defines terms such as `relative', 
                                `fictive kin', and `caretaker';
                                    ``(II) a description of the 
                                training received by caseworkers of the 
                                State agency responsible for 
                                administering the program in relation 
                                to older caretaker relatives of minor 
                                children, in cases in which the child 
                                is such a recipient;
                                    ``(III) an explanation of the ways 
                                in which assistance available under the 
                                program to an older relative caretaker 
                                of a minor child is affected by the 
                                temporary presence in the home of a 
                                biological parent of the child; and
                                    ``(IV) an explanation of how 
                                benefits are adjusted for older 
                                caretaker relatives including income, 
                                asset, and resource exemptions in 
                                determining program eligibility, `good 
                                cause' exemptions to child support 
                                enforcement policies, and work 
                                requirement exemptions.''.
            (3) Enhanced data reporting.--Section 411(a)(7) of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(7)) is amended by adding 
        at the end the following: ``The Secretary shall also prescribe 
        regulations to improve the reporting of data on the economic 
        well-being and circumstances of families with older relative 
        caretakers of minor children, including, to the extent 
        practicable, information relating to--
                    ``(A) all adults in the family, including whether 
                or not such adults are recipients of assistance under 
                the State program funded under this part (or under a 
                State program funded with qualified State expenditures 
                (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)));
                    ``(B) all minor children in the family, including 
                whether any such minor child--
                            ``(i) is required to be included in the 
                        foster care reporting population for purposes 
                        of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis 
                        Reporting System (AFCARS) established pursuant 
                        to section 479; or
                            ``(ii) is not required to be so included in 
                        such foster care reporting population, but--
                                    ``(I) is receiving services in the 
                                home of the relative caretaker that are 
                                supervised or administered by the State 
                                agency responsible for administering 
                                the State plan approved under part B;
                                    ``(II) was placed with the relative 
                                caretaker to prevent the need for 
                                foster care as a result of an 
                                intervention on behalf of the child 
                                which was carried out or supervised by 
                                the State agency administering the 
                                State plans under parts B and E; or
                                    ``(III) was placed with the 
                                relative caretaker upon formal 
                                discharge from the care and placement 
                                responsibility of the State agency 
                                administering the plans under part B or 
                                E;
                            ``(iii) all families who applied for a 
                        good-cause exemption to the State's child 
                        enforcement cooperation policies; and
                            ``(iv) all families who received a good-
                        cause exemption to the State's child 
                        enforcement cooperation policies.''.
    (i) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first 
        day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Delay permitted.--
                    (A) In general.--Before the date described in 
                subparagraph (B), a State plan under title IV of the 
                Social Security Act shall not be regarded as failing to 
                comply with an additional requirement imposed on the 
                plan by this section if the Secretary of Health and 
                Human Services determines that such additional 
                requirement--
                            (i) requires State legislation (other than 
                        legislation appropriating funds) in order for 
                        the plan to meet such additional requirement; 
                        or
                            (ii) could not practicably be met by the 
                        plan before such date.
                    (B) Date described.--For purposes of subparagraph 
                (A), the date described in this subparagraph is, with 
                respect to a State, 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 section. For purposes of the 
                previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-
                year legislative session, each year of such session 
                shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the 
                State legislature.

SEC. 4. IMPROVING THE COLLECTION OF CHILD SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES 
              RECEIVING TANF ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 454 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
654) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (30) through (34) as 
        paragraphs (31) through (35), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (29) the following:
            ``(30) include a description of--
                    ``(A) the methods used by the State to determine 
                whether an individual who has applied for or is 
                receiving assistance under the State program funded 
                under part A, the State program under part E, the State 
                program under title XIX, or the supplemental nutrition 
                assistance program, as defined under section 3(h) of 
                the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(h)), 
                is cooperating in good faith with the State in 
                establishing paternity or in establishing, modifying, 
                or enforcing a support order, as provided in paragraph 
                (29);
                    ``(B) the State's process for determining in a 
                timely manner whether such an individual satisfies the 
                cooperation requirement described in subparagraph (A) 
                due to the individual's participation in another State 
                or Federal assistance program;
                    ``(C) the good cause or other exceptions to the 
                cooperation requirement that the State recognizes, 
                including an explanation of any special requirements or 
                considerations for an older relative caretaker seeking 
                to apply for such an exception; and
                    ``(D) how the State makes clear to an individual 
                who has applied for or is receiving assistance under a 
                program referred to in subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) what, if anything, the individual 
                        needs to do in order to satisfy the cooperation 
                        requirement, including explaining to the 
                        individual how the individual might satisfy the 
                        requirement through participation in another 
                        State or Federal assistance program;
                            ``(ii) the effect on the individual's 
                        eligibility to receive assistance under a 
                        program referred to in subparagraph (A), and 
                        under other State or Federal assistance 
                        programs, if the individual fails to satisfy 
                        the cooperation requirement; and
                            ``(iii) the good cause or other exceptions 
                        to the cooperation requirement for which the 
                        individual may be eligible, including the 
                        standard of proof required to qualify for each 
                        exception and an explanation of any special 
                        requirements or considerations for older 
                        caretaker relatives;''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 452(k)(1), by striking ``section 454(31)'' 
        and inserting ``section 454(32)''; and
            (2) in section 454, in the matter following paragraph (35) 
        (as redesignated by subsection (a)) by striking ``paragraph 
        (33)'' and inserting ``paragraph (34)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. ENCOURAGING STATES TO ADOPT TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Section 474(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 674(a)(7)) is amended by inserting ``(or, in the case of a State 
that has in effect for the quarter a temporary guardianship law (as 
defined in section 475(14)), 75 percent)'' after ``50 percent''.
    (b) Definition.--Section 475 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
675) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(14)(A) The term `temporary guardianship law' means a State law 
that allows for the establishment, by operation of such law and through 
an easily navigable simple civil process, of a relationship between a 
child and a nonparent caretaker who has taken responsibility for caring 
for the child in the absence of the child's parents in which some of 
the parental rights with respect to the child are transferred to the 
caretaker for a specified period of time which may be extended or 
renewed, except that the total period of time for which such rights are 
transferred to the caretaker (including any extensions or renewals) 
shall not exceed a maximum period of time (as established by the 
State).
    ``(B) Under the process established under a law described in 
subparagraph (A)--
            ``(i) court fees shall be waived or reduced; and
            ``(ii) any court forms or filings related to the process 
        are easy enough to understand that a nonparent caretaker who 
        has taken responsibility for caring for the child in the 
        absence of the child's parents could reasonably complete such 
        forms or filings without legal assistance.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the 
date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. GUIDANCE.

    (a) Guidance to States on Ensuring Awareness of Child Welfare 
System Among Kinship Caregivers.--Not later than the first day of the 
first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance to 
States on ways to ensure that kinship caregivers who receive assistance 
under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or any other State program funded 
with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 
409(a)(7)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i))) are--
            (1) provided with information about any appropriate 
        assistance and services available to them through the child 
        welfare system of the State, including eligibility for foster 
        care licensure and pathways to guardianship assitance programs 
        or adoption subsidies, and how to access such assistance and 
        services; and
            (2) referred to any kinship navigator program operated by 
        the State.
    (b) Guidance on Coordinating Assistance for Caregivers.--Not later 
than the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall issue guidance for States identifying options for State programs, 
including programs funded under title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), programs funded under the Older Americans Act of 
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), and other relevant programs that are 
jointly funded or administered by States and the Federal Government, to 
collaborate, coordinate, and streamline outreach to, and processing of 
applications of assistance, for grandparents and older relative 
caregivers or kinship caregivers caring for grandchildren and other 
relative children residing with them.

SEC. 7. GRANT PROGRAM FOR GRANDFAMILY HOUSING.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``grandfamily housing'' means housing units 
        dedicated to low-income--
                    (A) grandparents caring full-time for a grandchild; 
                or
                    (B) older relative caregivers caring full-time for 
                a relative child;
            (2) the term ``grandfamily resident service coordinator'' 
        means an individual who--
                    (A) is an employee or contractor of an owner of 
                grandfamily housing;
                    (B) assists grandparents and older relative 
                caregivers with the process of applying to and moving 
                into the grandfamily housing; and
                    (C) regularly--
                            (i) assesses the needs of the residents, on 
                        a collective and family basis, of the 
                        grandfamily housing; and
                            (ii) plans and executes grandfamily housing 
                        programming services based on the assessment 
                        described in clause (i);
            (3) the term ``low-income'' means income that does not 
        exceed 80 percent of the area median gross income;
            (4) the term ``owner of grandfamily housing'' means a 
        nonprofit or for-profit entity that develops, owns, or operates 
        grandfamily housing;
            (5) the term ``public housing'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
        (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)); and
            (6) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing 
        and Urban Development.
    (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program to 
provide grants to owners of grandfamily housing for grandfamily 
resident service coordinators to support housing programming services, 
equipment, and building structures of grandfamily housing.
    (c) Use of Funds.--A recipient of a grant under this section may 
use the funds--
            (1) to plan and execute grandfamily housing programming 
        services for families living in grandfamily housing;
            (2) to fund the salaries of grandfamily resident service 
        coordinators; and
            (3) for the construction and upkeep of spaces within 
        permanent building structures of grandfamily housing that are 
        used as a place to hold events and services for families living 
        in grandfamily housing and to carry out the requirement under 
        subsection (d).
    (d) Requirement.--As a condition of receiving a grant under this 
section, a recipient shall, through coordination with local kinship 
navigator programs, as established in section 474(a)(7) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 674(a)(7)), engage with the larger community of 
grandparents and older relative caretakers raising relative children by 
performing periodic informational outreach to and holding periodic 
events for grandfamilies living in the close geographical area to the 
grandfamily housing but not living in the building, with special 
attention given to grandparents and older relative caretakers who care 
for children and live in public housing.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

SEC. 8. STATE SUPPORT PLANS FOR GRANDPARENTS CARING FOR GRANDCHILDREN.

    (a) In General.--Not later than the first day of the first fiscal 
year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, from amounts 
appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall award grants to States for purposes of developing 
State support plans for grandparents caring for grandchildren and other 
relatives caring for relative children.
    (b) Requirements.--A State support plan for grandparents caring for 
grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children that is 
funded by a grant under this section shall include the following:
            (1) An initial assessment of the state of grandparents 
        caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for 
        relative children in the State.
            (2) A plan for how appropriate State agencies can 
        collaborate in their efforts to provide financial support, 
        housing services, and other services and supports to 
        grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives 
        caring for relative children.
            (3) Steps that the State proposes to take over the next 5 
        years to ensure that grandparents caring for grandchildren and 
        other relatives caring for relative children have necessary 
        resources.
            (4) A plan to simplify or combine application requirements 
        for State public assistance programs to reduce administrative 
        burdens on recipients, with a focus on families consisting of 
        grandparents or other older caretaker relatives raising 
        relative children.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out this section.

SEC. 9. NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER ON GRANDFAMILIES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than the first day of the first fiscal 
year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Administration for Community Living shall 
establish a National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies (in 
this section referred to as the ``Center'') to conduct the activities 
described in subsection (b).
    (b) Activities of Center.--The Center--
            (1) shall engage experienced experts to identify model 
        practices or programs, related to health, nutrition, housing, 
        and other related issues, to help serve children, parents, and 
        caregivers in grandfamilies;
            (2) may develop guidelines for States to encourage best 
        practices to support grandfamilies impacted by parental 
        substance use, including ways to help caregivers meet 
        children's health, development, and wellbeing needs (including 
        promotion of safe sleep practices), support birth parents' 
        access, engagement, and success in treatment, support birth 
        parents' formation of a healthy attachment with their children, 
        and promote positive parenting (including co-parenting support) 
        skills for both relative caregivers and birthparents; and
            (3) may facilitate learning across States and provide 
        technical assistance and resources to individuals and entities 
        that directly work with all 3 generations in grandfamilies.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section.
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