Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act

Bill: 115-hr-2866
Sponsor: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child safety and welfare
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
 
Reducing Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act

 
 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify reputable model standards for the licensing of foster family homes.
 
Part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act is amended to require state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to require submission to HHS of information addressing:
 
 
whether the state licensing standards are in accord with HHS-identified model standards, and if not, the reason for the specific deviation and a description of why having a standard that is reasonably in accord with the corresponding national model standards is not appropriate for the state;
 
whether the state has elected to waive certain standards for relative foster family homes, a description of standards most commonly waived, and if the state has not so elected, the reason why;
 
if the state has elected to waive such standards, how caseworkers are trained to use the waiver authority and whether the state has developed a process or offered tools to assist caseworkers in waiving nonsafety standards to quickly place children with relatives; and
 
a description of the steps the state is taking to improve caseworker training or the process, if any. 
 

action_date: 2017-06-20
text: 

Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify reputable model standards for the licensing of foster family homes.
 
Part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act is amended to require state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to require submission to HHS of information addressing:
 
 
whether the state licensing standards are in accord with HHS-identified model standards, and if not, the reason for the specific deviation and a description of why having a standard that is reasonably in accord with the corresponding national model standards is not appropriate for the state;
 
whether the state has elected to waive certain standards for relative foster family homes, a description of standards most commonly waived, and if the state has not so elected, the reason why;
 
if the state has elected to waive such standards, how caseworkers are trained to use the waiver authority and whether the state has developed a process or offered tools to assist caseworkers in waiving nonsafety standards to quickly place children with relatives; and
 
a description of the steps the state is taking to improve caseworker training or the process, if any. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-21
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 - 19 (Roll no. 310). (text: CR H4955)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 - 19 (Roll no. 310).(text: CR H4955)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4979)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2866.
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4955-4958)
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Mr. Kelly (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House