H.R. 8813

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8813 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8813

To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to 
address child welfare involvement caused by poverty, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 25, 2024

Mr. Smith of Missouri (for himself and Ms. Moore of Wisconsin) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to 
address child welfare involvement caused by poverty, 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 ``Preventing Child Welfare Entry 
Caused by Poverty Act''.

SEC. 2. MARYLEE ALLEN PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM.

(a) Family Preservation Services.--Section 431(a)(1) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629a(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' after the 
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and 
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(G)(i) services providing nonrecurring short term 
benefits (including supports related to housing 
instability, utilities, transportation, and food 
assistance, among other basic needs) that address 
immediate needs related to a specific crisis, 
situation, or event affecting the ability of a child to 
remain in a home established for the child that is not 
intended to meet an ongoing need; and
``(ii) for purposes of this subpart, an expenditure 
for a service described in clause (i) may be treated as 
an expenditure for any 1 or more of family support 
services, family preservation services, family 
reunification services, or adoption promotion and 
support services.''.
(b) State Plan Requirements.--Section 432(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
629b(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the 
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting 
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) provides a description of policies in place, 
including training for employees, to address child welfare 
reports and investigations concerning the living arrangements 
or subsistence needs of a child with the goal to prevent the 
separation of a child from a parent of the child solely due to 
poverty, to ensure access to services described in section 
431(a)(1)(G).''.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) In General.--The amendments made by this Act shall take effect 
on the 1st day of the 1st fiscal year beginning on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and shall apply to payments made under 
subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar 
quarters beginning on or after such date.
(b) Delay Permitted if State Legislation Is Required.--If the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State 
legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in 
order for any State plan approved under subpart 2 of part B of title IV 
of the Social Security Act to meet the additional requirements imposed 
by the amendments made by this Act, the plan shall not be regarded as 
failing to meet any of the additional requirements before the 1st day 
of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the 1st regular session of 
the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of 
this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the State has a 2-
year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a 
separate regular session of the State legislature.
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