H.R. 5647

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5647 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5647

To amend subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to 
require States, as a condition of Federal support for child welfare 
services programs, to facilitate access to advocates and advocacy 
resources for parents in any child welfare case or interaction 
involving a child of the parent, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 30, 2025

Mr. Moore of Alabama introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend subpart 1 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to 
require States, as a condition of Federal support for child welfare 
services programs, to facilitate access to advocates and advocacy 
resources for parents in any child welfare case or interaction 
involving a child of the parent, 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 ``Advocates for Families Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 2. FAMILY ADVOCATES IN CHILD WELFARE CASES.

(a) State Plan Requirements.--Section 422(b) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 622(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (18), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(20) provide--
``(A) that the laws and procedures of the State 
shall permit any parent, foster parent, or legal 
guardian of a child to seek and receive the services of 
a family advocate, who shall have the authority to 
represent the interests and act on behalf of the 
parent, foster parent, or legal guardian, throughout 
any child welfare case or interaction involving the 
child, without obligating the State to pay or provide 
for the services;
``(B) that the State shall implement appropriate 
standards and rules governing the professional conduct 
of a family advocate;
``(C) how the State shall inform a parent, foster 
parent, or legal guardian of a child, from the 
commencement of any child welfare case or interaction 
involving the child, of the right to be represented by 
a family advocate and of any local resources available 
to obtain the representation; and
``(D) how the State shall inform the Secretary of--
``(i) the effect that honoring the right of 
every parent, foster parent, or legal guardian 
of a child to be represented by a family 
advocate has on the provision of child welfare 
services; and
``(ii) any recommendation of the State for 
ensuring that a parent, foster parent, or legal 
guardian of a child may exercise the right to 
be represented by a family advocate.''.
(b) Report to Congress on Family Advocates.--Subpart 1 of part B of 
title IV of such Act (42 U.S.C. 621-628d) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 429C. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON FAMILY ADVOCATES.

``Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and 
biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a written report with 
respect to the right of a parent, foster parent, or legal guardian of a 
child to be represented by a family advocate, based on the submissions 
of the States pursuant to section 422(b)(23), to--
``(1) the Committees on the Judiciary, on Education and the 
Workforce, and on Ways and Means of the House of 
Representatives; and
``(2) the Committees on the Judiciary, on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions, and on Finance of the 
Senate.''.
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