Sec. 4. Funding 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
608 words·~3 min read·
/bill/115/hr/2742/eh/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Section 437 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 629g ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 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. A State that seeks funding under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary the following information: A description of the goals and outcomes to be achieved, which goals and outcomes must result in— reducing the time it takes for a child to be provided with a safe and appropriate permanent living arrangement across State lines; improving administrative processes and reducing costs in the foster care system; and 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.
A description of the activities to be funded in whole or in part with the funds, including the sequencing of the activities. A description of the strategies for integrating programs and services for children who are placed across State lines. Such other information as the Secretary may require. The Secretary may provide funds to a State that complies with paragraph (2). In providing funds under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize States that are not yet connected with the electronic interstate case-processing system referred to in paragraph (1).
A State to which funding is provided under this subsection shall use the funding to support the State in connecting with, or enhancing or expediting services provided under, the electronic interstate case-processing system referred to in paragraph (1). Not later than 1 year after the final year in which funds 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:
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. 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. The progress made by States in implementing the electronic interstate case-processing system. 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. How using the electronic interstate case-processing system has affected administrative costs and caseworker time spent on placing children across State lines. 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— 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); 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 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). .
Connectionstraces to 1
Traces to 1 document
Citation graph
cites case law
Sec. 4
Funding 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
Cites 1Cited by 0 across 0 sources