[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8745 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8745
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the
monthly caseworker visits program so States can invest in the child
welfare workforce ensuring that children in care have access to quality
and timely care.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 13, 2024
Mr. Smucker introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means
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A BILL
To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the
monthly caseworker visits program so States can invest in the child
welfare workforce ensuring that children in care have access to quality
and timely care.
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 ``Child Welfare Workforce Development
Act''.
SEC. 2. CHILD WELFARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Modification of Payment Reduction Rules.--Section 424(f) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 624(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``(1)(A)''; and
(B) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(2) by striking paragraph (2).
(b) Use of Funds.--Section 436(b)(4)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
629f(b)(4)(B)(i)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``emphasis on'' and all that follows and
inserting ``emphasis on--''; and
(2) by adding after and below the end the following:
``(I) reducing caseload ratios and
the administrative burden on
caseworkers, to improve caseworker
decision making on the safety,
permanency, and well-being of foster
children and on activities designed to
increase retention, recruitment, and
training of caseworkers;
``(II) implementing technology
solutions to streamline caseworker
duties and modernize systems, ensuring
improved efficiency and effectiveness
in child welfare services;
``(III) technologies designed to
enhance caseworker safety;
``(IV) developing and implementing
mentoring or coaching programs that
address work-related stress and offer
frontline workers support; and
``(V) recruitment campaigns aimed
at attracting qualified caseworker
candidates.''.
(c) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
take effect on October 1, 2026, and shall apply to payments
under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act for
calendar quarters beginning on or after such date.
(2) Delay permitted if state legislation required.--If the
Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State
legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is
required in order for a State plan developed pursuant to part B
of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional
requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section,
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 first 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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