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Bill115th CongressFiled Jun 8, 2017Families
H.R. 2866

Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jun 20, 2017)

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.

What just happenedJun 21, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16](R-PA)Sponsor
7 cosponsors6 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
7cosponsors2committees13actions2related bills7subjects
  1. Jun 21, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

    Finance Committee
  2. Jun 20, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jun 20, 2017FloorH37300

    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)

  4. Jun 20, 2017Floor8000

    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)

  5. Jun 20, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4979)

  6. Jun 20, 2017FloorH37220

    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.

  7. Jun 20, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2866.

  8. Jun 20, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4955-4958)

  9. Jun 20, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Kelly (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Jun 12, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

    Work and Welfare Subcommittee
  11. Jun 8, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

    Ways and Means Committee
  12. Jun 8, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  13. Jun 8, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJun 20, 201736

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.
Introduced in HouseJun 8, 2017

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.
Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act — Informed