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Public Law118th CongressFamilies
H.R. 9076Became Law

Supporting America’s Children and Families Act

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Jan 4, 2025)

Supporting America’s Children and Families Act

TITLE I--CHILD WELFARE REAUTHORIZATION AND MODERNIZATION

Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act

This title reauthorizes through FY2029 certain child and family services and modifies programs related to prevention services, youth in foster care, parental substance use disorder, and kinship caregiving, which are generally administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

First, the title reauthorizes funding through FY2029 for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services and the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs. It also requires 3% of allocated funding to be paid directly to Indian tribes. 

The title also reauthorizes through FY2029 the Court Improvement Program and requires the ACF to issue guidance for technological changes necessary to conduct proceedings remotely.

The title reauthorizes through FY2029 and revises regional partnership grants for services to families affected by substance use disorders.

The ACF also must review administrative requirements for state child welfare agencies and explore ways to reduce the compliance time.

The title also authorizes grants to states and other specified organizations to evaluate child and family services and kinship navigator programs.

Further, state plans for child welfare services must describe how states may offer virtual caseworker visits to youth in care who are over 18 and have consented to such visits.

The title also authorizes family preservation and family support services for youth under the age of 26. It also includes within the definition of family preservation services nonrecurring, short-term benefits that address immediate needs related to a specific crisis, such as supports for housing or food assistance.

The title also reauthorizes grants to states for caseworker support and authorizes demonstration grants to support relationships between foster children and their incarcerated parents.

Finally, the title modifies certain requirements regarding data collection and technical assistance for programs relating to behavioral health services, and it requires the ACF to report on post-adoption and guardianship services.

The title takes effect on October 1, 2025.

TITLE II--STRENGTHENING STATE AND TRIBAL CHILD SUPPORT

Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act

This title permits tribal child support enforcement agencies to access the Federal Tax Refund Offset Program to collect past-due child support payments from the federal tax refunds of noncustodial parents.

Additionally, the title authorizes the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration to disclose certain tax return information to tribal child support enforcement agencies. Such information may be disclosed to establish and collect child support obligations from, and to locate, those individuals owing such obligations. The title also explicitly authorizes state and tribal child support enforcement agencies to disclose necessary information to contractors for these purposes.

The title also permits the ACF to reimburse tribal agencies for certain reporting costs related to the Federal Parent Locator Service.

What just happenedJan 4, 2025

Became Public Law No: 118-258.

Who’s behind it

Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16](R-IL)Sponsor
23 cosponsors7 D16 R
Read on Congress.gov
23cosponsors2committees29actions3related bills25subjects
  1. Jan 4, 2025PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 118-258.

  2. Jan 4, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 118-258.

  3. Jan 4, 2025PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Jan 4, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 27, 2024FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 27, 2024President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 23, 2024Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 21, 2024Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7317)

  9. Dec 21, 2024Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Dec 21, 2024Discharge

    Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Finance Committee
  11. Dec 21, 2024Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Finance Committee
  12. Sep 19, 2024IntroReferral

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

    Finance Committee
  13. Sep 18, 2024FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  14. Sep 18, 2024FloorH38310

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

  15. Sep 18, 2024FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 10 (Roll no. 423). (text: 09/17/2024 CR H5259-5266)

  16. Sep 18, 2024Floor8000

    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): 405 - 10 (Roll no. 423). (text: 09/17/2024 CR H5259-5266)

  17. Sep 18, 2024FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5341-5342)

  18. Sep 17, 2024FloorH37220

    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.

  19. Sep 17, 2024FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9076.

  20. Sep 17, 2024FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5259-5270)

  21. Sep 17, 2024FloorH30300

    Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  22. Sep 17, 2024CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 574.

  23. Sep 17, 2024CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-679.

    Ways and Means Committee
  24. Sep 17, 2024Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 118-679.

    Ways and Means Committee
  25. Jul 24, 2024CommitteeH19000

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.

    Ways and Means Committee
  26. Jul 24, 2024CommitteeH15001

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    Ways and Means Committee
  27. Jul 22, 2024IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

    Ways and Means Committee
  28. Jul 22, 2024IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  29. Jul 22, 2024IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawJan 4, 202549

Supporting America’s Children and Families Act

TITLE I--CHILD WELFARE REAUTHORIZATION AND MODERNIZATION

Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act

This title reauthorizes through FY2029 certain child and family services and modifies programs related to prevention services, youth in foster care, parental substance use disorder, and kinship caregiving, which are generally administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

First, the title reauthorizes funding through FY2029 for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services and the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs. It also requires 3% of allocated funding to be paid directly to Indian tribes. 

The title also reauthorizes through FY2029 the Court Improvement Program and requires the ACF to issue guidance for technological changes necessary to conduct proceedings remotely.

The title reauthorizes through FY2029 and revises regional partnership grants for services to families affected by substance use disorders.

The ACF also must review administrative requirements for state child welfare agencies and explore ways to reduce the compliance time.

The title also authorizes grants to states and other specified organizations to evaluate child and family services and kinship navigator programs.

Further, state plans for child welfare services must describe how states may offer virtual caseworker visits to youth in care who are over 18 and have consented to such visits.

The title also authorizes family preservation and family support services for youth under the age of 26. It also includes within the definition of family preservation services nonrecurring, short-term benefits that address immediate needs related to a specific crisis, such as supports for housing or food assistance.

The title also reauthorizes grants to states for caseworker support and authorizes demonstration grants to support relationships between foster children and their incarcerated parents.

Finally, the title modifies certain requirements regarding data collection and technical assistance for programs relating to behavioral health services, and it requires the ACF to report on post-adoption and guardianship services.

The title takes effect on October 1, 2025.

TITLE II--STRENGTHENING STATE AND TRIBAL CHILD SUPPORT

Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act

This title permits tribal child support enforcement agencies to access the Federal Tax Refund Offset Program to collect past-due child support payments from the federal tax refunds of noncustodial parents.

Additionally, the title authorizes the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration to disclose certain tax return information to tribal child support enforcement agencies. Such information may be disclosed to establish and collect child support obligations from, and to locate, those individuals owing such obligations. The title also explicitly authorizes state and tribal child support enforcement agencies to disclose necessary information to contractors for these purposes.

The title also permits the ACF to reimburse tribal agencies for certain reporting costs related to the Federal Parent Locator Service.

Introduced in HouseJul 22, 202400

Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 certain child and family services and modifies programs related to prevention services, youth in foster care, parental substance use disorder, and kinship caregiving, which are generally administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

First, the bill reauthorizes funding through FY2029 for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services and the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families programs. It also requires 3% of allocated funding to be paid directly to Indian tribes. 

The bill also reauthorizes through FY2029 the Court Improvement Program and requires the ACF to issue guidance for technological changes necessary to conduct proceedings remotely.

The ACF also must review administrative requirements for state child welfare agencies and explore ways to reduce the compliance time.

The bill also authorizes grants to states and other specified organizations to evaluate child and family services and kinship navigator programs.

Further, state plans for child welfare services must describe how states may offer virtual caseworker visits to youth in care who are over 18 and have consented to such visits.

The bill also reauthorizes grants to states for caseworker support and authorizes demonstration grants to support relationships between foster children and their incarcerated parents.

Finally, the bill modifies certain requirements regarding data collection and technical assistance for programs relating to behavioral health services, and it requires the ACF to report on post-adoption and guardianship services.

The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Supporting America’s Children and Families Act — Informed