Continuation of Useful Resources to States Act or the COURTS Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2028, and otherwise makes changes to, the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, which provides funding to states, territories, and tribes for child and family services.
Among other changes, recipients of certain grants to improve child welfare proceedings in court systems must use a minimum percentage of funds on data collection and data sharing activities between the court systems and child welfare agencies.
In addition, the bill provides funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Fund through FY2021.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4602 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4602
To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to
extend State court funding for child welfare, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 4, 2019
Mr. Brady (for himself, Mrs. Walorski, and Mr. Luetkemeyer) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend subpart 2 of part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to
extend State court funding for child welfare, 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 ``Continuation of Useful Resources to
States Act'' or ``COURTS Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF STATE COURT FUNDING FOR CHILD WELFARE.
(a) In General.--Section 436(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 629f) is amended by striking ``2017 through 2021'' and inserting
``2022 through 2028''.
(b) Program Changes.--Section 438 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 629h) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``in
a timely and complete manner'' before ``, as
set forth''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
semicolon and inserting ``, including by
training judges, attorneys, and other legal
personnel.''; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4);
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) by striking all that precedes ``be eligible to
receive'' and inserting the following:
``(b) Applications.--In order to''; and
(C) in the matter preceding paragraph (2)--
(i) by moving the matter 2 ems to the left;
(ii) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by striking ``(A) in the case
of a grant for the purpose described in
subsection (a)(3),'' and inserting
``(1)''; and
(II) by inserting ``use not less
than 30 percent of grant funds to''
before ``collaborate'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``(B) in the case of a grant for the purpose
described in subsection (a)(4),'' and inserting
``(2)''; and
(iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``(C)
in the case of a grant for the purpose
described in subsection (a),'' and inserting
``(3)'';
(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Amount of Grant.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts reserved under sections
436(b)(2) and 437(b)(2) for a fiscal year, each highest State
court that has an application approved under this section for
the fiscal year shall be entitled to payment of an amount equal
to the sum of--
``(A) $255,000; and
``(B) the amount described in paragraph (2) with
respect to the court and the fiscal year.
``(2) Amount described.--The amount described in this
paragraph with respect to a court and a fiscal year is the
amount that bears the same ratio to the total of the amounts
reserved under sections 436(b)(2) and 437(b)(2) for grants
under this section for the fiscal year (after applying
paragraphs (1)(A) and (3) of this subsection) as the number of
individuals in the State in which the court is located who have
not attained 21 years of age bears to the total number of such
individuals in all States with a highest State court that has
an approved application under this section for the fiscal year.
``(3) Indian tribes.--From the amounts reserved under
section 436(b)(2) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall,
before applying paragraph (1) of this subsection, allocate
$1,000,000 for grants to be awarded on a competitive basis
among the highest courts of Indian tribes or tribal consortia
that--
``(A) are operating a program under part E, in
accordance with section 479B;
``(B) are seeking to operate a program under part E
and have received an implementation grant under section
476; or
``(C) have a court responsible for proceedings
related to foster care or adoption.''; and
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``2017 through 2021''
and inserting ``2018 through 2022''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2019.
SEC. 3. ADJUSTMENT TO THE TANF CONTINGENCY FUND FOR STATE WELFARE
PROGRAMS.
Section 403(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(b)(2))
is amended by striking ``2018'' and all that follows and inserting
``2020 $468,000,000, and for fiscal year 2021 such sums as are
necessary for payment to the Fund in a total amount not to exceed
$608,000,000.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.
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