[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2893 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2893

 To provide for demonstration and evaluation of, and dissemination of 
     information concerning, promising approaches to promoting and 
    supporting involved, committed, and responsible fatherhood, and 
  promoting and supporting healthy marriages, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 14, 2001

  Mr. Herger introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
   Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
        fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide for demonstration and evaluation of, and dissemination of 
     information concerning, promising approaches to promoting and 
    supporting involved, committed, and responsible fatherhood, and 
  promoting and supporting healthy marriages, 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 ``Promotion and Support of Responsible 
Fatherhood and Healthy Marriage Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. FATHERHOOD PROGRAM.

    Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after part B the following:

                      ``PART C--FATHERHOOD PROGRAM

``SEC. 441. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    ``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that there is substantial 
evidence strongly indicating the urgent need to promote and support 
involved, committed, and responsible fatherhood, and to encourage and 
support healthy marriages between parents raising children, including 
data demonstrating the following:-
            ``(1) In approximately 90 percent of cases where a parent 
        is absent, that parent is the father.
            ``(2) By some estimates, 60 percent of children born in the 
        1990s will spend a significant portion of their childhood in a 
        home without a father.
            ``(3) Nearly 75 percent of children in single-parent homes 
        will experience poverty before they are 11 years old, compared 
        with only 20 percent of children in 2-parent families.
            ``(4) Low income is positively correlated with children's 
        difficulties with education, social adjustment, and 
        delinquency, and single-parent households constitute a 
        disproportionate share of low-income households.
            ``(5) Where families (whether intact or with a parent 
        absent) are living in poverty, a significant factor is the 
        father's lack of job skills.
            ``(6) Children raised in 2-parent married families, on 
        average, fare better as a group in key areas, including better 
        school performance, reduced rates of substance abuse, crime, 
        and delinquency, fewer health, emotional, and behavioral 
        problems, lower rates of teenage sexual activity, less risk of 
        abuse or neglect, and lower risk of teen suicide.
            ``(7) Committed and responsible fathering during infancy 
        and early childhood contributes to the development of emotional 
        security, curiosity, and math and verbal skills.
            ``(8) An estimated 24,000,000 children (33.5 percent) live 
        apart from their biological father.
            ``(9) A recent national survey indicates that of all 
        children under age 18 not living with their biological father, 
        29 percent had not seen their father even once in the last 12 
        months.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this part are:
            ``(1) To provide for projects and activities by public 
        entities and by nonprofit community entities, including 
        religious organizations, designed to test promising approaches 
        to accomplishing the following objectives:
                    ``(A) Promoting responsible, caring, and effective 
                parenting through counseling, mentoring, and parenting 
                education, dissemination of educational materials and 
                information on parenting skills, encouragement of 
                positive father involvement, including the positive 
                involvement of nonresident fathers, and other methods.
                    ``(B) Enhancing the abilities and commitment of 
                unemployed or low-income fathers to provide material 
                support for their families and to avoid or leave 
                welfare programs by assisting them to take full 
                advantage of education, job training, and job search 
                programs, to improve work habits and work skills, to 
                secure career advancement by activities such as 
                outreach and information dissemination, coordination, 
                as appropriate, with employment services and job 
                training programs, including the One-Stop delivery 
                system established under title I of the Workforce 
                Investment Act of 1998, encouragement and support of 
                regular and timely payment of child support in 
                appropriate cases, and other methods.
                    ``(C) Improving fathers' ability to effectively 
                manage family business affairs by means such as 
                education, counseling, and mentoring in matters 
                including household management, budgeting, banking, and 
                handling of financial transactions, time management, 
                and home maintenance.
                    ``(D) Encouraging and supporting healthy marriages 
                and married fatherhood through such activities as 
                premarital education, including the use of premarital 
                inventories, marriage preparation programs, skills-
                based marriage education programs, marital therapy, 
                couples counseling, divorce education and reduction 
                programs, divorce mediation and counseling, 
                relationship skills enhancement programs, including 
                those designed to reduce child abuse and domestic 
                violence, and dissemination of information about the 
                benefits of marriage for both parents and children.
            ``(2) Through the projects and activities described in 
        paragraph (1), to improve outcomes for children with respect to 
        measures such as increased family income and economic security, 
        improved school performance, better health, improved emotional 
        and behavioral stability and social adjustment, and reduced 
        risk of delinquency, crime, substance abuse, child abuse and 
        neglect, teen sexual activity, and teen suicide.
            ``(3) To evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches 
        and to disseminate findings concerning outcomes and other 
        information in order to encourage and facilitate the 
        replication of effective approaches to accomplishing these 
        objectives.

``SEC. 442. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this part, the terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization' 
have the meanings given them in subsections (e) and (l), respectively, 
of section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act.

``SEC. 443. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR SERVICE PROJECTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants for fiscal years 
2002 through 2006 to public and nonprofit community entities, including 
religious organizations, and to Indian tribes and tribal organizations, 
for demonstration service projects and activities designed to test the 
effectiveness of various approaches to accomplish the objectives 
specified in section 441(b)(1).
    ``(b) Eligibility Criteria for Full Service Grants.--In order to be 
eligible for a grant under this section, except as specified in 
subsection (c), an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary 
containing the following:
            ``(1) Project description.--A statement including--
                    ``(A) a description of the project and how it will 
                be carried out, including the geographical area to be 
                covered and the number and characteristics of clients 
                to be served, and how it will address each of the 4 
                objectives specified in section 441(b)(1); and
                    ``(B) a description of the methods to be used by 
                the entity or its contractor to assess the extent to 
                which the project was successful in accomplishing its 
                specific objectives and the general objectives 
                specified in section 441(b)(1).
            ``(2) Experience and qualifications.--A demonstration of 
        ability to carry out the project, by means such as 
        demonstration of experience in successfully carrying out 
        projects of similar design and scope, and such other 
        information as the Secretary may find necessary to demonstrate 
        the entity's capacity to carry out the project, including the 
        entity's ability to provide the non-Federal share of project 
        resources.
            ``(3) Addressing child abuse and domestic violence.--A 
        description of how the entity will assess for the presence of, 
        and intervene to resolve, domestic violence and child abuse, 
        including how the entity will coordinate with State and local 
        child protective service and domestic violence programs.
            ``(4) Addressing concerns relating to substance abuse and 
        sexual activity.--A commitment to make available to each 
        individual participating in the project education about 
        alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and about the health risks 
        associated with abusing such substances, and information about 
        diseases and conditions transmitted through substance abuse and 
        sexual contact, including HIV/AIDS, and to coordinate with 
        providers of services addressing such problems, as appropriate.
            ``(5) Coordination with specified programs.--An undertaking 
        to coordinate, as appropriate, with State and local entities 
        responsible for the programs under parts A, B, and D of this 
        title, including programs under title I of the Workforce 
        Investment Act of 1998 (including the One-Stop delivery 
        system), and such other programs as the Secretary may require.
            ``(6) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement to 
        maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with 
        such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for 
        purposes of oversight of project activities and expenditures.
            ``(7) Self-initiated evaluation.--If the entity elects to 
        contract for independent evaluation of the project (part or all 
        of the cost of which may be paid for using grant funds), a 
        commitment to submit to the Secretary a copy of the evaluation 
        report within 30 days after completion of the report and not 
        more than 1 year after completion of the project.
            ``(8) Cooperation with secretary's oversight and 
        evaluation.--An agreement to cooperate with the Secretary's 
        evaluation of projects assisted under this section, by means 
        including random assignment of clients to service recipient and 
        control groups, if determined by the Secretary to be 
        appropriate, and affording the Secretary access to the project 
        and to project-related records and documents, staff, and 
        clients.
    ``(c) Eligibility Criteria for Limited Purpose Grants.--In order to 
be eligible for a grant under this section in an amount under $25,000 
per fiscal year, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary 
containing the following:
            ``(1) Project description.--A description of the project 
        and how it will be carried out, including the number and 
        characteristics of clients to be served, the proposed duration 
        of the project, and how it will address at least 1 of the 4 
        objectives specified in section 441(b)(1).
            ``(2) Qualifications.--Such information as the Secretary 
        may require as to the capacity of the entity to carry out the 
        project, including any previous experience with similar 
        activities.
            ``(3) Coordination with related programs.--As required by 
        the Secretary in appropriate cases, an undertaking to 
        coordinate and cooperate with State and local entities 
        responsible for specific programs relating to the objectives of 
        the project including, as appropriate, jobs programs and 
        programs serving children and families.
            ``(4) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement to 
        maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with 
        such reviews or audits as the Secretary may find necessary for 
purposes of oversight of project activities and expenditures.
            ``(5) Cooperation with secretary's oversight and 
        evaluation.--An agreement to cooperate with the Secretary's 
        evaluation of projects assisted under this section, by means 
        including affording the Secretary access to the project and to 
        project-related records and documents, staff, and clients.
    ``(d) Considerations in Awarding Grants.--
            ``(1) Diversity of projects.--In awarding grants under this 
        section, the Secretary shall seek to achieve a balance among 
        entities of differing sizes, entities in differing geographic 
        areas, entities in urban and in rural areas, and entities 
        employing differing methods of achieving the purposes of this 
        section.
            ``(2) Preference for projects serving low-income fathers.--
        In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary may give 
        preference to applications for projects in which a majority of 
        the clients to be served are low-income fathers.
    ``(e) Federal Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--Grants for a project under this section 
        for a fiscal year shall be available for a share of the cost of 
        such project in such fiscal year equal to--
                    ``(A) up to 80 percent (or up to 90 percent, if the 
                entity demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction 
                circumstances limiting the entity's ability to secure 
                non-Federal resources) in the case of a project under 
                subsection (b); and
                    ``(B) up to 100 percent, in the case of a project 
                under subsection (c).
            ``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share may be in 
        cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal 
        share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods, 
        services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.

``SEC. 444. MULTICITY, MULTISTATE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants under this section 
for fiscal years 2002 through 2006 to eligible entities (as specified 
in subsection (b)) for 2 multicity, multistate projects demonstrating 
approaches to achieving the objectives specified in section 441(b)(1). 
One of the projects shall test the use of married couples to deliver 
program services.
    ``(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible for a grant under this 
section must be a national nonprofit fatherhood promotion organization 
that meets the following requirements:
            ``(1) Experience with fatherhood programs.--The 
        organization must have substantial experience in designing and 
        successfully conducting programs that meet the purposes 
        described in section 441.
            ``(2) Experience with multicity, multistate programs and 
        government coordination.--The organization must have experience 
        in simultaneously conducting such programs in more than 1 major 
        metropolitan area in more than 1 State and in coordinating such 
        programs, where appropriate, with State and local government 
        agencies and private, nonprofit agencies (including community-
        based and religious organizations), including State or local 
        agencies responsible for child support enforcement and 
        workforce development.
    ``(c) Application Requirements.--In order to be eligible for a 
grant under this section, an entity must submit to the Secretary an 
application that includes the following:
            ``(1) Qualifications.--
                    ``(A) Eligible entity.--A demonstration that the 
                entity meets the requirements of subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Other.--Such other information as the 
                Secretary may find necessary to demonstrate the 
                entity's capacity to carry out the project, including 
                the entity's ability to provide the non-Federal share 
                of project resources.
            ``(2) Project description.--A description of and 
        commitments concerning the project design, including the 
        following:
                    ``(A) In general.--A detailed description of the 
                proposed project design and how it will be carried out, 
                which shall--
                            ``(i) provide for the project to be 
                        conducted in at least 3 major metropolitan 
                        areas;
                            ``(ii) state how it will address each of 
                        the 4 objectives specified in section 
                        441(b)(1);
                            ``(iii) demonstrate that there is a 
                        sufficient number of potential clients to allow 
                        for the random selection of individuals to 
                        participate in the project and for comparisons 
                        with appropriate control groups composed of 
                        individuals who have not participated in such 
                        projects; and
                            ``(iv) demonstrate that the project is 
                        designed to direct a majority of project 
                        resources to activities serving low-income 
                        fathers (but the project need not make services 
                        available on a means-tested basis).
                    ``(B) Oversight, evaluation, and adjustment 
                component.--An agreement that the entity--
                            ``(i) in consultation with the evaluator 
                        selected pursuant to section 445, and as 
                        required by the Secretary, will modify the 
                        project design, initially and (if necessary) 
                        subsequently throughout the duration of the 
                        project, in order to facilitate ongoing and 
                        final oversight and evaluation of project 
                        operation and outcomes (by means including, to 
                        the maximum extent feasible, random assignment 
                        of clients to service recipient and control 
                        groups), and to provide for mid-course 
                        adjustments in project design indicated by 
                        interim evaluations;
                            ``(ii) will submit to the Secretary revised 
                        descriptions of the project design as modified 
                        in accordance with clause (i); and
                            ``(iii) will cooperate fully with the 
                        Secretary's ongoing oversight and ongoing and 
                        final evaluation of the project, by means 
                        including affording the Secretary access to the 
                        project and to project-related records and 
                        documents, staff, and clients.
            ``(3) Addressing child abuse and domestic violence.--A 
        description of how the entity will assess for the presence of, 
        and intervene to resolve, domestic violence and child abuse, 
        including how the entity will coordinate with State and local 
        child protective service and domestic violence programs.
            ``(4) Addressing concerns relating to substance abuse and 
        sexual activity.--A commitment to make available to each 
        individual participating in the project education about 
        alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and about the health risks 
        associated with abusing such substances, and information about 
        diseases and conditions transmitted through substance abuse and 
        sexual contact, including HIV/AIDS, and to coordinate with 
        providers of services addressing such problems, as appropriate.
            ``(5) Coordination with specified programs.--An undertaking 
        to coordinate, as appropriate, with State and local entities 
        responsible for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, 
        Welfare-to-Work, Child Support Enforcement, and Child Welfare 
        Service programs under title IV of the Social Security Act, 
        programs under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 
        (including the One-Stop delivery system), and such other 
        programs as the Secretary may require.
            ``(6) Records, reports, and audits.--An agreement to 
        maintain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with 
        such reviews or audits (in addition to those required under the 
        preceding provisions of paragraph (2)) as the Secretary may 
        find necessary for purposes of oversight of project activities 
        and expenditures.
    ``(d) Federal Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--Grants for a project under this section 
        for a fiscal year shall be available for up to 80 percent of 
        the cost of such project in such fiscal year.
            ``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share may be in 
        cash or in kind. In determining the amount of the non-Federal 
        share, the Secretary may attribute fair market value to goods, 
        services, and facilities contributed from non-Federal sources.

``SEC. 445. EVALUATION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, directly or by contract or 
cooperative agreement, shall evaluate the effectiveness of service 
projects funded under sections 443 and 444 from the standpoint of the 
purposes specified in section 441(b)(1).
    ``(b) Evaluation Methodology.--Evaluations under this section 
shall--
            ``(1) include, to the maximum extent feasible, random 
        assignment of clients to service delivery and control groups 
        and other appropriate comparisons of groups of individuals 
        receiving and not receiving services;
            ``(2) describe and measure the effectiveness of the 
        projects in achieving their specific project goals; and
            ``(3) describe and assess, as appropriate, the impact of 
        such projects on marriage, parenting, domestic violence, child 
        abuse, money management, employment and earnings, payment of 
        child support, and child well-being, health, and education.
    ``(c) Evaluation Reports.--The Secretary shall publish the 
following reports on the results of the evaluation:
            ``(1) An implementation evaluation report covering the 
        first 24 months of the activities under this part to be 
        completed by 36 months after initiation of such activities.
            ``(2) A final report on the evaluation to be completed by 
        September 30, 2009.

``SEC. 446. PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.

    The Secretary is authorized, by grant, contract, or cooperative 
agreement, to carry out projects and activities of national 
significance relating to fatherhood promotion, including--
            ``(1) Collection and dissemination of information.--
        Assisting States, communities, and private entities, including 
        religious organizations, in efforts to promote and support 
        marriage and responsible fatherhood by collecting, evaluating, 
        developing, and making available (through the Internet and by 
        other means) to all interested parties information regarding 
        approaches to accomplishing the objectives specified in section 
        441(b)(1).
            ``(2) Media campaign.--Developing, promoting, and 
        distributing to interested States, local governments, public 
        agencies, and private nonprofit organizations, including 
        charitable and religious organizations, a media campaign that 
        promotes and encourages involved, committed, and responsible 
        fatherhood and married fatherhood.
            ``(3) Technical assistance.--Providing technical 
        assistance, including consultation and training, to public and 
        private entities, including community organizations and faith-
        based organizations, in the implementation of local fatherhood 
        promotion programs.
            ``(4) Research.--Conducting research related to the 
        purposes of this part.

``SEC. 447. NONDISCRIMINATION.

    ``The projects and activities assisted under this part shall be 
available on the same basis to all fathers and expectant fathers able 
to benefit from such projects and activities, including married and 
unmarried fathers and custodial and noncustodial fathers, with 
particular attention to low-income fathers, and to mothers and 
expectant mothers on the same basis as to fathers.

``SEC. 448. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVATION FOR CERTAIN 
              PURPOSE.

    ``(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
$64,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006 to carry out the 
provisions of this part.
    ``(b) Reservation.--Of the amount appropriated under this section 
for each fiscal year, 15 percent, but in no event less than $5,000,000, 
shall be available for the costs of the multicity, multistate 
demonstration projects under section 444, evaluations under section 
445, and projects of national significance under section 446.''.
                                 <all>