[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4443 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4443
To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to
provide information about available benefits and services to kinship
caregivers.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 22, 2022
Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Young, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, and Mr.
Kelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to
provide information about available benefits and services to kinship
caregivers.
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 ``Informing Grandfamilies Act''.
SEC. 2. STATE NOTIFICATIONS TO KINSHIP CAREGIVERS OF CHILD TANF
RECIPIENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(13) State requirements regarding notice and guidance to
kinship caregivers.--
``(A) In general.--A State to which a grant is made
under section 403 shall ensure that the State agency
provides to any kinship caregiver, including
grandparents and other relative caregivers, of a minor
child if the child is a recipient of assistance under
the State program funded under this part (or under a
State program funded with qualified State expenditures
(as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))), written
notice that--
``(i) explains the options of the kinship
caregiver under Federal, State, and local law
to participate in the care and placement of the
child, including the financial ramifications of
the options and any options that may be lost by
choosing certain benefits;
``(ii) describes the requirements under
section 471(a)(10) to become a foster family
home and the additional services and supports
that are available for a child placed in such a
home;
``(iii) if the State has elected the option
to make guardianship assistance payments under
section 471(a)(28), describes how the kinship
caregiver may enter into an agreement with the
State to receive the payments;
``(iv) describes policies under the State
program funded under this part that may help
kinship caregivers and the relative children
they care for; and
``(v) provides direct contact information
for kinship navigator programs described in
section 427(a)(1) or other agencies and
community organizations that provide resources
and assistance, such as housing, supplemental
nutrition assistance, health care, and child
care.
``(B) Timing of notice.--The notice required under
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall be provided to a kinship
caregiver of a minor child at the time that the
kinship caregiver attends an eligibility
interview for assistance (either on the kinship
caregiver's own behalf or on behalf of the
child) under the State program funded under
this part (or under a State program funded with
qualified State expenditures (as defined in
section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))); or
``(ii) if the kinship caregiver (or the
minor child) is already receiving assistance
under such a program on the date of enactment
of this paragraph, shall be sent to the kinship
caregiver as soon as practicable after such
date.
``(C) Provision of guidance to kinship
caregivers.--A State to which a grant is made under
section 403 shall ensure that the State agency
responsible for administering the State program funded
under this part employs a resource employee who is
trained to provide guidance to kinship caregivers,
including grandparents and other relative caregivers,
of a minor child if the child is a recipient of
assistance under the program (or under a State program
funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in
section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))), on legal options regarding
custody and guardianship of the child, including
explaining to the kinship caregiver how each legal
option corresponds to the availability of benefits and
services, and who serves as a liaison with other
agencies and community organizations that provide
resources and assistance to kinship caregivers.''.
(b) Inclusion in State Plan.--Section 402(a)(1)(B) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(vi) The document shall provide a
detailed explanation of how the State intends
to comply with section 408(a)(13).''.
<all>