[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8745 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 8745

 To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the 
  monthly caseworker visits program so States can invest in the child 
welfare workforce ensuring that children in care have access to quality 
                            and timely care.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 13, 2024

 Mr. Smucker introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend part B of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve the 
  monthly caseworker visits program so States can invest in the child 
welfare workforce ensuring that children in care have access to quality 
                            and timely care.

    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 ``Child Welfare Workforce Development 
Act''.

SEC. 2. CHILD WELFARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Modification of Payment Reduction Rules.--Section 424(f) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 624(f)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``(1)(A)''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B); and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2).
    (b) Use of Funds.--Section 436(b)(4)(B)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
629f(b)(4)(B)(i)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``emphasis on'' and all that follows and 
        inserting ``emphasis on--''; and
            (2) by adding after and below the end the following:
                                    ``(I) reducing caseload ratios and 
                                the administrative burden on 
                                caseworkers, to improve caseworker 
                                decision making on the safety, 
                                permanency, and well-being of foster 
                                children and on activities designed to 
                                increase retention, recruitment, and 
                                training of caseworkers;
                                    ``(II) implementing technology 
                                solutions to streamline caseworker 
                                duties and modernize systems, ensuring 
                                improved efficiency and effectiveness 
                                in child welfare services;
                                    ``(III) technologies designed to 
                                enhance caseworker safety;
                                    ``(IV) developing and implementing 
                                mentoring or coaching programs that 
                                address work-related stress and offer 
                                frontline workers support; and
                                    ``(V) recruitment campaigns aimed 
                                at attracting qualified caseworker 
                                candidates.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
        take effect on October 1, 2026, and shall apply to payments 
        under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act for 
        calendar quarters beginning on or after such date.
            (2) Delay permitted if state legislation required.--If the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State 
        legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is 
        required in order for a State plan developed pursuant to part B 
        of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional 
        requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section, 
        the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the 
        additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar 
        quarter beginning after the first regular session of the State 
        legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the State has a 
        2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed 
        to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
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