CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT
118–193
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
text/xml
EN
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Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
805
93
1974-01-31
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT1
^1
Public Law 93–247.
[As Amended Through P.L. 118–193, Enacted December 23, 2024]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 93-247. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]
SECTION 1.

SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a)

Short Title.—
This Act may be cited as the “Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act”.
(b)

Table of Contents.—
The table of contents is as follows:

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sec. 1.
Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2.
Findings.
Sec. 3.
General definitions.
TITLE I—
GENERAL PROGRAM
Sec. 101.
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Sec. 102.
Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Sec. 103.
National clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse.
Sec. 104.
Research and assistance activities.
Sec. 105.
Grants to States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and public or private agencies and organizations.
Sec. 106.
Grants to States for child abuse or neglect prevention and treatment programs.
Sec. 107.
Grants to States for programs relating to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases.
Sec. 108.
Miscellaneous requirements relating to assistance.
Sec. 109.
Coordination of child abuse and neglect programs.
Sec. 110.
Reports.
Sec. 111.
Definitions.
Sec. 112.
Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 113.
Rule of construction.
Sec. 114.
Monitoring and oversight.
TITLE II—
COMMUNITY-BASED GRANTS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT
Sec. 201.
Purpose and authority.
Sec. 202.
Eligibility.
Sec. 203.
Amount of grant.
Sec. 204.
Application.
Sec. 205.
Local program requirements.
Sec. 206.
Performance measures.
Sec. 207.
National network for community-based family resource programs.
Sec. 208.
Definitions.
Sec. 209.
Authorization of appropriations.
[42 U.S.C. 5101 note]
SEC. 2.

FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1)
in fiscal year 2008, approximately 772,000 children were found by States to be victims of child abuse and neglect;
(2)
(A)
more children suffer neglect than any other form of maltreatment and close to ⅓ of all child maltreatment-related fatalities in fiscal year 2008 were attributed to neglect alone; and
(B)
investigations have determined that approximately 71 percent of children who were victims of maltreatment in fiscal year 2008 suffered neglect, 16 percent suffered physical abuse, 9 percent suffered sexual abuse,,2 7 percent suffered psychological maltreatment, 2 percent experienced medical neglect, and 9 percent were victims of other forms of maltreatment;
^2
Double commas so in law.
(3)
(A)
child abuse or neglect can result in the death of a child;
(B)
in fiscal year 2008, an estimated 1,740 children were counted by child protection services to have died as a result of abuse or neglect; and
(C)
in fiscal year 2008, children younger than 1 year old comprised 45 percent of child maltreatment fatalities and 72 percent of child maltreatment fatalities were younger than 4 years of age;
(4)
(A)
many of these children and their families fail to receive adequate protection and treatment; and
(B)
approximately 37 percent of victims of child abuse did not receive post-investigation services in fiscal year 2008;
(5)
African-American children, American Indian children, Alaska Native children, and children of multiple races and ethnicities experience the highest rates of child abuse or neglect;
(6)
the problem of child abuse and neglect requires a comprehensive approach that—
(A)
integrates the work of social service, legal, health, mental health, domestic violence services, education, and substance abuse agencies and community-based organizations;
(B)
strengthens coordination among all levels of government, and with private agencies, civic, religious, and professional organizations, and individual volunteers;
(C)
emphasizes the need for abuse and neglect prevention, assessment, investigation, and treatment at the neighborhood level;
(D)
recognizes the need for properly trained staff with the qualifications needed to carry out their child protection duties; and
(E)
recognizes the diversity of ethnic, cultural, and religious beliefs and traditions that may impact child rearing patterns, while not allowing the differences in those beliefs and traditions to enable abuse or neglect;
(7)
the failure to coordinate and comprehensively prevent and treat child abuse and neglect threatens the futures of thousands of children and results in a cost to the Nation of billions of dollars in tangible expenditures, as well as significant intangible costs;
(8)
all elements of American society have a shared responsibility in responding to child abuse and neglect;
(9)
substantial reductions in the prevalence and incidence of child abuse and neglect and the alleviation of its consequences are matters of the highest national priority;
(10)
national policy should strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect, provide support for needed services to prevent the unnecessary removal of children from families, and promote the reunification of families where appropriate;
(11)
the child protection system should be comprehensive, child-centered, family-focused, and community-based, should incorporate all appropriate measures to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of child abuse and neglect, and should promote physical and psychological recovery and social re-integration in an environment that fosters the health, safety, self-respect, and dignity of the child;
(12)
because both child maltreatment and domestic violence occur in up to 60 percent of the families in which either is present, States and communities should adopt assessments and intervention procedures aimed at enhancing the safety both of children and victims of domestic violence;
(13)
because of the limited resources available in low-income communities, Federal aid for the child protection system should be distributed with due regard to the relative financial need of the communities;
(14)
the Federal Government should assist States and communities with the fiscal, human, and technical resources necessary to develop and implement a successful and comprehensive child and family protection strategy; and
(15)
the Federal Government should provide leadership and assist communities in their child and family protection efforts by—
(A)
promoting coordinated planning among all levels of government;
(B)
generating and sharing knowledge relevant to child and family protection, including the development of models for service delivery;
(C)
strengthening the capacity of States to assist communities;
(D)
allocating financial resources to assist States in implementing community plans;
(E)
helping communities to carry out their child and family protection plans by promoting the competence of professional, paraprofessional, and volunteer resources; and
(F)
providing leadership to end the abuse and neglect of the nation's children and youth.
[42 U.S.C. 5101 note]
SEC. 3.

GENERAL DEFINITIONS.
In this Act—
(1)
the term “child” means a person who has not attained the lesser of—
(A)
the age of 18; or
(B)
except in the case of sexual abuse, the age specified by the child protection law of the State in which the child resides;
(2)
the term “child abuse and neglect” means, at a minimum, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation (including sexual abuse as determined under section 111), or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm;
(3)
the term “child with a disability” means a child with a disability as defined in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401), or an infant or toddler with a disability as defined in section 632 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1432);
(4)
the term “Governor” means the chief executive officer of a State;
(5)
the terms “Indian”, “Indian tribe”, and “tribal organization” have the meanings given the terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b);
(6)
the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(7)
except as provided in section 106(f), the term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and
(8)
the term “unaccompanied homeless youth” means an individual who is described in paragraphs (2) and (6) of section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a).
[42 U.S.C. 5101 note]
TITLE I—

GENERAL PROGRAM3
^3
Section 142 of Public Law 102–295 requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report concerning the measures being taken to assist States in implementing a voluntary reporting system for child abuse and neglect.
SEC. 101.

OFFICE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may establish an office to be known as the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect.
(b)

Purpose.—
The purpose of the Office established under subsection (a) shall be to execute and coordinate the functions and activities of this Act. In the event that such functions and activities are performed by another entity or entities within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Secretary shall ensure that such functions and activities are executed with the necessary expertise and in a fully coordinated manner involving regular intradepartmental and interdepartmental consultation with all agencies involved in child abuse and neglect activities.
[42 U.S.C. 5101]
SEC. 102.

ADVISORY BOARD ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
(a)

Appointment.—
The Secretary may appoint an advisory board to make recommendations to the Secretary and to the appropriate committees of Congress concerning specific issues relating to child abuse and neglect.
(b)

Solicitation of Nominations.—
The Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for the appointment of members of the advisory board under subsection (a).
(c)

Composition.—
In establishing the board under subsection (a), the Secretary shall appoint members from the general public who are individuals knowledgeable in child abuse and neglect prevention, intervention, treatment, or research, and with due consideration to representation of ethnic or racial minorities and diverse geographic areas, and who represent—
(1)
law (including the judiciary);
(2)
psychology (including child development);
(3)
social services (including child protective services);
(4)
health care providers (including pediatricians);
(5)
State and local government;
(6)
organizations providing services to disabled persons;
(7)
organizations providing services to adolescents;
(8)
teachers;
(9)
parent self-help organizations;
(10)
parents' groups;
(11)
voluntary groups;
(12)
family rights groups;
(13)
children's rights advocates; and
(14)
Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
(d)

Vacancies.—
Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(e)

Election of Officers.—
The board shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson at its first meeting from among the members of the board.
(f)

Duties.—
Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the board under subsection (a), the board shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report, or interim report, containing—
(1)
recommendations on coordinating Federal, State, tribal, and local child abuse and neglect activities with similar activities at the Federal, State, tribal, and local level pertaining to family violence prevention;
(2)
specific modifications needed in Federal, State, and tribal laws and programs to reduce the number of unfounded or unsubstantiated reports of child abuse or neglect while enhancing the ability to identify and substantiate legitimate cases of child abuse or neglect which place a child in danger; and
(3)
recommendations for modifications needed to facilitate coordinated national data collection with respect to child protection and child welfare.
[42 U.S.C. 5102]
SEC. 103.

NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE.
(a)

Establishment.—
The Secretary shall through the Department, or by one or more contracts of not less than 3 years duration let through a competition, establish a national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse and neglect.
(b)

Functions.—
The Secretary shall, through the clearinghouse established by subsection (a)—
(1)
maintain, coordinate, and disseminate information on effective programs, including private and community-based programs, that have demonstrated success with respect to the prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of child abuse or neglect and hold the potential for broad-scale implementation and replication;
(2)
maintain, coordinate, and disseminate information on the medical diagnosis and treatment of child abuse and neglect;
(3)
maintain and disseminate information on best practices relating to differential response;
(4)
maintain and disseminate information about the best practices used for achieving improvements in child protective systems;
(5)
maintain and disseminate information about the requirements of section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii) and best practices relating to the development of plans of safe care as described in such section for infants born and identified as being affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms, or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder;
(6)
maintain and disseminate information relating to—
(A)
the incidence of cases of child abuse and neglect in the United States;
(B)
the incidence of such cases in populations determined by the Secretary under section 105(a)(1) of the Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 5105 note); and
(C)
the incidence of any such cases related to substance abuse;
(7)
provide technical assistance upon request that may include an evaluation or identification of—
(A)
various methods and procedures for the investigation, assessment, and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases;
(B)
ways to mitigate psychological trauma to the child victim; and
(C)
effective programs carried out by the States under this Act;
(8)
collect and disseminate information relating to various training resources available at the State and local level to—
(A)
individuals who are engaged, or who intend to engage, in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and
(B)
appropriate State and local officials to assist in training law enforcement, legal, judicial, medical, mental health, education, child welfare, substance abuse treatment services, and domestic violence services personnel; and
(9)
collect and disseminate information, in conjunction with the National Resource Centers authorized in section 310(b) of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, on effective programs and best practices for developing and carrying out collaboration between entities providing child protective services and entities providing domestic violence services.
(c)

Coordination With Available Resources.—
(1)

In general.—
In establishing a national clearinghouse as required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(A)
consult with other Federal agencies that operate similar clearinghouses;
(B)
consult with the head of each agency involved with child abuse and neglect on the development of the components for information collection and management of such clearinghouse and on the mechanisms for the sharing of such information with other Federal agencies and clearinghouses;
(C)
develop a Federal data system involving the elements under subsection (b) which, to the extent practicable, coordinates existing Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local child welfare data systems which shall include—
(i)
standardized data on false, unfounded, unsubstantiated, and substantiated reports;
(ii)
information on the number of deaths due to child abuse and neglect;
(iii)
information about the incidence and characteristics of child abuse and neglect in circumstances in which domestic violence is present; and
(iv)
information about the incidence and characteristics of child abuse and neglect in cases related to substance abuse;
(D)
through a national data collection and analysis program and in consultation with appropriate State and local agencies and experts in the field, collect, compile, and make available State child abuse and neglect reporting information which, to the extent practical, shall be universal and case specific and integrated with other case-based foster care and adoption data collected by the Secretary;
(E)
compile, analyze, and publish a summary of the research conducted under section 104(a);
(F)
collect and disseminate information that describes best practices being used throughout the Nation for making appropriate referrals related to, and addressing, the physical, developmental, and mental health needs of abused and neglected children4; and
^4
The phrase ``abused and neglected childer'' probably should read ``victims of child abuse or neglect''. Section 112(3)(C) of Public Law 11–320 provides for an amendment to subparagraph (F) as follows: ``by striking `abused or neglected children''' and inserting `victims of child abuse or neglect'''. The amendment could not be executed because the word ``or'' in the matter proposed to be struck does not appear.
(G)
solicit public comment on the components of such clearinghouse.
(2)

Confidentiality requirement.—
In carrying out paragraph (1)(D), the Secretary shall ensure that methods are established and implemented to preserve the confidentiality of records relating to case specific data.
[42 U.S.C. 5104]
SEC. 104.

RESEARCH AND ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES.
(a)

Research.—
(1)

Topics.—
The Secretary shall, in consultation with other Federal agencies and recognized experts in the field, carry out a continuing interdisciplinary program of research, including longitudinal research, that is designed to provide information needed to better protect children from child abuse or neglect and to improve the well-being of victims of child abuse or neglect, with at least a portion of such research being field initiated. Such research program may focus on—
(A)
the nature and scope of child abuse and neglect;
(B)
causes, prevention, assessment, identification, treatment, cultural and socio-economic distinctions, and the consequences of child abuse and neglect, including the effects of child abuse and neglect on a child's development and the identification of successful early intervention services or other services that are needed;
(C)
effective approaches to improving the relationship and attachment of infants and toddlers who experience child abuse or neglect with their parents or primary caregivers in circumstances where reunification is appropriate;
(D)
appropriate, effective and culturally sensitive investigative, administrative, and judicial systems, including multidisciplinary, coordinated decisionmaking procedures with respect to cases of child abuse and neglect;
(E)
the evaluation and dissemination of best practices, including best practices to meet the needs of special populations, consistent with the goals of achieving improvements in the child protective services systems of the States in accordance with paragraphs (1) through (14) of section 106(a);
(F)
effective approaches to interagency collaboration between the child protection system and the juvenile justice system that improve the delivery of services and treatment, including methods for continuity of treatment plan and services as children transition between systems;
(G)
effective practices and programs to improve activities such as identification, screening, medical diagnosis, forensic diagnosis, health evaluations, and services, including activities that promote collaboration between—
(i)
the child protective service system; and
(ii)
(I)
the medical community, including providers of mental health and developmental disability services; and
(II)
providers of early childhood intervention services and special education for children who have been victims of child abuse or neglect;
(H)
an evaluation of the redundancies and gaps in the services in the field of child abuse and neglect prevention in order to make better use of resources;
(I)
effective collaborations, between the child protective system and domestic violence service providers, that provide for the safety of children exposed to domestic violence and their nonabusing parents and that improve the investigations, interventions, delivery of services, and treatments provided for such children and families;
(J)
the nature, scope, and practice of voluntary relinquishment for foster care or State guardianship of low-income children who need health services, including mental health services;
(K)
the impact of child abuse and neglect on the incidence and progression of disabilities;
(L)
the nature and scope of effective practices relating to differential response, including an analysis of best practices conducted by the States;
(M)
child abuse and neglect issues facing Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, including providing recommendations for improving the collection of child abuse and neglect data from Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities;
(N)
the information on the national incidence of child abuse and neglect specified in clauses (i) through (x) of subparagraph (O); and
(O)
the national incidence of child abuse and neglect, including—
(i)
the extent to which incidents of child abuse and neglect are increasing or decreasing in number and severity;
(ii)
the incidence of substantiated and unsubstantiated reported child abuse and neglect cases;
(iii)
the number of substantiated cases that result in a judicial finding of child abuse or neglect or related criminal court convictions;
(iv)
the extent to which the number of unsubstantiated, unfounded and false reported cases of child abuse or neglect have contributed to the inability of a State to respond effectively to serious cases of child abuse or neglect;
(v)
the extent to which the lack of adequate resources and the lack of adequate training of individuals required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect have contributed to the inability of a State to respond effectively to serious cases of child abuse and neglect;
(vi)
the number of unsubstantiated, false, or unfounded reports that have resulted in a child being placed in substitute care, and the duration of such placement;
(vii)
the extent to which unsubstantiated reports return as more serious cases of child abuse or neglect;
(viii)
the incidence and prevalence of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and physical and emotional neglect in substitute care;
(ix)
the incidence and prevalence of child maltreatment by a wide array of demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race, family structure, household relationship (including the living arrangement of the resident parent and family size), school enrollment and education attainment, disability, grandparents as caregivers, labor force status, work status in previous year, and income in previous year;
(x)
the extent to which reports of suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as intrastate, interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal, are being screened out solely on the basis of the cross-jurisdictional complications; and
(xi)
the incidence and outcomes of child abuse and neglect allegations reported within the context of divorce, custody, or other family court proceedings, and the interaction between this venue and the child protective services system.
(2)

Research.—
The Secretary shall conduct research on the national incidence of child abuse and neglect, including the information on the national incidence on child abuse and neglect specified in clauses (i) through (xi) of paragraph (1)(O).
(3)

Report.—
Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate a report that contains the results of the research conducted under paragraph (2).
(4)

Priorities.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary shall establish research priorities for making grants or contracts for purposes of carrying out paragraph (1).
(B)

Public comment.—
Not later than 1 years5 after the date of enactment of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public comment concerning the priorities proposed under subparagraph (A) and maintain an official record of such public comment.
^5
So in law. Probably should read “1 year”.
(4)6

Study on shaken baby syndrome.—
The Secretary shall conduct a study that—
^6
Two paragraph (4)'s so in law. See amendment made by section 113(a)(5) of Public Law 111–320.
(A)
identifies data collected on shaken baby syndrome;
(B)
determines the feasibility of collecting uniform, accurate data from all States regarding—
(i)
incidence rates of shaken baby syndrome;
(ii)
characteristics of perpetrators of shaken baby syndrome, including age, gender, relation to victim, access to prevention materials and resources, and history of substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental illness; and
(iii)
characteristics of victims of shaken baby syndrome, including gender, date of birth, date of injury, date of death (if applicable), and short- and long-term injuries sustained.
(b)

Provision of Technical Assistance.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to State and local public and private agencies and community-based organizations, including disability organizations and persons who work with children with disabilities and providers of mental health, substance abuse treatment, and domestic violence prevention services, to assist such agencies and organizations in planning, improving, developing, and carrying out programs and activities, including replicating successful program models, relating to the prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
(2)

Evaluation.—
Such technical assistance may include an evaluation or identification of—
(A)
various methods and procedures for the investigation, assessment, and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases;
(B)
ways to mitigate psychological trauma to the child victim;
(C)
effective programs carried out by the States under titles I and II; and
(D)
effective approaches being utilized to link child protective service agencies with health care, mental health care, and developmental services to improve forensic diagnosis and health evaluations, and barriers and shortages to such linkages.
(3)

Dissemination.—
The Secretary may provide for and disseminate information relating to various training resources available at the State and local level to—
(A)
individuals who are engaged, or who intend to engage, in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and
(B)
appropriate State and local officials to assist in training law enforcement, legal, judicial, medical, mental health, education, child welfare, substance abuse, and domestic violence services personnel in appropriate methods of interacting during investigative, administrative, and judicial proceedings with children who have been subjected to, or whom the personnel suspect have been subjected to, child abuse or neglect.
(c)

Authority to Make Grants or Enter Into Contracts.—
(1)

In general.—
The functions of the Secretary under this section may be carried out either directly or through grant or contract.
(2)

Duration.—
Grants under this section shall be made for periods of not more than 5 years.
(3)

Preference for long-term studies.—
In making grants for purposes of conducting research under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications for long-term projects.
(d)

Peer Review for Grants.—
(1)

Establishment of peer review process.—
(A)

In general.—
To enhance the quality and usefulness of research in the field of child abuse and neglect, the Secretary shall, in consultation with experts in the field and other Federal agencies, establish a formal, rigorous, and meritorious peer review process for purposes of evaluating and reviewing applications for assistance through a grant or contract under this section and determining the relative merits of the project for which such assistance is requested.
(B)

Members.—
In establishing the process required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall only appoint to the peer review panels members who—
(i)
are experts in the field of child abuse and neglect or related disciplines, with appropriate expertise related to the applications to be reviewed; and
(ii)
are not individuals who are officers or employees of the Administration for Children and Families.
(C)

Meetings.—
The peer review panels shall meet as often as is necessary to facilitate the expeditious review of applications for grants and contracts under this section, but shall meet not less often than once a year.
(D)

Criteria and guidelines.—
The Secretary shall ensure that the peer review panel utilizes scientifically valid review criteria and scoring guidelines in the review of the applications for grants and contracts.
(2)

Review of applications for assistance.—
Each peer review panel established under paragraph (1)(A) that reviews any application for a grant shall—
(A)
determine and evaluate the merit of each project described in such application;
(B)
rank such application with respect to all other applications it reviews in the same priority area for the fiscal year involved, according to the relative merit of all of the projects that are described in such application and for which financial assistance is requested; and
(C)
make recommendations to the Secretary concerning whether the application for the project shall be approved.
The Secretary shall award grants under this section on the basis of competitive review.
(3)

Notice of approval.—
(A)

Meritorious projects.—
The Secretary shall provide grants and contracts under this section from among the projects which the peer review panels established under paragraph (1)(A) have determined to have merit.
(B)

Explanation.—
In the instance in which the Secretary approves an application for a program without having approved all applications ranked above such application (as determined under paragraph (2)(B)), the Secretary shall append to the approved application a detailed explanation of the reasons relied on for approving the application and for failing to approve each pending application that is superior in merit, as indicated on the list under paragraph (2)(B).
(e)

Demonstration Programs and Projects.—
The Secretary may award grants to, and enter into contracts with, entities that are States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, or public or private agencies or organizations (or combinations of such entities) for time-limited, demonstration projects for the following:
(1)

Promotion of safe, family-friendly physical environments for visitation and exchange.—
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities to assist such entities in establishing and operating safe, family-friendly physical environments—
(A)
for court-ordered, supervised visitation between children and abusing parents; and
(B)
to facilitate the safe exchange of children for visits with noncustodial parents in cases of domestic violence.
(2)

Education identification, prevention, and treatment.—
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities for projects that provide educational identification, prevention, and treatment services in cooperation with child care and early childhood education and care providers, preschools, and elementary and secondary schools.
(3)

Risk and safety assessment tools.—
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities for projects that provide for the development of research-based strategies for risk and safety assessments relating to child abuse and neglect.
(4)

Training.—
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities for projects that involve research-based strategies for innovative training for mandated child abuse and neglect reporters.
[42 U.S.C. 5105]
SEC. 105.

GRANTS TO STATES, INDIAN TRIBES OR TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
(a)

Grants for Programs and Projects.—
The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts with, entities that are States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, or public agencies or private agencies or organizations (or combinations of such entities) for programs and projects for the following purposes:
(1)

Training programs.—
The Secretary may award grants to public or private organizations under this subsection—
(A)
for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel in the fields of health care, medicine, law enforcement, judiciary, social work and child protection, education, child care, and other relevant fields, or individuals such as court appointed special advocates (CASAs) and guardian ad litem, who are engaged in, or intend to work in, the field of prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, including the links between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect;
(B)
to improve the recruitment, selection, and training of volunteers serving in public and private children, youth, and family service organizations in order to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(C)
for the establishment of resource centers for the purpose of providing information and training to professionals working in the field of child abuse and neglect;
(D)
for training to enhance linkages among child protective service agencies and health care agencies, entities providing physical and mental health services, community resources, and developmental disability agencies, to improve screening, forensic diagnosis, and health and developmental evaluations, and for partnerships between child protective service agencies and health care agencies that support the coordinated use of existing Federal, State, local, and private funding to meet the health evaluation needs of children who have been subjects of substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect;
(E)
for the training of personnel in best practices to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities, including promoting interagency collaboration;
(F)
for the training of personnel in best practices to promote collaboration with the families from the initial time of contact during the investigation through treatment;
(G)
for the training of personnel regarding the legal duties of such personnel and their responsibilities to protect the legal rights of children and families;
(H)
for the training of personnel in childhood development including the unique needs of children under age 3;
(I)
for improving the training of supervisory and nonsupervisory child welfare workers;
(J)
for enabling State child welfare agencies to coordinate the provision of services with State and local health care agencies, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment agencies, mental health agencies, other public and private welfare agencies, and agencies that provide early intervention services to promote child safety, permanence, and family stability;
(K)
for cross training for child protective service workers in research-based strategies for recognizing situations of substance abuse, domestic violence, and neglect;
(L)
for developing, implementing, or operating information and education programs or training programs designed to improve the provision of services to infants or toddlers with disabilities with life-threatening conditions for—
(i)
professionals and paraprofessional personnel concerned with the welfare of infants or toddlers with disabilities with life-threatening conditions, including personnel employed in child protective services programs and health care facilities; and
(ii)
the parents of such infants; and
(M)
for the training of personnel in best practices relating to the provision of differential response.
(2)

Triage procedures.—
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to public and private agencies that demonstrate innovation in responding to reports of child abuse and neglect, including programs of collaborative partnerships between the State child protective services agency, community social service agencies and family support programs, law enforcement agencies, developmental disability agencies, substance abuse treatment entities, health care entities, domestic violence prevention entities, mental health service entities, schools, churches and synagogues, and other community agencies, to allow for the establishment of a triage system that—
(A)
accepts, screens, and assesses reports received to determine which such reports require an intensive intervention and which require voluntary referral to another agency, program, or project;
(B)
provides, either directly or through referral, a variety of community-linked services to assist families in preventing child abuse and neglect; and
(C)
provides further investigation and intensive intervention when the child's safety is in jeopardy.
(3)

Mutual support programs.—
The Secretary may award grants to private organizations to establish or maintain a national network of mutual support, leadership, and self-help programs as a means of strengthening families in partnership with their communities.
(4)

Kinship care.—
The Secretary may award grants to public and private entities to assist such entities in developing or implementing procedures using adult relatives as the preferred placement for children removed from their home, where such relatives are determined to be capable of providing a safe nurturing environment for the child and where such relatives comply with the State child protection standards.
(5)

Linkages among child protective service agencies and public health, mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and domestic violence service agencies.—
The Secretary may award grants to entities that provide linkages among State or local child protective service agencies and public health, mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and domestic violence service agencies, and entities that carry out community-based programs, for the purpose of establishing linkages that are designed to ensure that a greater number of substantiated victims of child maltreatment have their physical health, mental health, and developmental needs appropriately diagnosed and treated, in accordance with all applicable Federal and State privacy laws.
(6)

Collaborations between child protective service entities and domestic violence service entities.—
The Secretary may award grants to public or private agencies and organizations under this section to develop or expand effective collaborations between child protective service entities and domestic violence service entities to improve collaborative investigation and intervention procedures, provision for the safety of the nonabusing parent involved and children, and provision of services to children exposed to domestic violence that also support the caregiving role of the non-abusing parent.
(7)

Grants to states to improve and coordinate their response to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of infants affected by substance use.—
(A)

Program authorized.—
The Secretary is authorized to make grants to States for the purpose of assisting child welfare agencies, social services agencies, substance use disorder treatment agencies, hospitals with labor and delivery units, medical staff, public health and mental health agencies, and maternal and child health agencies to facilitate collaboration in developing, updating, implementing, and monitoring plans of safe care described in section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii). Section 112(a)(2) shall not apply to the program authorized under this paragraph.
(B)

Distribution of funds.—
(i)

Reservations.—
Of the amounts made available to carry out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reserve—
(I)
no more than 3 percent for the purposes described in subparagraph (G); and
(II)
up to 3 percent for grants to Indian Tribes and tribal organizations to address the needs of infants born with, and identified as being affected by, substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their families or caregivers, which to the extent practicable, shall be consistent with the uses of funds described under subparagraph (D).
(ii)

Allotments to states and territories.—
The Secretary shall allot the amount made available to carry out subparagraph (A) that remains after application of clause (i) to each State that applies for such a grant, in an amount equal to the sum of—
(I)
$500,000; and
(II)
an amount that bears the same relationship to any funds made available to carry out subparagraph (A) and remaining after application of clause (i), as the number of live births in the State in the previous calendar year bears to the number of live births in all States in such year.
(iii)

Ratable reduction.—
If the amount made available to carry out subparagraph (A) is insufficient to satisfy the requirements of clause (ii), the Secretary shall ratably reduce each allotment to a State.
(C)

Application.—
A State desiring a grant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include—
(i)
a description of—
(I)
the impact of substance use disorder in such State, including with respect to the substance or class of substances with the highest incidence of abuse in the previous year in such State, including—
- (aa)
the prevalence of substance use disorder in such State;
- (bb)
the aggregate rate of births in the State of infants affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (as determined by hospitals, insurance claims, claims submitted to the State Medicaid program, or other records), if available and to the extent practicable; and
- (cc)
the number of infants identified, for whom a plan of safe care was developed, and for whom a referral was made for appropriate services, as reported under section 106(d)(18);
(II)
the challenges the State faces in developing, implementing, and monitoring plans of safe care in accordance with section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii);
(III)
the State’s lead agency for the grant program and how that agency will coordinate with relevant State entities and programs, including the child welfare agency, the substance use disorder treatment agency, hospitals with labor and delivery units, health care providers, the public health and mental health agencies, programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that provide substance use disorder treatment for women, the State Medicaid program, the State agency administering the block grant program under title V of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), the State agency administering the programs funded under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), the maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting program under section 511 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 711), the State judicial system, and other agencies, as determined by the Secretary, and Indian Tribes and tribal organizations, as appropriate, to implement the activities under this paragraph;
(IV)
how the State will monitor local development and implementation of plans of safe care, in accordance with section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii)(II), including how the State will monitor to ensure plans of safe care address differences between substance use disorder and medically supervised substance use, including for the treatment of a substance use disorder;
(V)
if applicable, how the State plans to utilize funding authorized under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.) to assist in carrying out any plan of safe care, including such funding authorized under section 471(e) of such Act (as in effect on October 1, 2018) for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services and in-home parent skill-based programs and funding authorized under such section 472(j) (as in effect on October 1, 2018) for children with a parent in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse; and
(VI)
an assessment of the treatment and other services and programs available in the State to effectively carry out any plan of safe care developed, including identification of needed treatment, and other services and programs to ensure the well-being of young children and their families affected by substance use disorder, such as programs carried out under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and comprehensive early childhood development services and programs such as Head Start programs;
(ii)
a description of how the State plans to use funds for activities described in subparagraph (D) for the purposes of ensuring State compliance with requirements under clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 106(b)(2)(B); and
(iii)
an assurance that the State will comply with requirements to refer a child identified as substance-exposed to early intervention services as required pursuant to a grant under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.).
(D)

Uses of funds.—
Funds awarded to a State under this paragraph may be used for the following activities, which may be carried out by the State directly, or through grants or subgrants, contracts, or cooperative agreements:
(i)
Improving State and local systems with respect to the development and implementation of plans of safe care, which—
(I)
shall include parent and caregiver engagement, as required under section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii)(I), regarding available treatment and service options, which may include resources available for pregnant, perinatal, and postnatal women; and
(II)
may include activities such as—
- (aa)
developing policies, procedures, or protocols for the administration or development of evidence-based and validated screening tools for infants who may be affected by substance use withdrawal symptoms or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and pregnant, perinatal, and postnatal women whose infants may be affected by substance use withdrawal symptoms or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder;
- (bb)
improving assessments used to determine the needs of the infant and family;
- (cc)
improving ongoing case management services;
- (dd)
improving access to treatment services, which may be prior to the pregnant woman’s delivery date; and
- (ee)
keeping families safely together when it is in the best interest of the child.
(ii)
Developing policies, procedures, or protocols in consultation and coordination with health professionals, public and private health facilities, and substance use disorder treatment agencies to ensure that—
(I)
appropriate notification to child protective services is made in a timely manner, as required under section 106(b)(2)(B)(ii);
(II)
a plan of safe care is in place, in accordance with section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii), before the infant is discharged from the birth or health care facility; and
(III)
such health and related agency professionals are trained on how to follow such protocols and are aware of the supports that may be provided under a plan of safe care.
(iii)
Training health professionals and health system leaders, child welfare workers, substance use disorder treatment agencies, and other related professionals such as home visiting agency staff and law enforcement in relevant topics including—
(I)
State mandatory reporting laws established under section 106(b)(2)(B)(i) and the referral and process requirements for notification to child protective services when child abuse or neglect reporting is not mandated;
(II)
the co-occurrence of pregnancy and substance use disorder, and implications of prenatal exposure;
(III)
the clinical guidance about treating substance use disorder in pregnant and postpartum women;
(IV)
appropriate screening and interventions for infants affected by substance use disorder, withdrawal symptoms, or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the requirements under section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii); and
(V)
appropriate multigenerational strategies to address the mental health needs of the parent and child together.
(iv)
Establishing partnerships, agreements, or memoranda of understanding between the lead agency and other entities (including health professionals, health facilities, child welfare professionals, juvenile and family court judges, substance use and mental disorder treatment programs, early childhood education programs, maternal and child health and early intervention professionals (including home visiting providers), peer-to-peer recovery programs such as parent mentoring programs, and housing agencies) to facilitate the implementation of, and compliance with, section 106(b)(2) and clause (ii) of this subparagraph, in areas which may include—
(I)
developing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention process for infants, pregnant women, and their families who are affected by substance use disorder, withdrawal symptoms, or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, that includes meaningful engagement with and takes into account the unique needs of each family and addresses differences between medically supervised substance use, including for the treatment of substance use disorder, and substance use disorder;
(II)
ensuring that treatment approaches for serving infants, pregnant women, and perinatal and postnatal women whose infants may be affected by substance use, withdrawal symptoms, or a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, are designed to, where appropriate, keep infants with their mothers during both inpatient and outpatient treatment; and
(III)
increasing access to all evidence-based medication-assisted treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration, behavioral therapy, and counseling services for the treatment of substance use disorders, as appropriate.
(v)
Developing and updating systems of technology for improved data collection and monitoring under section 106(b)(2)(B)(iii), including existing electronic medical records, to measure the outcomes achieved through the plans of safe care, including monitoring systems to meet the requirements of this Act and submission of performance measures.
(E)

Reporting.—
Each State that receives funds under this paragraph, for each year such funds are received, shall submit a report to the Secretary, disaggregated by geographic location, economic status, and major racial and ethnic groups, except that such disaggregation shall not be required if the results would reveal personally identifiable information on, with respect to infants identified under section 106(b)(2)(B)(ii)—
(i)
the number who experienced removal associated with parental substance use;
(ii)
the number who experienced removal and subsequently are reunified with parents, and the length of time between such removal and reunification;
(iii)
the number who are referred to community providers without a child protection case;
(iv)
the number who receive services while in the care of their birth parents;
(v)
the number who receive post-reunification services within 1 year after a reunification has occurred; and
(vi)
the number who experienced a return to out-of-home care within 1 year after reunification.
(F)

Secretary’s report to congress.—
The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that includes the information described in subparagraph (E) and recommendations or observations on the challenges, successes, and lessons derived from implementation of the grant program.
(G)

Assisting states’ implementation.—
The Secretary shall use the amount reserved under subparagraph (B)(i)(I) to provide written guidance and technical assistance to support States in complying with and implementing this paragraph, which shall include—
(i)
technical assistance, including programs of in-depth technical assistance, to additional States, territories, and Indian Tribes and tribal organizations in accordance with the substance-exposed infant initiative developed by the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare;
(ii)
guidance on the requirements of this Act with respect to infants born with and identified as being affected by substance use or withdrawal symptoms or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, as described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 106(b)(2)(B), including by—
(I)
enhancing States’ understanding of requirements and flexibilities under the law, including by clarifying key terms;
(II)
addressing state-identified challenges with developing, implementing, and monitoring plans of safe care, including those reported under subparagraph (C)(i)(II);
(III)
disseminating best practices on implementation of plans of safe care, on such topics as differential response, collaboration and coordination, and identification and delivery of services for different populations, while recognizing needs of different populations and varying community approaches across States; and
(IV)
helping States improve the long-term safety and well-being of young children and their families;
(iii)
supporting State efforts to develop information technology systems to manage plans of safe care; and
(iv)
preparing the Secretary’s report to Congress described in subparagraph (F).
(H)

Sunset.—
The authority under this paragraph shall sunset on September 30, 2023.
(8)

Child sexual abuse awareness field-initiated grants.—
(A)

In general.—
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities, for periods of up to 5 years, in support of field-initiated innovation projects that advance, establish, or implement comprehensive, innovative, evidence-based or evidence-informed child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs by—
(i)
improving student awareness of child sexual abuse in an age-appropriate manner, including how to recognize, prevent, and safely report child sexual abuse;
(ii)
training teachers, school employees, and other mandatory reporters and adults who work with children in a professional or volunteer capacity, including with respect to recognizing child sexual abuse and safely reporting child sexual abuse; or
(iii)
providing information to parents and guardians of students about child sexual abuse awareness and prevention, including how to prevent, recognize, respond to, and report child sexual abuse and how to discuss child sexual abuse with a child.
(B)

Reporting.—
Each entity receiving a grant under subparagraph (A) shall submit an annual report to the Secretary, for the duration of the grant period, on the projects carried out using such grant, including the number of participants, the services provided, and the outcomes of the projects, including participant evaluations.
(b)

Discretionary Grants.—
In addition to grants or contracts made under subsection (a), grants or contracts under this section may be used for the following:
(1)
Respite and crisis nursery programs provided by community-based organizations under the direction and supervision of hospitals.
(2)
Respite and crisis nursery programs provided by community-based organizations.
(3)
Programs based within children's hospitals or other pediatric and adolescent care facilities, that provide model approaches for improving medical diagnosis of child abuse and neglect and for health evaluations of children for whom a report of maltreatment has been substantiated.
(4)
(A)
Providing hospital-based information and referral services to—
(i)
parents of children with disabilities; and
(ii)
children who have been victims of child abuse or neglect and their parents.
(B)
Except as provided in subparagraph (C)(iii), services provided under a grant received under this paragraph shall be provided at the hospital involved—
(i)
upon the birth or admission of a child with disabilities; and
(ii)
upon the treatment of a child for child abuse and neglect.
(C)
Services, as determined as appropriate by the grantee, provided under a grant received under this paragraph shall be hospital-based and shall consist of—
(i)
the provision of notice to parents that information relating to community services is available;
(ii)
the provision of appropriate information to parents of a child with disabilities regarding resources in the community, particularly parent training resources, that will assist such parents in caring for their child;
(iii)
the provision of appropriate information to parents of a child who has been a victim of child abuse or neglect regarding resources in the community, particularly parent training resources, that will assist such parents in caring for their child and reduce the possibility of child abuse and neglect;
(iv)
the provision of appropriate follow-up services to parents of a child described in subparagraph (B) after the child has left the hospital; and
(v)
where necessary, assistance in coordination of community services available to parents of children described in subparagraph (B).
The grantee shall assure that parental involvement described in this subparagraph is voluntary.
(D)
For purposes of this paragraph, a qualified grantee is an acute care hospital that—
(i)
is in a combination with—
(I)
a health-care provider organization;
(II)
a child welfare organization;
(III)
a disability organization; and
(IV)
a State child protection agency;
(ii)
submits an application for a grant under this paragraph that is approved by the Secretary;
(iii)
maintains an office in the hospital involved for purposes of providing services under such grant;
(iv)
provides assurances to the Secretary that in the conduct of the project the confidentiality of medical, social, and personal information concerning any person described in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be maintained, and shall be disclosed only to qualified persons providing required services described in subparagraph (C) for purposes relating to conduct of the project; and
(v)
assumes legal responsibility for carrying out the terms and conditions of the grant.
(E)
In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall—
(i)
give priority under this section for two grants under this paragraph, provided that one grant shall be made to provide services in an urban setting and one grant shall be made to provide services in rural setting; and
(ii)
encourage qualified grantees to combine the amounts received under the grant with other funds available to such grantees.
(5)
Such other innovative programs and projects that show promise of preventing and treating cases of child abuse and neglect as the Secretary may approve.
(c)

Evaluation.—
In making grants for projects under this section, the Secretary shall require all such projects to be evaluated for their effectiveness. Funding for such evaluations shall be provided either as a stated percentage of a demonstration grant or as a separate grant or contract entered into by the Secretary for the purpose of evaluating a particular demonstration project or group of projects. In the case of an evaluation performed by the recipient of a grant, the Secretary shall make available technical assistance for the evaluation, where needed, including the use of a rigorous application of scientific evaluation techniques.
[42 U.S.C. 5106]
SEC. 106.

GRANTS TO STATES FOR CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
(a)

Development and Operation Grants.—
The Secretary shall make grants to the States, from allotments made under subsection (f) for each State that applies for a grant under this section, for purposes of assisting the States in improving the child protective services system of each such State in—
(1)
the intake, assessment, screening, and investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect;
(2)
(A)
creating and improving the use of multidisciplinary teams and interagency, intra-agency, interstate, and intrastate protocols to enhance investigations; and
(B)
improving legal preparation and representation, including—
(i)
procedures for appealing and responding to appeals of substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect; and
(ii)
provisions for the appointment of an individual appointed to represent a child in judicial proceedings;
(3)
case management, including ongoing case monitoring, and delivery of services and treatment provided to children and their families;
(4)
enhancing the general child protective system by developing, improving, and implementing risk and safety assessment tools and protocols, including the use of differential response;
(5)
developing and updating systems of technology that support the program and track reports of child abuse and neglect from intake through final disposition and allow interstate and intrastate information exchange;
(6)
developing, strengthening, and facilitating training including—
(A)
training regarding research-based strategies, including the use of differential response, to promote collaboration with the families;
(B)
training regarding the legal duties of such individuals;
(C)
personal safety training for case workers; and
(D)
training in early childhood, child, and adolescent development;
(7)
improving the skills, qualifications, and availability of individuals providing services to children and families, and the supervisors of such individuals, through the child protection system, including improvements in the recruitment and retention of caseworkers;
(8)
developing, facilitating the use of, and implementing research-based strategies and training protocols for individuals mandated to report child abuse and neglect;
(9)
developing, implementing, or operating programs to assist in obtaining or coordinating necessary services for families of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including—
(A)
existing social and health services;
(B)
financial assistance;
(C)
services necessary to facilitate adoptive placement of any such infants who have been relinquished for adoption; and
(D)
the use of differential response in preventing child abuse and neglect;
(10)
developing and delivering information to improve public education relating to the role and responsibilities of the child protection system and the nature and basis for reporting suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect, including the use of differential response;
(11)
developing and enhancing the capacity of community-based programs to integrate shared leadership strategies between parents and professionals to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect at the neighborhood level;
(12)
supporting and enhancing interagency collaboration between the child protection system and the juvenile justice system for improved delivery of services and treatment, including methods for continuity of treatment plan and services as children transition between systems;
(13)
supporting and enhancing interagency collaboration among public health agencies, agencies in the child protective service system, and agencies carrying out private community-based programs—
(A)
to provide child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment services (including linkages with education systems), and the use of differential response; and
(B)
to address the health needs, including mental health needs, of children identified as victims of child abuse or neglect;,7 including supporting prompt, comprehensive health and developmental evaluations for children who are the subject of substantiated child maltreatment reports; or
^7
So in law.
(14)
developing and implementing procedures for collaboration among child protective services, domestic violence services, and other agencies in—
(A)
investigations, interventions, and the delivery of services and treatment provided to children and families, including the use of differential response, where appropriate; and
(B)
the provision of services that assist children exposed to domestic violence, and that also support the caregiving role of their nonabusing parents.
(b)

Eligibility Requirements.—
(1)

State plan.—
(A)

In general.—
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary a State plan that specifies the areas of the child protective services system described in subsection (a) that the State will address with amounts received under the grant.
(B)

Duration of plan.—
Each State plan shall—
(i)
remain in effect for the duration of the State's participation under this section; and
(ii)
be periodically reviewed and revised as necessary by the State to reflect changes in the State's strategies and programs under this section.
(C)

Additional information.—
The State shall provide notice to the Secretary—
(i)
of any substantive changes, including any change to State law or regulations, relating to the prevention of child abuse and neglect that may affect the eligibility of the State under this section; and
(ii)
of any significant changes in how funds provided under this section are used to support activities described in this section, which may differ from the activities described in the current State application.
(2)

Contents.—
A State plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain a description of the activities that the State will carry out using amounts received under the grant to achieve the objectives of this title, including—
(A)
an assurance that the State plan, to the maximum extent practicable, is coordinated with the State plan under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) relating to child welfare services and family preservation and family support services;
(B)
an assurance in the form of a certification by the Governor of the State that the State has in effect and is enforcing a State law, or has in effect and is operating a statewide program, relating to child abuse and neglect that includes—
(i)
provisions or procedures for an individual to report known and suspected instances of child abuse and neglect, including a State law for mandatory reporting by individuals required to report such instances;
(ii)
policies and procedures (including appropriate referrals to child protection service systems and for other appropriate services) to address the needs of infants born with and identified as being affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure, or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, including a requirement that health care providers involved in the delivery or care of such infants notify the child protective services system of the occurrence of such condition in such infants, except that such notification shall not be construed to—
(I)
establish a definition under Federal law of what constitutes child abuse or neglect; or
(II)
require prosecution for any illegal action;
(iii)
the development of a plan of safe care for the infant born and identified as being affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms, or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to ensure the safety and well-being of such infant following release from the care of health care providers, including through—
(I)8
addressing the health and substance use disorder treatment needs of the infant and affected family or caregiver; and
^8
Margins for subclauses (I) and (II) are so in law.
(II)8
the development and implementation by the State of monitoring systems regarding the implementation of such plans to determine whether and in what manner local entities are providing, in accordance with State requirements, referrals to and delivery of appropriate services for the infant and affected family or caregiver;
(iv)
procedures for the immediate screening, risk and safety assessment, and prompt investigation of such reports;
(v)
triage procedures, including the use of differential response, for the appropriate referral of a child not at risk of imminent harm to a community organization or voluntary preventive service;
(vi)
procedures for immediate steps to be taken to ensure and protect the safety of a victim of child abuse or neglect and of any other child under the same care who may also be in danger of child abuse or neglect and ensuring their placement in a safe environment;
(vii)
provisions for immunity from civil or criminal liability under State and local laws and regulations for individuals making good faith reports of suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect, or who otherwise provide information or assistance, including medical evaluations or consultations, in connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention pursuant to a good faith report of child abuse or neglect;
(viii)
methods to preserve the confidentiality of all records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the child's parents or guardians, including requirements ensuring that reports and records made and maintained pursuant to the purposes of this Act shall only be made available to—
(I)
individuals who are the subject of the report;
(II)
Federal, State, or local government entities, or any agent of such entities, as described in clause (ix);
(III)
child abuse citizen review panels;
(IV)
child fatality review panels;
(V)
a grand jury or court, upon a finding that information in the record is necessary for the determination of an issue before the court or grand jury; and
(VI)
other entities or classes of individuals statutorily authorized by the State to receive such information pursuant to a legitimate State purpose;
(ix)
provisions to require a State to disclose confidential information to any Federal, State, or local government entity, or any agent of such entity, that has a need for such information in order to carry out its responsibilities under law to protect children from child abuse and neglect;
(x)
provisions which allow for public disclosure of the findings or information about the case of child abuse or neglect which has resulted in a child fatality or near fatality;
(xi)
the cooperation of State law enforcement officials, court of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate State agencies providing human services in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse and neglect;
(xii)
provisions requiring, and procedures in place that facilitate the prompt expungement of any records that are accessible to the general public or are used for purposes of employment or other background checks in cases determined to be unsubstantiated or false, except that nothing in this section shall prevent State child protective services agencies from keeping information on unsubstantiated reports in their casework files to assist in future risk and safety assessment;
(xiii)
provisions and procedures requiring that in every case involving a victim of child abuse or neglect which results in a judicial proceeding, a guardian ad litem, who has received training appropriate to the role, including training in early childhood, child, and adolescent development, and who may be an attorney or a court appointed special advocate who has received training appropriate to that role (or both), shall be appointed to represent the child in such proceedings—
(I)
to obtain first-hand, a clear understanding of the situation and needs of the child; and
(II)
to make recommendations to the court concerning the best interests of the child;
(xiv)
the establishment of citizen review panels in accordance with subsection (c);
(xv)
provisions, procedures, and mechanisms—
(I)
for the expedited termination of parental rights in the case of any infant determined to be abandoned under State law; and
(II)
by which individuals who disagree with an official finding of child abuse or neglect can appeal such finding;
(xvi)
provisions, procedures, and mechanisms that assure that the State does not require reunification of a surviving child with a parent who has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction—
(I)
to have committed murder (which would have been an offense under section 1111(a) of title 18, United States Code, if the offense had occurred in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States) of another child of such parent;
(II)
to have committed voluntary manslaughter (which would have been an offense under section 1112(a) of title 18, United States Code, if the offense had occurred in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States) of another child of such parent;
(III)
to have aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such murder or voluntary manslaughter;
(IV)
to have committed a felony assault that results in the serious bodily injury to the surviving child or another child of such parent;
(V)
to have committed sexual abuse against the surviving child or another child of such parent; or
(VI)
to be required to register with a sex offender registry under section 113(a) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16913(a));
(xvii)
an assurance that, upon the implementation by the State of the provisions, procedures, and mechanisms under clause (xvi), conviction of any one of the felonies listed in clause (xvi) constitute grounds under State law for the termination of parental rights of the convicted parent as to the surviving children (although case-by-case determinations of whether or not to seek termination of parental rights shall be within the sole discretion of the State);
(xviii)
provisions and procedures to require that a representative of the child protective services agency shall, at the initial time of contact with the individual subject to a child abuse or neglect investigation, advise the individual of the complaints or allegations made against the individual, in a manner that is consistent with laws protecting the rights of the informant;
(xix)
provisions addressing the training of representatives of the child protective services system regarding the legal duties of the representatives, which may consist of various methods of informing such representatives of such duties, in order to protect the legal rights and safety of children and families from the initial time of contact during investigation through treatment;
(xx)
provisions and procedures for improving the training, retention, and supervision of caseworkers;
(xxi)
provisions and procedures for referral of a child under the age of 3 who is involved in a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect to early intervention services funded under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);
(xxii)
provisions and procedures for requiring criminal background record checks that meet the requirements of section 471(a)(20) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(20)) for prospective foster and adoptive parents and other adult relatives and non-relatives residing in the household;
(xxiii)
provisions for systems of technology that support the State child protective service system described in subsection (a) and track reports of child abuse and neglect from intake through final disposition;
(xxiv)
provisions and procedures requiring identification and assessment of all reports involving children known or suspected to be victims of sex trafficking (as defined in section 103(10) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102 (10)); and
(xxv)
provisions and procedures for training child protective services workers about identifying, assessing, and providing comprehensive services for children who are sex trafficking victims, including efforts to coordinate with State law enforcement, juvenile justice, and social service agencies such as runaway and homeless youth shelters to serve this population;
(C)
an assurance that the State has in place procedures for responding to the reporting of medical neglect (including instances of withholding of medically indicated treatment from infants with disabilities who have life-threatening conditions), procedures or programs, or both (within the State child protective services system), to provide for—
(i)
coordination and consultation with individuals designated by and within appropriate health-care facilities;
(ii)
prompt notification by individuals designated by and within appropriate health-care facilities of cases of suspected medical neglect (including instances of withholding of medically indicated treatment from infants with disabilities who have life-threatening conditions); and
(iii)
authority, under State law, for the State child protective services system to pursue any legal remedies, including the authority to initiate legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, as may be necessary to prevent the withholding of medically indicated treatment from infants with disabilities who have life-threatening conditions;
(D)
a description of—
(i)
the services to be provided under the grant to individuals, families, or communities, either directly or through referrals aimed at preventing the occurrence of child abuse and neglect;
(ii)
the training to be provided under the grant to support direct line and supervisory personnel in report taking, screening, assessment, decision making, and referral for investigating suspected instances of child abuse and neglect;
(iii)
the training to be provided under the grant for individuals who are required to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect;
(iv)
policies and procedures encouraging the appropriate involvement of families in decisionmaking pertaining to children who experienced child abuse or neglect;
(v)
policies and procedures that promote and enhance appropriate collaboration among child protective service agencies, domestic violence service agencies, substance abuse treatment agencies, and other agencies in investigations, interventions, and the delivery of services and treatment provided to children and families affected by child abuse or neglect, including children exposed to domestic violence, where appropriate; and
(vi)
policies and procedures regarding the use of differential response, as applicable;
(E)
an assurance or certification that the programs or projects relating to child abuse and neglect carried out under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) comply with the requirements set forth in paragraph (1) and this paragraph;
(F)
an assurance or certification that programs and training conducted under this title address the unique needs of unaccompanied homeless youth, including access to enrollment and support services and that such youth are eligible for under parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq., 670 et seq.) and meet the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.); and
(G)
an assurance that the State, in developing the State plan described in paragraph (1), has collaborated with community-based prevention agencies and with families affected by child abuse or neglect.
Nothing in subparagraph (B) shall be construed to limit the State's flexibility to determine State policies relating to public access to court proceedings to determine child abuse and neglect, except that such policies shall, at a minimum, ensure the safety and well-being of the child, parents, and families.
(3)

Limitation.—
With regard to clauses (vi) and (vii) of paragraph (2)(B), nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting the ability of a State to refuse to disclose identifying information concerning the individual initiating a report or complaint alleging suspected instances of child abuse or neglect, except that the State may not refuse such a disclosure where a court orders such disclosure after such court has reviewed, in camera, the record of the State related to the report or complaint and has found it has reason to believe that the reporter knowingly made a false report.
(4)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this subsection—
(A)
the term “near fatality” means an act that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition; and
(B)
the term “serious bodily injury” means bodily injury which involves substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.
(c)

Citizen Review Panels.—
(1)

Establishment.—
(A)

In general.—
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each State to which a grant is made under this section shall establish not less than 3 citizen review panels.
(B)

Exceptions.—
(i)

Establishment of panels by states receiving minimum allotment.—
A State that receives the minimum allotment of $175,000 under section 203(b)(1)(A) for a fiscal year shall establish not less than 1 citizen review panel.
(ii)

Designation of existing entities.—
A State may designate as panels for purposes of this subsection one or more existing entities established under State or Federal law, such as child fatality panels or foster care review panels, if such entities have the capacity to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (4) and the State ensures that such entities will satisfy such requirements.
(2)

Membership.—
Each panel established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be composed of volunteer members who are broadly representative of the community in which such panel is established, including members who have expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect, and may include adult former victims of child abuse or neglect.
(3)

Meetings.—
Each panel established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall meet not less than once every 3 months.
(4)

Functions.—
(A)

In general.—
Each panel established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall, by examining the policies, procedures, and practices of State and local agencies and where appropriate, specific cases, evaluate the extent to which State and local child protection system agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities in accordance with—
(i)
the State plan under subsection (b);
(ii)
the child protection standards set forth in subsection (b); and
(iii)
any other criteria that the panel considers important to ensure the protection of children, including—
(I)
a review of the extent to which the State and local child protective services system is coordinated with the foster care and adoption programs established under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.); and
(II)
a review of child fatalities and near fatalities (as defined in subsection (b)(4)).
(B)

Confidentiality.—
(i)

In general.—
The members and staff of a panel established under paragraph (1)—
(I)
shall not disclose to any person or government official any identifying information about any specific child protection case with respect to which the panel is provided information; and
(II)
shall not make public other information unless authorized by State statute.
(ii)

Civil sanctions.—
Each State that establishes a panel pursuant to paragraph (1) shall establish civil sanctions for a violation of clause (i).
(C)

Public outreach.—
Each panel shall provide for public outreach and comment in order to assess the impact of current procedures and practices upon children and families in the community and in order to meet its obligations under subparagraph (A).
(5)

State assistance.—
Each State that establishes a panel pursuant to paragraph (1)—
(A)
shall provide the panel access to information on cases that the panel desires to review if such information is necessary for the panel to carry out its functions under paragraph (4); and
(B)
shall provide the panel, upon its request, staff assistance for the performance of the duties of the panel.
(6)

Reports.—
Each panel established under paragraph (1) shall prepare and make available to the State and the public, on an annual basis, a report containing a summary of the activities of the panel and recommendations to improve the child protection services system at the State and local levels. Not later than 6 months after the date on which a report is submitted by the panel to the State, the appropriate State agency shall submit a written response to State and local child protection systems and the citizen review panel that describes whether or how the State will incorporate the recommendations of such panel (where appropriate) to make measurable progress in improving the State and local child protective system.
(d)

Annual State Data Reports.—
Each State to which a grant is made under this section shall annually work with the Secretary to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, a report that includes the following:
(1)
The number of children who were reported to the State during the year as victims of child abuse or neglect.
(2)
Of the number of children described in paragraph (1), the number with respect to whom such reports were—
(A)
substantiated;
(B)
unsubstantiated; or
(C)
determined to be false.
(3)
Of the number of children described in paragraph (2)—
(A)
the number that did not receive services during the year under the State program funded under this section or an equivalent State program;
(B)
the number that received services during the year under the State program funded under this section or an equivalent State program; and
(C)
the number that were removed from their families during the year by disposition of the case.
(4)
The number of families that received preventive services, including use of differential response, from the State during the year.
(5)
The number of deaths in the State during the year resulting from child abuse or neglect.
(6)
Of the number of children described in paragraph (5), the number of such children who were in foster care.
(7)
(A)
The number of child protective service personnel responsible for the—
(i)
intake of reports filed in the previous year;
(ii)
screening of such reports;
(iii)
assessment of such reports; and
(iv)
investigation of such reports.
(B)
The average caseload for the workers described in subparagraph (A).
(8)
The agency response time with respect to each such report with respect to initial investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect.
(9)
The response time with respect to the provision of services to families and children where an allegation of child abuse or neglect has been made.
(10)
For child protective service personnel responsible for intake, screening, assessment, and investigation of child abuse and neglect reports in the State—
(A)
information on the education, qualifications, and training requirements established by the State for child protective service professionals, including for entry and advancement in the profession, including advancement to supervisory positions;
(B)
data on the education, qualifications, and training of such personnel;
(C)
demographic information of the child protective service personnel; and
(D)
information on caseload or workload requirements for such personnel, including requirements for average number and maximum number of cases per child protective service worker and supervisor.
(11)
The number of children reunited with their families or receiving family preservation services that, within five years, result in subsequent substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect, including the death of the child.
(12)
The number of children for whom individuals were appointed by the court to represent the best interests of such children and the average number of out of court contacts between such individuals and children.
(13)
The annual report containing the summary of the activities of the citizen review panels of the State required by subsection (c)(6).
(14)
The number of children under the care of the State child protection system who are transferred into the custody of the State juvenile justice system.
(15)
The number of children referred to a child protective services system under subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii).
(16)
The number of children determined to be eligible for referral, and the number of children referred, under subsection (b)(2)(B)(xxi), to agencies providing early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.).
(17)
The number of children determined to be victims described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(xxiv).
(18)
The number of infants—
(A)
identified under subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii);
(B)
for whom a plan of safe care was developed under subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii); and
(C)
for whom a referral was made for appropriate services, including services for the affected family or caregiver, under subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii).
(e)

Annual Report by the Secretary.—
Within 6 months after receiving the State reports under subsection (d), the Secretary shall prepare a report based on information provided by the States for the fiscal year under such subsection and shall make the report and such information available to the Congress and the national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse and neglect.
(f)

Allotments.—
(1)

Definitions.—
In this subsection:
(A)

Fiscal year 2009 grant funds.—
The term “fiscal year 2009 grant funds” means the amount appropriated under section 112 for fiscal year 2009, and not reserved under section 112(a)(2).
(B)

Grant funds.—
The term “grant funds” means the amount appropriated under section 112 for a fiscal year and not reserved under section 112(a)(2).
(C)

State.—
The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(D)

Territory.—
The term “territory” means Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(2)

In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall make allotments to each State and territory that applies for a grant under this section in an amount equal to the sum of—
(A)
$50,000; and
(B)
an amount that bears the same relationship to any grant funds remaining after all such States and territories have received $50,000, as the number of children under the age of 18 in the State or territory bears to the number of such children in all States and territories that apply for such a grant.
(3)

Allotments for decreased appropriation years.—
In the case where the grant funds for a fiscal year are less than the fiscal year 2009 grant funds, the Secretary shall ratably reduce each of the allotments under paragraph (2) for such fiscal year.
(4)

Allotments for increased appropriation years.—
(A)

Minimum allotments to states for increased appropriations years.—
In any fiscal year for which the grant funds exceed the fiscal year 2009 grant funds by more than $1,000,000, the Secretary shall adjust the allotments under paragraph (2), as necessary, such that no State that applies for a grant under this section receives an allotment in an amount that is less than—
(i)
$100,000, for a fiscal year in which the grant funds exceed the fiscal year 2009 grant funds by more than $1,000,000 but less than $2,000,000;
(ii)
$125,000, for a fiscal year in which the grant funds exceed the fiscal year 2009 grant funds by at least $2,000,000 but less than $3,000,000; and
(iii)
$150,000, for a fiscal year in which the grant funds exceed the fiscal year 2009 grant funds by at least $3,000,000.
(B)

Allotment adjustment.—
In the case of a fiscal year for which subparagraph (A) applies and the grant funds are insufficient to satisfy the requirements of such subparagraph (A), paragraph (2), and paragraph (5), the Secretary shall, subject to paragraph (5), ratably reduce the allotment of each State for which the allotment under paragraph (2) is an amount that exceeds the applicable minimum under subparagraph (A), as necessary to ensure that each State receives the applicable minimum allotment under subparagraph (A).
(5)

Hold harmless.—
Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (4), except as provided in paragraph (3), no State or territory shall receive a grant under this section in an amount that is less than the amount such State or territory received under this section for fiscal year 2009.
[42 U.S.C. 5106a]
SEC. 107.

GRANTS TO STATES FOR PROGRAMS RELATING TO THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES.
(a)

Grants to States.—
The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, is authorized to make grants to the States for the purpose of assisting States in developing, establishing, and operating programs designed to improve—
(1)
the assessment and investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect cases, including cases of suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child and the child's family;
(2)
the assessment and investigation of cases of suspected child abuse-related fatalities and suspected child neglect-related fatalities;
(3)
the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation; and
(4)
the assessment and investigation of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are suspected victims of child abuse or neglect.
(b)

Eligibility Requirements.—
In order for a State to qualify for assistance under this section, such State shall—
(1)
fulfill the requirements of section 106(b);
(2)
establish a task force as provided in subsection (c);
(3)
fulfill the requirements of subsection (d);
(4)
submit annually an application to the Secretary at such time and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary considers necessary, including an assurance that the State will—
(A)
make such reports to the Secretary as may reasonably be required; and
(B)
maintain and provide access to records relating to activities under subsections (a) and (b); and
(5)
submit annually to the Secretary a report on the manner in which assistance received under this program was expended throughout the State, with particular attention focused on the areas described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a).
(c)

State Task Forces.—
(1)

General rule.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a State requesting assistance under this section shall establish or designate, and maintain, a State multidisciplinary task force on children's justice (hereinafter referred to as “State task force”) composed of professionals with knowledge and experience relating to the criminal justice system and issues of child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and child maltreatment related fatalities. The State task force shall include—
(A)
individuals representing the law enforcement community;
(B)
judges and attorneys involved in both civil and criminal court proceedings related to child abuse and neglect (including individuals involved with the defense as well as the prosecution of such cases);
(C)
child advocates, including both attorneys for children and, where such programs are in operation, court appointed special advocates;
(D)
health and mental health professionals;
(E)
individuals representing child protective service agencies;
(F)
individuals experienced in working with children with disabilities;
(G)
parents;
(H)
representatives of parents' groups;
(I)
adult former victims of child abuse or neglect; and
(J)
individuals experienced in working with homeless children and youths (as defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)).
(2)

Existing task force.—
As determined by the Secretary, a State commission or task force established after January 1, 1983, with substantially comparable membership and functions, may be considered the State task force for purposes of this subsection.
(d)

State Task Force Study.—
Before a State receives assistance under this section, and at three year intervals thereafter, the State task force shall comprehensively—
(1)
review and evaluate State investigative, administrative and both civil and criminal judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as cases involving suspected child maltreatment related fatalities and cases involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as intrastate, interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal; and
(2)
make policy and training recommendations in each of the categories described in subsection (e).
The task force may make such other comments and recommendations as are considered relevant and useful.
(e)

Adoption of State Task Force Recommendations.—
(1)

General rule.—
Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), before a State receives assistance under this section, a State shall adopt recommendations of the State task force in each of the following categories—
(A)
investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as cases involving suspected child maltreatment related fatalities and cases involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as intrastate, interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal, in a manner which reduces the additional trauma to the child victim and the victim's family and which also ensures procedural fairness to the accused;
(B)
experimental, model, and demonstration programs for testing innovative approaches and techniques which may improve the prompt and successful resolution of civil and criminal court proceedings or enhance the effectiveness of judicial and administrative action in child abuse and neglect cases, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation cases, including the enhancement of performance of court-appointed attorneys and guardians ad litem for children, and which also ensure procedural fairness to the accused; and
(C)
reform of State laws, ordinances, regulations, protocols, and procedures to provide comprehensive protection for children, which may include those children involved in reports of child abuse or neglect with a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as intrastate, interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal, from child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse and exploitation, while ensuring fairness to all affected persons.
(2)

Exemption.—
As determined by the Secretary, a State shall be considered to be in fulfillment of the requirements of this subsection if—
(A)
the State adopts an alternative to the recommendations of the State task force, which carries out the purpose of this section, in each of the categories under paragraph (1) for which the State task force's recommendations are not adopted; or
(B)
the State is making substantial progress toward adopting recommendations of the State task force or a comparable alternative to such recommendations.
(f)

Funds Available.—
For grants under this section, the Secretary shall use the amount authorized by section 1404A of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10603a).9
^9
Section 1404A of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 has several references that are probably inconsistent with the intent of the Congress regarding the relationship between such Act and this Act. See notes on page 32.
[42 U.S.C. 5106c]
SEC. 108.

MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO ASSISTANCE.
(a)

Construction of Facilities.—
(1)

Restriction on use of funds.—
Assistance provided under this Act may not be used for construction of facilities.
(2)

Lease, rental, or repair.—
The Secretary may authorize the use of funds received under this Act—
(A)
where adequate facilities are not otherwise available, for the lease or rental of facilities; or
(B)
for the repair or minor remodeling or alteration of existing facilities.
(b)

Geographical Distribution.—
The Secretary shall establish criteria designed to achieve equitable distribution of assistance under this Act among the States, among geographic areas of the Nation, and among rural and urban areas of the Nation. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall ensure that the citizens of each State receive assistance from at least one project under this Act.
(c)

Limitation.—
No funds appropriated for any grant or contract pursuant to authorizations made in this Act may be used for any purpose other than that for which such funds were authorized to be appropriated.
(d)

Sense of Congress.—
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should encourage all States and public and private entities that receive assistance under this title to—
(1)
ensure that children and families with limited English proficiency who participate in programs under this title are provided with materials and services through such programs in an appropriate language other than English; and
(2)
ensure that individuals with disabilities who participate in programs under this title are provided with materials and services through such programs that are appropriate to their disabilities.
(e)

Annual Report.—
A State that receives funds under section 106(a) shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a report describing the manner in which funds provided under this Act, alone or in combination with other Federal funds, were used to address the purposes and achieve the objectives of section 106.
[42 U.S.C. 5106d]
SEC. 109.

COORDINATION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROGRAMS.
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations and make such arrangements as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that there is effective coordination among programs related to child abuse and neglect under this Act and other such programs which are assisted by Federal funds.
[42 U.S.C. 5106e]
SEC. 110.

REPORTS.
(a)

Coordination Efforts.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on efforts to coordinate the objectives and activities of agencies and organizations that are responsible for programs and activities related to child abuse and neglect. Not later than 3 years after that date of enactment, the Secretary shall submit to those committees a second report on such efforts during the 3-year period following that date of enactment. Not later than 5 years after that date of enactment, the Secretary shall submit to those committees a third report on such efforts during the 5-year period following that date of enactment.
(b)

Effectiveness of State Programs and Technical Assistance.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report evaluating the effectiveness of programs receiving assistance under section 106 in achieving the objectives of section 106.
(c)

Study and Report Relating to Citizen Review Panels.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of citizen review panels, established under section 106(c), in achieving the stated function of such panels under section 106(c)(4)(A) of—
(A)
examining the policies, procedures, and practices of State and local child protection agencies; and
(B)
evaluating the extent to which such State and local child protection agencies are fulfilling their child protection responsibilities, as described in clauses (i) through (iii) of section 106(c)(4)(A).
(2)

Content of study.—
The study described in paragraph (1) shall be completed in a manner suited to the unique design of citizen review panels, including consideration of the variability among the panels within and between States. The study shall include the following:
(A)
Data describing the membership, organizational structure, operation, and administration of all citizen review panels and the total number of such panels in each State.
(B)
A detailed summary of the extent to which collaboration and information-sharing occurs between citizen review panels and State child protective services agencies or any other entities or State agencies. The summary shall include a description of the outcomes that result from collaboration and information sharing.
(C)
Evidence of the adherence and responsiveness to the reporting requirements under section 106(c)(6) by citizen review panels and States.
(3)

Report.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives a report that contains the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
(d)

Study and Report Relating to Immunity From Prosecution for Professional Consultation in Suspected and Known Instances of Child Abuse and Neglect.—
(1)

Study.—
The Secretary shall complete a study, in consultation with experts in the provision of healthcare, law enforcement, education, and local child welfare administration, that examines how provisions for immunity from prosecution under State and local laws and regulations facilitate and inhibit individuals cooperating, consulting, or assisting in making good faith reports, including mandatory reports, of suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect.
(2)

Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives a report that contains the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1) and any recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes the Secretary determines appropriate. Such report may be submitted electronically.
[42 U.S.C. 5106f]
SEC. 111.

DEFINITIONS.
(a)

Definitions.—
For purposes of this title—
(1)
the term “Alaska Native” has the meaning given the term “Native” in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602);
(2)
the term “infant or toddler with a disability” has the meaning given the term in section 632 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1432);
(3)
the term “Native Hawaiian” has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
(4)
the term “sexual abuse” includes—
(A)
the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or
(B)
the rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children; and
(5)
the term “withholding of medically indicated treatment” means the failure to respond to the infant's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment (including appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication) which, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment, will be most likely to be effective in ameliorating or correcting all such conditions, except that the term does not include the failure to provide treatment (other than appropriate nutrition, hydration, or medication) to an infant when, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment—
(A)
the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose;
(B)
the provision of such treatment would—
(i)
merely prolong dying;
(ii)
not be effective in ameliorating or correcting all of the infant's life-threatening conditions; or
(iii)
otherwise be futile in terms of the survival of the infant; or
(C)
the provision of such treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of the infant and the treatment itself under such circumstances would be inhumane.
(b)

Special Rule.—
(1)10

In general.—
For purposes of section 3(2) and subsection (a)(4), a child shall be considered a victim of “child abuse and neglect” and of “sexual abuse” if the child is identified, by a State or local agency employee of the State or locality involved, as being a victim of human trafficking.
^{10}
Section 133 of Public Law 117–348 amended paragraph (1) by striking “a victim of” and all that follows and inserting “a victim of” through “victim of human trafficking.”. The phrase “a victim of” being struck appeared in law three times; however, the amendment was carried out by striking the first occurrence of such phrase.
(2)

State option.—
Notwithstanding the definition of “child” in section 3(1), a State may elect to define that term for purposes of the application of paragraph (1) to section 3(2) and subsection (a)(4) as a person who has not attained the age of 24.
[42 U.S.C. 5106g]
SEC. 112.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a)

In General.—
(1)

General authorization.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2015.
(2)

Discretionary activities.—
(A)

In general.—
Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make available 30 percent of such amounts to fund discretionary activities under this title.
(B)

Demonstration projects.—
Of the amounts made available for a fiscal year under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make available not more than 40 percent of such amounts to carry out section 104.
(b)

Availability of Funds Without Fiscal Year Limitation.—
The Secretary shall ensure that funds appropriated pursuant to authorizations in this title shall remain available until expended for the purposes for which they were appropriated.
[42 U.S.C. 5106h]
SEC. 113.

RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a)

In General.—
Nothing in this Act shall be construed—
(1)
as establishing a Federal requirement that a parent or legal guardian provide a child any medical service or treatment against the religious beliefs of the parent or legal guardian; and
(2)
to require that a State find, or to prohibit a State from finding, child abuse or neglect in cases in which a parent or legal guardian relies solely or partially upon spiritual means rather than medical treatment, in accordance with the religious beliefs of the parent or legal guardian.
(b)

State Requirement.—
Notwithstanding subsection (a), a State shall, at a minimum, have in place authority under State law to permit the child protective services system of the State to pursue any legal remedies, including the authority to initiate legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, to provide medical care or treatment for a child when such care or treatment is necessary to prevent or remedy serious harm to the child, or to prevent the withholding of medically indicated treatment from children with life threatening conditions. Except with respect to the withholding of medically indicated treatments from disabled infants with life threatening conditions, case by case determinations concerning the exercise of the authority of this subsection shall be within the sole discretion of the State.
[42 U.S.C. 5106i]
SEC. 114.

MONITORING AND OVERSIGHT.
The Secretary shall conduct monitoring to ensure that each State that receives a grant under section 106 is in compliance with the requirements of section 106(b), which—
(1)
shall—
(A)
be in addition to the review of the State plan upon its submission under section 106(b)(1)(A); and
(B)
include monitoring of State policies and procedures required under clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 106(b)(2)(B); and
(2)
may include—
(A)
a comparison of activities carried out by the State to comply with the requirements of section 106(b) with the State plan most recently approved under section 432 of the Social Security Act;
(B)
a review of information available on the website of the State relating to its compliance with the requirements of section 106(b);
(C)
site visits, as may be necessary to carry out such monitoring; and
(D)
a review of information available in the State's Annual Progress and Services Report most recently submitted under section 1357.16 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
[42 U.S.C. 5108]
TITLE II—

COMMUNITY-BASED GRANTS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
SEC. 201.

PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
(a)

Purpose.—
It is the purpose of this title—
(1)
to support community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and coordinate initiatives, programs, and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect and to support the coordination of resources and activities, to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect; and
(2)
to foster an understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing and treating child abuse and neglect.
(b)

Authority.—
The Secretary shall make grants under this title on a formula basis to the entity designated by the State as the lead entity (referred to in this title as the “lead entity”) under section 202(1) for the purpose of—
(1)
developing, operating, expanding, and enhancing community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that are accessible, effective, culturally appropriate, and build upon existing strengths that—
(A)
offer assistance to families;
(B)
provide early, comprehensive support for parents;
(C)
promote the development of parenting skills, especially in young parents and parents with very young children;
(D)
increase family stability;
(E)
improve family access to other formal and informal resources and opportunities for assistance available within communities, including access to such resources and opportunities for unaccompanied homeless youth;
(F)
support the additional needs of families with children with disabilities through respite care and other services;
(G)
demonstrate a commitment to involving parents in the planning and program implementation of the lead agency and entities carrying out local programs funded under this title, including involvement of parents of children with disabilities, parents who are individuals with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and members of other underrepresented or underserved groups; and
(H)
provide referrals to early health and developmental services;
(2)
fostering the development of a continuum of preventive services for children and families, including unaccompanied homeless youth, through State and community-based collaborations and partnerships both public and private;
(3)
financing the start-up, maintenance, expansion, or redesign of specific community-based child abuse and neglect prevention program services (such as respite care services, child abuse and neglect prevention activities, disability services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, domestic violence services, housing services, transportation, adult education, home visiting and other similar services) identified by the inventory and description of current services required under section 205(a)(3) as an unmet need, and integrated with the network of community-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs to the extent practicable given funding levels and community priorities;
(4)
maximizing funding through leveraging of funds for the financing, planning, community mobilization, collaboration, assessment, information and referral, startup, training and technical assistance, information management and reporting, reporting and evaluation costs for establishing, operating, or expanding community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect; and
(5)
financing public information activities that focus on the healthy and positive development of parents and children and the promotion of child abuse and neglect prevention activities.
[42 U.S.C. 5116]
SEC. 202.

ELIGIBILITY.
A State shall be eligible for a grant under this title for a fiscal year if—
(1)
(A)
the Governor of the State has designated a lead entity to administer funds under this title for the purposes identified under the authority of this title, including to develop, implement, operate, enhance, or expand community-based and prevention-focused, programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(B)
such lead entity is an existing public, quasi-public, or nonprofit private entity (which may be an entity that has not been established pursuant to State legislation, executive order, or any other written authority of the State) that exists to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect with a demonstrated ability to work with other State and community-based agencies to provide training and technical assistance, and that has the capacity and commitment to ensure the meaningful involvement of parents who are consumers and who can provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policy decisions of the applicant agency in accomplishing the desired outcomes for such efforts;
(C)
in determining which entity to designate under subparagraph (A), the Governor should give priority consideration equally to a trust fund advisory board of the State or to an existing entity that leverages Federal, State, and private funds for a broad range of child abuse and neglect prevention activities and family resource programs, and that is directed by an interdisciplinary, public-private structure, including participants from communities; and
(D)
in the case of a State that has designated a State trust fund advisory board for purposes of administering funds under this title (as such title was in effect on the date of the enactment of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendments of 1996) and in which one or more entities that leverage Federal, State, and private funds (as described in subparagraph (C)) exist, the Governor shall designate the lead entity only after full consideration of the capacity and expertise of all entities desiring to be designated under subparagraph (A);
(2)
the Governor of the State provides assurances that the lead entity will provide or will be responsible for providing—
(A)
community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect composed of local, collaborative, public-private partnerships directed by interdisciplinary structures with balanced representation from private and public sector members, parents, adult former victims of child abuse or neglect, and public and private nonprofit service providers and individuals and organizations experienced in working in partnership with families with children with disabilities;
(B)
direction through an interdisciplinary, collaborative, public-private structure with balanced representation from private and public sector members, parents, adult former victims of child abuse or neglect, and public sector and private nonprofit sector service providers, and parents with disabilities; and
(C)
direction and oversight through identified goals and objectives, clear lines of communication and accountability, the provision of leveraged or combined funding from Federal, State, and private sources, centralized assessment and planning activities, the provision of training and technical assistance, and reporting and evaluation functions; and
(3)
the Governor of the State provides assurances that the lead entity—
(A)
has a demonstrated commitment to parental participation in the development, operation, and oversight of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(B)
has a demonstrated ability to work with State and community-based public and private nonprofit organizations to develop a continuum of preventive, family centered, comprehensive services for children and families through the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(C)
has the capacity to provide operational support (both financial and programmatic) training, technical assistance, and evaluation assistance, to community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect, through innovative, interagency funding and interdisciplinary service delivery mechanisms; and
(D)
will integrate its efforts with individuals and organizations experienced in working in partnership with families with children with disabilities, parents with disabilities, and with the child abuse and neglect prevention activities of the State, and demonstrate a financial commitment to those activities.
[42 U.S.C. 5116a]
SEC. 203.

AMOUNT OF GRANT.
(a)

Reservation.—
The Secretary shall reserve 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 210 for a fiscal year to make allotments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations and migrant programs.
(b)

Remaining Amounts.—
(1)

In general.—
The Secretary shall allot the amount appropriated under section 210 for a fiscal year and remaining after the reservation under subsection (a) among the States as follows:
(A)

70 percent.—
70 percent of such amount appropriated shall be allotted among the States by allotting to each State an amount that bears the same proportion to such amount appropriated as the number of children under the age of 18 residing in the State bears to the total number of children under the age of 18 residing in all States (except that no State shall receive less than $175,000 under this subparagraph).
(B)

30 percent.—
30 percent of such amount appropriated shall be allotted among the States by allotting to each State an amount that bears the same proportion to such amount appropriated as the amount of private, State or other non-Federal funds leveraged and directed through the currently designated State lead entity in the preceding fiscal year bears to the aggregate of the amounts leveraged by all States from private, State, or other non-Federal sources and directed through the current lead entity of such States in the preceding fiscal year.
(2)

Additional requirement.—
The Secretary shall provide allotments under paragraph (1) to the State lead entity.
(c)

Allocation.—
Funds allotted to a State under this section—
(1)
shall be for a 3-year period; and
(2)
shall be provided by the Secretary to the State on an annual basis, as described in subsection (b).
[42 U.S.C. 5116b]
SEC. 204.

APPLICATION.
A grant may not be made to a State under this title unless an application therefor is submitted by the State to the Secretary and such application contains the types of information specified by the Secretary as essential to carrying out the provisions of section 202, including—
(1)
a description of the lead entity that will be responsible for the administration of funds provided under this title and the oversight of programs funded through the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect which meets the requirements of section 202;
(2)
a description of how the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect will operate, including how community-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs provided by public and private, nonprofit organizations will be integrated into a developing continuum of family centered, holistic, preventive services for children and families;
(3)
a description of the inventory of current unmet needs and current community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect, and other family resource services operating in the State;
(4)
a budget for the development, operation, and expansion of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that verifies that the State will expend in non-Federal funds an amount equal to not less than 20 percent of the amount received under this title (in cash, not in-kind) for activities under this title;
(5)
an assurance that funds received under this title will supplement, not supplant, other State and local public funds designated for the start up, maintenance, expansion, and redesign of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(6)
a description of the State's capacity to ensure the meaningful involvement of parents who are consumers, of family advocates, and of adult former victims of child abuse or neglect, who can provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programs and policy decisions of the applicant agency in accomplishing the desired outcomes for such efforts;
(7)
a description of the criteria that the entity will use to develop, or select and fund, community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect as part of network development, expansion, or enhancement;
(8)
a description of outreach activities that the entity and the community-based and prevention-focused programs designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect will undertake to maximize the participation of racial and ethnic minorities, children and adults with disabilities, homeless families and those at risk of homelessness, unaccompanied homeless youth, and members of other underserved or underrepresented groups;
(9)
a plan for providing operational support, training, and technical assistance to community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect for development, operation, expansion and enhancement activities;
(10)
a description of how the applicant entity's activities and those of the network and its members (where appropriate) will be evaluated;
(11)
a description of the actions that the applicant entity will take to advocate systemic changes in State policies, practices, procedures, and regulations to improve the delivery of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect services to children and families; and
(12)
an assurance that the applicant entity will provide the Secretary with reports at such time and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
[42 U.S.C. 5116d]
SEC. 205.

LOCAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
(a)

In General.—
Grants made under this title shall be used to develop, implement, operate, expand, and enhance community-based, and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that—
(1)
assess community assets and needs through a planning process that involves parents, local public agencies, local nonprofit organizations, and private sector representatives in meaningful roles;
(2)
develop a comprehensive strategy to provide a continuum of preventive, family-centered services to children and families, especially to young parents, to parents with young children, and to parents who are adult former victims of domestic violence or child abuse or neglect, through public-private partnerships;
(3)
(A)
provide for core child abuse and neglect prevention services, which may be provided directly by the local recipient of the grant funds or through grants or agreements with other local agencies, such as—
(i)
parent education, mutual support and self help, and parent leadership services;
(ii)
respite care services;
(iii)
outreach and followup services, which may include voluntary home visiting services; and
(iv)
community and social service referrals; and
(B)
provide access to optional services, including—
(i)
referral to and counseling for adoption services for individuals interested in adopting a child or relinquishing their child for adoption;
(ii)
child care, early childhood education and care, and intervention services;
(iii)
referral to services and supports to meet the additional needs of families with children with disabilities and parents who are individuals with disabilities;
(iv)
referral to job readiness services;
(v)
referral to educational services, such as academic tutoring, literacy training, and General Educational Degree services;
(vi)
self-sufficiency and life management skills training;
(vii)
community referral services, including early developmental screening of children;
(viii)
peer counseling; and
(ix)
domestic violence service programs that provide services and treatment to children and their non-abusing caregivers.
(4)
develop leadership roles for the meaningful involvement of parents in the development, operation, evaluation, and oversight of the programs and services;
(5)
provide leadership in mobilizing local public and private resources to support the provision of needed child abuse and neglect prevention program services; and
(6)
participate with other community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect in the development, operation, and expansion of networks where appropriate.
(b)

Priority.—
In awarding local grants under this title, a lead entity shall give priority to effective community-based programs serving low-income communities and those serving young parents or parents with young children, including community-based child abuse and neglect prevention programs..11
^{11}
Double period so in law.
[42 U.S.C. 5116e]
SEC. 206.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES.
A State receiving a grant under this title, through reports provided to the Secretary—
(1)
shall demonstrate the effective development, operation, and expansion of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that meets the requirements of this title;
(2)
shall supply an inventory and description of the services provided to families by local programs that meet identified community needs, including core and optional services as described in section 202 which description shall specify whether those services are supported by research;
(3)
shall demonstrate that they will have addressed unmet needs identified by the inventory and description of current services required under section 205(3)12;
^{12}
The reference to section 205(3) probably should refer to section 204(3). Section 141 of Public Law 111–320, 124 Stat. 3482, redesignates section 205 as section 204. Section 137(3)(A) of such Public Law provides for an amendment to section 207(4) by striking “section 205(3)” and inserting “section 204(3)”. Such amendment probably should have been made to section 207(3) and as such has not been executed above.
(4)
shall describe the number of families served, including families with children with disabilities, and parents with disabilities, and the involvement of a diverse representation of families in the design, operation 13, and evaluation of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect, and in the design, operation 13 and evaluation of the networks of such community-based and prevention-focused programs;
^{13}
Section 137(3)(B) of Public Law 111–320, 124 Stat. 3482, provides for an amendment to section 307(4) (prior to its redesignation as section 206 by section 141 of such Public Law) to insert a comma after “operation”. The amendment was not executed because the word “operation” appears two times in paragraph (4).
(5)
shall demonstrate a high level of satisfaction among families who have used the services of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(6)
shall demonstrate the establishment or maintenance of innovative funding mechanisms, at the State or community level, that blend Federal, State, local, and private funds, and innovative, interdisciplinary service delivery mechanisms, for the development, operation, expansion, and enhancement of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(7)
shall describe the results of evaluation, or the outcomes of monitoring, conducted under the State program to demonstrate the effectiveness of activities conducted under this title in meeting the purposes of the program; and
(8)
shall demonstrate an implementation plan to ensure the continued leadership of parents in the on-going planning, implementation, and evaluation of such community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect.
[42 U.S.C. 5116f]
SEC. 207.

NATIONAL NETWORK FOR COMMUNITY-BASED FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAMS.
The Secretary may allocate such sums as may be necessary from the amount provided under the State allotment to support the activities of the lead entity in the State—
(1)
to create, operate, and maintain a peer review process;
(2)
to create, operate, and maintain an information clearinghouse;
(3)
to fund a yearly symposium on State system change efforts that result from the operation of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(4)
to create, operate, and maintain a computerized communication system between lead entities; and
(5)
to fund State-to-State technical assistance through bi-annual conferences.
[42 U.S.C. 5116g]
SEC. 208.

DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1)

Community referral services.—
The term “community referral services” means services provided under contract or through interagency agreements to assist families in obtaining needed information, mutual support and community resources, including respite care services, health and mental health services, employability development and job training, and other social services, including early developmental screening of children, through help lines or other methods.
(2)

Community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect.—
The term “community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect” includes organizations such as family resource programs, family support programs, voluntary home visiting programs, respite care programs, parenting education, mutual support programs, and other community programs or networks of such programs that provide activities that are designed to prevent or respond to child abuse and neglect.
(3)

Respite care services.—
The term “respite care services” means short term care services, including the services of crisis nurseries, provided in the temporary absence of the regular caregiver (parent, other relative, foster parent, adoptive parent, or guardian) to children who—
(A)
are in danger of child abuse or neglect;
(B)
have experienced child abuse or neglect; or
(C)
have disabilities or chronic or terminal illnesses.
Such services shall be provided within or outside the home of the child, be short-term care (ranging from a few hours to a few weeks of time, per year), and be intended to enable the family to stay together and to keep the child living in the home and community of the child.
[42 U.S.C. 5116h]
SEC. 209.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2015.
[42 U.S.C. 5116i]

TITLE III—

[REPEALED]