[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 76 (Friday, April 19, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16572-16600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07827]



[[Page 16571]]

Vol. 84

Friday,

No. 76

April 19, 2019

Part II





Department of Health and Human Services





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





Administration for Children and Families





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





45 CFR Part 1355





Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 76 / Friday, April 19, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 16572]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

45 CFR Part 1355

RIN 0970-AC72


 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System

AGENCY: Children's Bureau (CB); Administration on Children, Youth and 
Families (ACYF); Administration for Children and Families (ACF); 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: ACF proposes to amend the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis 
and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations. This notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) amends the AFCARS regulations that require title IV-E 
agencies to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home 
care, who exit out-of-home care to adoption or legal guardianship, and 
children who are covered by a title IV-E adoption or guardianship 
assistance agreement.

DATES: In order to be considered, we must receive written comments on 
this NPRM on or before June 18, 2019.

ADDRESSES: We encourage the public to submit comments electronically to 
ensure they are received in a timely manner. Please be sure to include 
identifying information on any correspondence. To download an 
electronic version of the proposed rule, please go to http://www.regulations.gov/. You may submit comments, identified by docket 
number, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-Mail: [email protected]. Include [docket number 
and/or RIN number] in subject line of the message.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this 
rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to 
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. For 
detailed instructions on submitting comments, see the ``Public 
Participation'' heading of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 
this document. Comments that concern information collection 
requirements must be sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
at the address listed in the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) section of 
this preamble. A copy of these comments also may be sent to the HHS 
representative listed after the For Further Information Contact 
heading.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen McHugh, Director, Policy 
Division, Children's Bureau, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary per Executive Order 13563
II. Background on AFCARS and Regulation Development
III. Overview of Major Proposed Revisions to Data Elements
IV. Implementation Timeframe
V. Public Participation
VI. Section-by-Section Discussion of Regulatory Provisions
VII. Regulatory Impact Analysis
VIII. Tribal Consultation Statement

I. Executive Summary per Executive Order 13563

    Executive Order (E.O.) 13563 requires that regulations be 
accessible, consistent, written in plain language, and easy to 
understand. This means that regulatory preambles for lengthy or complex 
rules (both proposed and final) must include executive summaries. Below 
is the executive summary for this AFCARS NPRM.
    (1) Purpose of the AFCARS NPRM.
    (a) The need for the regulatory action and how the action will meet 
that need: This NPRM proposes revisions to streamline the AFCARS data 
elements that were finalized in the AFCARS final rule published on 
December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90524). This action is in response to E.O. 
13777 (issued February 24, 2017) that directed federal agencies to 
establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to review existing regulations 
and make recommendations regarding their repeal, replacement, or 
modification. The HHS Regulatory Reform Task Force identified the 
AFCARS regulation as one in which the reporting burden may impose costs 
that exceed benefits.
    (b) Legal authority for the final rule: Section 479 of the Social 
Security Act (the Act) mandates HHS regulate a data collection system 
for national adoption and foster care data. Section 474(f) of the Act 
requires HHS to impose penalties for non-compliant AFCARS data. Section 
1102 of the Act instructs the Secretary to promulgate regulations 
necessary for the effective administration of the functions for which 
HHS is responsible under the Act.
    (2) Summary of the Major Provisions of the NPRM.
    (a) Data Elements. We propose to remove and replace the data 
elements as described below to reduce the AFCARS reporting burden. We 
propose to modify the data elements in the out-of-home care data file 
(Sec.  1355.44) that title IV-E agencies must report. In particular, we 
propose to streamline data elements related to child information, 
placements, and permanency planning based on public comments to the 
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) and the work of federal 
experts with an interest in AFCARS data. We retained all data elements 
in the adoption and guardianship assistance data file (Sec.  1355.45) 
with conforming changes based on edits we made in Sec.  1355.44.
    (b) Conforming Changes. We propose to make conforming changes to 
Sec. Sec.  1355.41, 1355.43, and 1355.46 to update the citations or 
dates as a result of our proposed amendments in other sections.
    (3) Costs and Benefits. The benefits are that we will streamline 
the AFCARS data elements which will reduce the title IV-E agency 
reporting burden from the 2016 final rule, thus resulting in an 
estimated $39.2 million in total annual savings. (Affected entities 
will continue to incur $43.7 million in annual costs, net of federal 
reimbursements, attributable to the 2016 final rule.) This NPRM, if 
finalized as proposed, is expected to be an E.O. 13771 deregulatory 
action.

II. Background on AFCARS and Regulation Development

    AFCARS is authorized by section 479 of the Act, which mandates that 
HHS regulate a data collection system for national adoption and foster 
care data. Title IV-E agencies must submit data files on a semi-annual 
basis to ACF. We use AFCARS data for a variety of requirements, 
including but not limited to budgeting, providing national statistics 
on the child welfare population, providing reports to Congress, and 
monitoring compliance with title IV-B and IV-E requirements. AFCARS 
regulations were first published in 1993 and states began submitting 
data in fiscal year (FY) 1995. At that time, the requirements were set 
forth in regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 through 1355.47 and the 
appendices to part 1355. Per the 2016 final rule, the requirements are 
set forth in regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 through 1355.47. The 
regulations specify the reporting population, standards for compliance, 
and all data elements.
    We published the 2016 final rule revising the AFCARS regulations on 
December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90524) and it

[[Page 16573]]

included child welfare legislative changes that occurred since 1993, 
data elements related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and 
implemented fiscal penalties for noncompliant AFCARS data. The 2016 
final rule provided two fiscal years for title IV-E agencies to comply 
with sections 1355.41 through 1355.47 and required title IV-E agencies 
to continue to report AFCARS data in accordance with section 1355.40 
and the appendices to part 1355 until September 30, 2019.

Executive Order 13777

    On February 24, 2017, the President issued E.O. 13777 Enforcing the 
Regulatory Reform Agenda to lower regulatory burdens on the American 
people. It directed federal agencies to establish a Regulatory Reform 
Task Force to review existing regulations and make recommendations 
regarding their repeal, replacement, or modification. The HHS 
Regulatory Reform Task Force identified the AFCARS regulation as one in 
which the reporting burden may impose costs that exceed benefits.
    In response to the E.O. 13777, ACF published two notices in the 
Federal Register on March 15, 2018:
     NPRM proposing to delay the implementation of the first 
AFCARS report period under the December 2016 AFCARS final rule (45 CFR 
1355.41-.47) by an additional two fiscal years, until October 1, 2021 
(83 FR 11450).
     ANPRM soliciting specific feedback on the AFCARS data 
elements, costs to implement, and burden hours to complete the work 
required to comply with the 2016 final rule and listed questions for 
which we sought a response (83 FR 11449).

Implementation Delay of the 2016 Final Rule

    The comment period ended on April 16, 2018. In response to the NPRM 
on implementation delay, we received 43 comments and based on the 
comments, we issued a final rule to delay the implementation of the 
2016 final rule for one additional fiscal year, until October 1, 2020 
(Published August 21, 2018, 83 FR 42225). However, since we are 
proposing in this NPRM to revise the AFCARS data elements, we will 
revisit this implementation date to provide a timeframe to allow title 
IV-E agencies time to comply with the revised AFCARS data elements when 
we finalize this proposal through a final rule.

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    The ANPRM's comment period was open for 90 days and ended on June 
13, 2018. Through the ANPRM, ACF asked the public to give specific 
feedback on the AFCARS data elements, costs to implement, and burden 
hours to complete the work required to comply with the AFCARS 
requirements in 2016 final rule. The ANPRM listed questions 
specifically asking the public to comment on regarding the 2016 final 
rule:
     Identify the data elements that are overly burdensome for 
title IV-E agencies,
     Identify limitations title IV-E agencies will encounter in 
data reporting, including an explanation with cost and burden estimates 
for recordkeeping, reporting, and the number of children in foster care 
who are Indian children as defined in ICWA, and
     Recommendations on data elements to retain, simplify, and 
remove with justifications, such as its use at the national level or 
why the data would not be reliable in national statistics and would be 
better asked through a qualitative case review.
    In response to the ANPRM, we received 237 comments from 38 states, 
38 Indian tribes or consortiums, 62 organizations representing state or 
tribal interests, national public advocacy groups, professional 
associations, universities, two members of Congress, and 97 private 
citizens. The following is a summary and analysis of the public 
comments relevant to the specific issues for which we sought input.
    Summary of State Comments: Thirty-six of the 38 states supported 
making revisions to streamline the AFCARS regulation. This was based on 
each state's self-assessment of the cost and burden/work hours needed 
at various levels of the agency and the number of hours it will take to 
complete the work required to comply with the AFCARS 2016 final rule. 
States shared similar concerns for implementing the requirements of the 
2016 final rule such as: (1) Requiring the additional data elements 
could adversely impact their ability to provide safety, permanency, and 
well-being for youth in their care; (2) the additional work needed to 
comply would pull valuable resources away from the field and decrease 
the amount of time caseworkers have to work with families and children 
toward reunification, safety and risk assessments and planning, 
adoption, and other permanency activities; and (3) many new data 
elements are qualitative and therefore more accurately evaluated by 
quality assurance staff, through a case review or other monitoring 
efforts. The comments from the two states that did not support revising 
AFCARS focused on the value of the information that may be gleaned from 
certain data elements related to sexual orientation and ICWA. Even 
though the vast majority of states supported streamlining the AFCARS 
data elements, they also expressed that the 2016 final rule was a 
considerable improvement to the current AFCARS, will improve data 
reporting, and provide national information on a number of new topics, 
including ICWA, health needs, and permanency. States recognized that 
more comprehensive data allows them to better understand the children 
and families they serve. However, they felt that the 2016 final rule 
was far-reaching and made suggestions for streamlining the data 
elements, based on their cost and burden analysis.
    State Comments regarding Burden Estimates: States ranged 
considerably in estimating the work needed and length of time it would 
take to comply with the 2016 final rule. The variability in state 
estimates is expected and appropriate because there is considerable 
variability across states in sophistication and capacity of information 
systems, availability of both staff and financial resources, and 
populations of children in care. It is expected for a state with a 
large number of children in foster care to provide a much different 
burden estimate than a state with fewer children in foster care. Each 
state made a case about the increased and excessive burden as it 
applied to that specific state. States estimated it would take between 
200 to 25,000 hours to accomplish tasks related to the ICWA-related 
data elements and 800 to 70,000 hours for completing work on all other 
data elements. Some of the tasks associated with these wide-ranging 
hours included:
     Developing or modifying policies, procedures, rules, case 
management systems, and electronic case records to comply with the 
AFCARS requirements,
     Searching for and gathering the information required to be 
reported for the data elements,
     Entering the information into the system, and
     Training staff on the requirements and changes.
    Hours related to developing and administering staff training ranged 
from 20 to 102,000 hours depending on the number of staff that require 
training and materials that must be developed.
    State Comments regarding Cost Estimates: States' estimates varied 
considerably, depending on the size of the state's out-of-home care 
population, staffing needs, the length of time states have to implement 
new AFCARS

[[Page 16574]]

requirements, and the level of current system functionality, including 
modifications needed and data exchanges with other agency systems. As 
mentioned previously, variability in state cost estimates is 
appropriate because significant differences exist across state systems, 
resources, and populations of children in care. States estimated that 
total costs to comply with the 2016 final rule ranged from $1 million 
for one year to $45 million over multiple years. They provided ranges 
for specific costs, such as $41 million to hire and train new staff for 
administrative support, $600,000 to $1 million for total initial costs, 
and $741,000 to $11 million for ongoing costs. These costs included:
     Analyzing policies, practice, and casework to determine 
and implement modifications to capture and report data,
     Systems changes (for example, contract and staff costs to 
revise systems),
     Developing and administering staff training, ongoing 
monitoring, and quality assurance, and
     Reporting the data to ACF.
    State Comments regarding Data Elements: Based in large part on the 
cost and hours required to complete the work to comply with the 2016 
final rule, 36 states are in favor of streamlining the data elements in 
the 2016 final rule, many of whom provided recommendations. States 
recommended revisions to the data elements around education, health 
assessments and conditions, youth pregnancy/fathering, siblings, prior 
adoptions, caseworker visits, and sex trafficking. The reasons provided 
for streamlining included that it would be costly to modify their 
systems to report so many new data elements (compared to the AFCARS 
prior to the 2016 final rule) and they did not see the benefit at the 
national level for providing new information that was not explicitly 
used for monitoring. A third of the states expressed concerns with the 
data elements around sexual orientation and recommended they be removed 
due to reasons such as it will not be reliable because youth would 
self-report, which could result in an undercount, and due to the 
sensitive and private nature of the information, they questioned the 
implications of having this information in a government record. 
Regarding the ICWA-related data elements, half of the states expressed 
concern with the large number of and detailed questions asked related 
to ICWA's requirements, with five states expressly asking for no ICWA-
related data elements in AFCARS. Many states felt that some of the 
ICWA-related data elements in the 2016 final rule are redundant, overly 
detailed, could be streamlined, or are too specific for a national data 
set and are better suited for a qualitative review. Four states 
reported that ICWA-applicable children in their out-of-home care 
populations were well under one percent (1%). However, states with 
higher numbers of tribal children in their care reported that they 
supported including limited information related to ICWA in AFCARS 
because they believe child welfare programs will be enhanced by having 
this information to inform policy decisions and program management.
    Summary of Comments from Indian Tribes and Organizations 
Representing Tribal Interests: The 38 Indian tribes/consortiums and all 
organizations representing tribal interests opposed streamlining the 
AFCARS data elements and primarily focused their comments on ICWA's 
requirements and the ICWA-related data elements. They did not provide 
specific comments on or estimates for cost or burden related to the 
2016 final rule. In general, they expressed that the state burden in 
collecting the ICWA-related data elements is not significant enough to 
warrant streamlining it because of their concerns regarding ICWA 
compliance. Most of the commenters provided the following general 
reasons for keeping all ICWA-related data elements in AFCARS:
     ICWA has been law for 40 years but there has been little 
in-depth data and limited federal oversight regarding this law.
     Collecting ICWA-related data in AFCARS is a step in the 
right direction to ensure that Indian families are kept together when 
possible and provide insight into state compliance with ICWA's 
requirements.
     Without any uniform, national data regarding ICWA's 
requirements, policymakers do not understand the scope of issues to 
inform policy changes.
     While some Indian tribes reported good working 
relationships with some states, the commenters expressed concerns that 
there are children in state custody who are not identified as Indian 
children and thus are not protected under ICWA.
    Largely, the commenters representing tribal interests expressed 
support for retaining all of the data elements in the 2016 final rule 
and specifically, all of the ICWA-related data elements for similar 
reasons as noted above. They also expressed that:
     States should currently be asking questions that ascertain 
whether a child is an Indian child as defined in ICWA, including 
inquiring about the family's tribal membership status,
     Specific data elements on notification of proceedings and 
transfers to tribal court are important because the timelines in ICWA 
are rarely met, and
     Information on termination of parental rights, removals 
under ICWA, and placement preferences are important for determining 
ICWA compliance.
    Regarding the other data elements in the 2016 final rule, the 
commenters largely supported those for reasons such as the information 
will underscore the importance of certain casework activities (e.g., 
sibling placement whenever possible) and it will show trends in removal 
circumstances, placements, and permanency outcomes that will inform 
policymaking and provide a basis for education and training.
    Summary of Comments from Organizations and Other Entities: The two 
members of Congress and most other advocacy and trade organizations, 
universities, private individuals, and other groups primarily focused 
their comments on which data elements from the 2016 final rule to 
remove or retain. They did not provide specific comments on or 
estimates for cost or burden related to any aspect the 2016 final rule. 
The majority of these commenters opposed streamlining the data for 
reasons similar to the commenters representing tribal interests, such 
as underscoring the importance of certain casework activities and 
showing national trends. The commenters provided broad commentary on 
the benefit of having new data outweighs the burden of having to report 
it. A few commenters supported streamlining based on the cost and 
system changes states will need to make to comply with AFCARS 
requirements. We received numerous comments that were outside the scope 
of the ANPRM, which did not address the questions for which we sought 
public comment, such as there has been ample opportunities to comment 
on AFCARS via prior rulemakings, repeated requests for feedback is an 
undue burden, and ACF's authority to collect ICWA-related data elements 
in AFCARS.
    Commenters expressed support and some offered modifications for 
particular data elements in the 2016 final rule such as health 
assessments, educational status and special education, placement types, 
caseworker visits, circumstances present at removal, prior adoptions, 
title IV-E guardianships, youth who are pregnant or parenting, and 
youth who may be victims of sex trafficking. They

[[Page 16575]]

suggested that updates to AFCARS were long overdue and that the data 
elements related to ICWA and sexual orientation in particular will 
yield important national information because current methods of 
reporting, for example via the Child and Family Services Plans (CFSP) 
and case file reviews, do not result in reliable or consistent data, 
thus are ineffective at providing a national picture of children placed 
in out-of-home care.
    Comment Analysis: We reviewed and analyzed all of the ANPRM 
comments, costs, and burden estimates and considered them as it related 
to meeting the requirements of E.O. 13777. ACF heard the concerns and 
interests of all stakeholders and after careful consideration, we 
believe that proposing revisions to the AFCARS regulation through a 
NPRM is warranted and within the spirit of E.O. 13777 to streamline and 
reduce burden on title IV-E agencies.
    Commenters sufficiently argued that many new data elements are 
qualitative and therefore more accurately evaluated by quality 
assurance staff, through a case review, or other monitoring efforts. We 
must strongly weigh the desire for more information with the burden on 
those who are required to report it. The need for streamlining was 
convincingly argued through the states' detailed work and cost 
estimates that the 2016 final rule has many data elements that can be 
streamlined while still providing critical information on the out-of-
home care population from a national perspective.
    More states submitted comments and more detailed comments and cost/
burden estimates in response to the ANPRM than in response to our 
previous AFCARS proposals, thereby providing us with much more rich and 
valuable information than we have had to date. Most of the state 
comments to the ANPRM were detailed and contained comprehensive burden 
and cost estimates illustrating the work they will have to undergo to 
implement the 2016 final rule. While some states indicated that the 
2016 final rule made improvements in the AFCARS requirements that will 
enhance the knowledge about the children/youth in out-of-home care, the 
vast majority agreed and convincingly articulated that some of the data 
elements should be streamlined.
    Regarding the ICWA-related data elements, section 479(c)(1) of the 
Act requires that any data collection system developed and implemented 
under this section must avoid unnecessary diversion of resources from 
agencies. Requiring every state to modify its systems to be able to 
report on a large number of data elements when the foster care 
population does not reflect that the data elements will be applicable 
to a majority of their children does not meet this mandate. 
Additionally, according to AFCARS data on the race\ethnicity 
distribution of children\youth in care as of September 30, 2016, in 33 
states, children who have a reported race as American Indian/Alaskan 
Native made up less than one percent of the children in foster care. We 
believe AFCARS can be streamlined in a way that is responsive to all 
concerned and in a way that can balance the need for updated data with 
reducing the burden on title IV-E agencies.
    In response to the commenters that supported the data elements as 
promulgated in the 2016 final rule, we note that title IV-E agencies 
are to develop case management/electronic case records that meet the 
agency's business need. As such, title IV-E agencies may collect all of 
the data elements contained in the 2016 final rule regardless of what 
is ultimately required to be reported to ACF by title IV-E agencies in 
a rule that finalizes this NPRM. The AFCARS data elements are 
information that we require be reported to ACF, but we understand that 
title IV-E agencies collect more information in their own case records 
to support case practice that meets the needs of the children and 
families they serve. We commend the willingness to collect a more 
comprehensive array of information. However, the information we require 
title IV-E agencies to report to ACF via AFCARS must take into 
consideration and reflect the circumstances and capacity of all title 
IV-E agencies in setting the AFCARS requirements.
    ACF understands and appreciates that Congress and stakeholders are 
interested in the well-being of children in foster care and we 
understand that national data about these children is useful for many 
reasons. However, the vast majority of commenters that opposed 
streamlining are not required to report AFCARS data and did not offer 
any specific estimates regarding the burden or cost placed on reporting 
title IV-E agencies. These commenters believed it was necessary for 
agencies to report qualitative data on particular topics through AFCARS 
for policy making purposes and justified it with general statements 
that the benefits of more data outweigh the burden to report it. 
However, it was not well illustrated why AFCARS is the best vehicle for 
collecting this data when there are other effective options for 
gathering qualitative information at the national level, such as via 
surveys, research, or the Child and Family Services Review.
    The suggestion that more data elements in AFCARS is essential for 
policy making was not sufficiently validated in the ANPRM comments. It 
would have been useful if the commenters identified the specific 
policies that they felt needed the detailed level of AFCARS data so 
urgently and why AFCARS specifically is the best means for collection 
of this data. Congress has passed approximately 24 laws that 
significantly amended federal child welfare programs since 1995, when 
AFCARS became effective. These policy changes were made despite not 
having the additional data from the 2016 final rule. Congress recently 
amended the statute at section 479 of the Act to require data elements 
it deems relevant for national public interest. For example, Congress 
required collection of information on sex trafficking victims (section 
479(c)(3)(E) of the Act) and prior adoptions/guardianships (section 
479(d) of the Act).
    Based on state cost estimates, ACF is also concerned that a 
significant expansion of AFCARS at this time would negatively impact 
states' ability to take advantage of the new title IV-E prevention 
services program (see section 471(e) of the Act). Title IV-E is a cost 
reimbursement program, therefore, states must secure funding for the 
services, interventions, evaluation, data collection, and reporting out 
of their own resources before being reimbursed by the federal 
government for a portion of those costs. State cost estimates of the 
2016 final rule are significant. Imposing additional reporting costs at 
this time, coupled with the new limits on federal funding for foster 
care maintenance payments for children in certain congregate care 
facilities and the reinstatement of eligibility criteria for infants 
and children up to age two in the title IV-E adoption assistance 
program included in the Family First Prevention Services Act (Public 
Law (Pub. L.) 115-123) may severely impede states' ability to opt into 
the title IV-E prevention services program.

Input From Federal Agency Experts

    As part of the process to meet the requirements of E.O. 13777 and 
on-going intra-agency collaboration related to data collection and 
analysis at ACF, the Children's Bureau consulted with the Department's 
subject matter experts with an interest in AFCARS data. We reviewed 
each data element in the 2016 final rule and evaluated whether it is 
needed for a specific purpose, such as a title IV-B/IV-E statutory 
requirement

[[Page 16576]]

and program monitoring, Congressional reporting, or budgeting, and to 
specifically identify whether including the data in AFCARS would 
improve the accuracy and reliability of the data. Given current 
budgetary constraints on title IV-E and federal agencies, the objective 
was to be clear on how each data element meets a mandate and how ACF 
will use the data, thus justifying it being a requirement for 
reporting. The subject matter experts identified a number of data 
elements that do not have a specific purpose for title IV-B/IV-E 
statute or program monitoring, Congressional reporting, or budgeting. 
Additionally, the Children's Bureau consulted with representatives of 
the Department of Interior (DOI) regarding the ICWA-related data 
elements to retain in AFCARS.
    After considering all input from ANPRM commenters and the 
Department's subject matter experts with an interest in AFCARS, ACF 
proposes to streamline the AFCARS data elements to what ACF believes is 
a reasonable amount. We believe that this proposal meets the requests 
from states to streamline and reduce redundancies in the regulation; 
from Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and other stakeholders for 
keeping data elements related to specific areas; and to meet the 
requirements of E.O. 13777.

III. Overview of Major Proposed Revisions to Data Elements

    The revisions proposed in this NPRM reflect ACF's review and 
analysis of the ANPRM comments and input from the Department's subject 
matter experts with an interest in AFCARS data, and consideration 
related to meeting the requirements of the E.O. 13777. The proposed 
revisions streamline the data elements to ones with a specific purpose 
for title IV-B/IV-E statute and program monitoring, Congressional 
reporting, budgeting, and areas where reporting of required information 
to AFCARS would improve the accuracy and reliability of the data in 
AFCARS. An overview of the major proposed revisions to the AFCARS data 
elements follows.
    For the out-of-home care data file, the 2016 final rule required 
approximately 272 items where we require title IV-E agencies to report 
information. In this NPRM, we propose to reduce these points to 
approximately 183, representing 170 that we propose to keep from the 
2016 final rule and 13 we propose to modify.
    We propose a simplification of data elements related to health 
assessments, child financial and medical assistance, child's 
relationship to foster/adoptive parents and legal guardians, and inter-
jurisdictional adoptive/guardianship placements to keep only essential 
information as identified by ANPRM commenters on children in out-of-
home care and who exit to adoption or legal guardianship. We propose to 
remove the following data elements because the information is too 
detailed or qualitative for a national data set, it may be inaccurately 
reported and therefore would be difficult to portray in a meaningful 
way and it does not have a specific purpose for title IV-B/IV-E statute 
and program monitoring, Congressional reporting, or budgeting:
     Educational stability,
     authority for placement and care responsibility,
     private agency living arrangement,
     juvenile justice involvement,
     transition plan and date, and
     interjurisdictional adoption or guardianship jurisdiction 
(name).
    As stated in section II, a third of the states expressed concerns 
with the data elements around sexual orientation and recommended they 
be removed. States commented that if this information is important to 
decisions affecting the child, the information will be in the case 
file; however, when it is not pertinent, states said that asking for 
sexual orientation may be perceived as intrusive and worrisome to those 
who have experienced trauma and discrimination as a result of gender 
identity or sexual orientation. This would be a mandatory conversation 
a worker must have in order to complete the data elements. Mandating 
such a conversation may be contraindicated based on a child's history 
of abuse or neglect.
    In addition to the ANPRM comments, we reviewed the 2014 document 
entitled ``Current Measures of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 
in Federal Surveys'' prepared by the OMB Federal Interagency Working 
Group on Improving Measurement of Sexual Orientation and Gender 
Identity in Federal Surveys. Most concerning to our AFCARS work is the 
section of the document that ``reviews and identifies issues for 
Federal agencies to consider when choosing sexual orientation and 
gender identity (SOGI) questions for inclusion in Federal surveys and 
administrative databases.'' Overall, regardless of whether questions on 
sexual orientation are asked in a survey, interview, or otherwise, they 
may be considered sensitive and/or personal which means that certain 
issues must be considered. The paper specifically indicates that 
``before incorporating SOGI questions in surveys or administrative 
databases, Federal agencies need to consider the purpose and objectives 
of the survey or database and the reason to add SOGI questions.'' 
Further, the paper advises that new questions added to a survey or data 
base should be validated with qualitative techniques and question 
validation efforts should include both the SOGI and non-SOGI groups. In 
addition, the paper identifies other considerations when developing 
questions in this area. This includes a person's age, and the paper 
specifically notes that'' teenagers may be in the midst of developing 
their sexual orientation . . . and therefore they may be unsure of how 
to respond to SOGI questions.'' Adolescents may use different terms to 
describe their sexual orientation than terms used by adults. Bullying 
related to one's sexual orientation may cause some adolescents to be 
reluctant to identify themselves with terms that must be regulated in 
AFCARS. This emphasizes the importance that respondents are confident 
that their responses are private, anonymous, and confidential. Other 
factors that are relevant to asking questions related to sexual 
orientation are cultural or racial/ethnic considerations and geography. 
For example, there may also be regional differences in interviewers' 
and respondents' comfort with questions about their sexual orientation.
    As a result of our review of the OMB document, in particular, 
taking into consideration the need to validate questions related to 
sexual orientation and ensure responses about sexual orientation, 
especially with adolescents, are private, anonymous, and confidential, 
it is clear that AFCARS is not the appropriate vehicle to collect this 
information. It is not feasible for us to test the validity or accuracy 
of adding questions related to sexual orientation across all title IV-E 
agencies. Additionally, it is impossible to ensure that a child's 
response to a question on sexual orientation would be kept private, 
anonymous, or confidential considering a caseworker would be gathering 
this information to enter into a child's case electronic record. 
Information in case records are kept confidential, but because the 
child is in the placement and care of the title IV-E agency, 
information on the child's case must be disclosed to courts and 
providers under specific circumstances, to assist the child and family. 
Information on sexual orientation, if it is not relevant to the child's 
needs, is not appropriate to be included. Information on sexual 
orientation is more appropriately collected through a survey because 
that would allow for testing of the questions, training by staff

[[Page 16577]]

administering the survey, and addressing the issues raised by the OMB 
paper to provide more controls for allowing anonymity, privacy, and 
confidentiality.
    We acknowledge that other personal information is reported to 
AFCARS, such as medical or mental health information. This data, 
however, is documented in official documents, such as medical reports 
and records, and is in the child's case record because section 
475(1)(C) of the Act requires health and education records be in the 
case plan. Information on sexual orientation is not required by the Act 
to be in the child's case plan, and while states agreed that the 
individual workers knowing this information about children and families 
they work with may help them in assisting families, there is no 
statutory requirement that it be reported to a national administrative 
data set.
    However, there was support from commenters for keeping the 
circumstance at removal on whether there was family conflict related to 
the child's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 
This means that agencies will report whether this was a circumstance 
surrounding the child at removal. This is different than asking for 
someone's sexual orientation because the information would be gathered 
during the course of the investigation that resulted in the child's 
removal from the home and documented in the case record. The data 
element Child and family circumstances at removal, has many 
circumstances to which the agency will report whether each ``applies'' 
or ``does not apply.'' If family conflict related to the child's sexual 
orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (Sec.  
1355.44(d)(4)(xxx)) was not known as a circumstance surrounding the 
child at removal, or was not documented in the electronic case record, 
the information will be reported to AFCARS as ``does not apply.'' This 
does not require the worker to have a conversation in instances where 
it is not appropriate or not applicable to the child's wellbeing. We 
believe that this circumstance at removal captures information 
appropriate for a national data set that will provide insight into 
issues of potential discrimination, safety concerns, and homelessness 
experienced by youth because it is inherent in what the circumstance is 
asking. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for analysis via a 
combination of information gleaned from other data elements, for 
example, the sex and marital status of foster parents, adoptive 
parents, and legal guardians. The information from these data elements 
will provide an overview of the number of foster, adoptive, and legal 
guardian couples who identify as non-heterosexual. While we understand 
the importance of collecting sexual orientation data and appreciate the 
comments that supported keeping the data elements, we must balance this 
with the need to collect accurate data per the statue and in a manner 
that is consistent with children's treatment needs.
    We propose a simplification of the ICWA-related data elements to 
the information that commenters to the ANPRM and others during 
consultation indicated were essential for identifying the number of 
children in out-of-home care nationally, who should be afforded the 
protections of ICWA. The ICWA-related data elements from the 2016 final 
rule that we kept and revised are:
     Whether the state title IV-E agency made inquiries of 
whether the child is an Indian child as defined in ICWA,
     child's tribal membership and all federally recognized 
tribes that may potentially be the Indian child's tribe,
     whether ICWA applies for the child and the date that the 
state title IV-E agency was notified by the Indian tribe or state or 
tribal court that ICWA applies,
     whether the Indian child's tribe(s) was sent legal notice 
in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 1912(a), and
     tribal membership of mother, father, foster parents, 
adoptive parents, and legal guardians.
    During consultation, tribal representatives expressed a need for 
information on the tribal membership of children in foster care and 
their foster care/adoptive placements, whether ICWA applies to the 
child, and notification of proceedings per ICWA requirements. These 
data elements were identified as the most important pieces of 
information to be able to know the number of children nationally where 
ICWA applies and provide some national information on whether the state 
made inquiries and whether notification to the Indian child's tribe 
occurred.
    The ICWA-related data elements from the 2016 final rule that we are 
removing are request to transfer to tribal court, denial of transfer, 
court findings related to involuntary and voluntary termination of 
parental rights, including good cause findings, qualified expert 
witness testimony, whether active efforts were made prior to the 
termination/modification, removals under ICWA, available ICWA foster 
care/pre-adoptive placement preferences, adoption/guardianship 
placement preferences under ICWA, good cause and basis for good cause 
under ICWA, and information on active efforts. These data elements 
asked for detailed information on ICWA's requirements, tied to DOI 
regulations and the ICWA statute, and court actions.
    We also understand that it is important to states, Indian tribes, 
and stakeholders to know the information behind the data elements we 
are removing. While we have demonstrated that the detailed ICWA-related 
information from the 2016 final rule is not appropriate for AFCARS, we 
are also demonstrating a commitment to obtain alternative methods that 
will inform aspects of ICWA. First, using the information that will be 
reported for other data elements proposed in the NPRM, ACF, 
researchers, and others will be able to analyze aspects of ICWA to 
inform an assessment of ICWA that occurs outside of AFCARS reporting. 
Below are areas where commenters identified they wanted to keep some of 
the ICWA-related data elements and we explain what we propose to 
collect in other data elements that will inform aspects of ICWA:
     Transfers: We propose to collect whether any child in the 
out-of-home care reporting population exits out-of-home care to a 
transfer to an Indian tribe (that operates a title IV-E program or that 
does not operate a title IV-E program) in Sec.  1355.44(g)(4). We do 
not require reporting on the specifics of ICWA requirements as to 
whether there was a request orally on the record or in writing, whether 
the state court denied the request, and good cause because this 
information is better for a qualitative assessment that can provide 
context. The information proposed in this NPRM on transfers can be used 
to inform a qualitative assessment.
     Placement preferences for foster care, adoption and 
guardianship: We proposed to collect tribal membership of foster/
adoptive parents and guardians, whether placement is relative or kin, 
and the name of the jurisdiction where the child is living for foster 
care (see section 1355.44(e)). We do not require reporting on what 
placements were available, whether the placement meets the requirements 
of the Indian child's tribe or ICWA, or whether the there was good 
cause to deviate from the Indian child's tribe's or ICWA's placement 
preferences. The information we propose in this NPRM on placements and 
tribal membership can be used to inform a qualitative assessment that 
will allow context, because placement decisions are specific to the 
child's needs.

[[Page 16578]]

     Voluntary or involuntary termination/modifications of 
parental rights: We propose to collect whether a termination/
modification of parental rights is voluntary or involuntary and will 
require it be reported for all children (Sec.  1355.44(c)(5)). We do 
not require reporting of the ICWA-specific requirements on court 
findings regarding reasonable doubt on continued custody, qualified 
expert witness testimony, and whether efforts to prevent the breakup of 
the Indian family were unsuccessful. However, knowing whether the 
termination/modification was involuntary or voluntary can be used to 
inform a qualitative assessment on these proceedings because these 
decisions are specific to each case and court action and thus need 
context to fully understand them.
    Additionally, the Court Improvement Program (CIP) requires grantees 
to engage in meaningful and ongoing collaboration with the state child 
welfare agency and tribes (section 438(b)(1)(C) of the Act). In 
furtherance of this statutory mandate, the next program instruction for 
the CIP will encourage grantees to work with the dependency courts 
across their jurisdictions to enhance efforts to collect and track key 
ICWA data indicators. This is logical because the requirements of ICWA 
and accompanying regulations are upon state courts. The capacity of 
state and county courts to collect and track data varies widely across 
the country. Many courts either do not track ICWA-related data 
currently or do so inconsistently. The forthcoming program 
instruction's emphasis on collecting and tracking ICWA-related data 
will be coupled with technical assistance through the CB's technical 
assistance provider for CIP grantees and the courts to help address 
this historic and ongoing information gap. CIP grantees will be 
encouraged to use CIP grant funds to assess the court's ICWA practice, 
support the court's data infrastructure, and train key court personnel 
on the importance of monitoring ICWA. Specifically, CIP grantees will 
be encouraged and supported to collect and monitor data on court 
inquiries, orders and findings related to:
     Identification of Indian children as defined in ICWA,
     notice to Indian tribes,
     tribal participation as parties in hearings involving 
Indian children,
     tribal intervention in dependency cases,
     transfer of ICWA cases to tribal courts, and
     placement of Indian children according to tribal 
preferences.
    These are two examples of how we are committed obtaining more 
information on ICWA through appropriate and alternative methods that 
allow for a fuller understanding of ICWA's role in child welfare cases 
that AFCARS cannot provide. Thus, based on the ANPRM comments and 
consultation, we believe that this proposal represents a balance for 
the need for data on the population of children to whom ICWA applies 
and state concerns for the burden and costs for collecting and 
reporting the large number of ICWA-related data elements in the 2016 
final rule.
    We note that due to the low numbers of children in the out-of-home 
care reporting population where ICWA applies, we will not be able to 
release specific information regarding the child's tribal membership or 
ICWA applicability to requestors, except for the Indian tribe of which 
the child is or may be a member. When AFCARS data is released to the 
public by the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect 
(NDACAN), the data is de-identified, meaning that it does not include 
names, numbers, or other information that would make directly 
identifying the children possible. However, when the NDACAN provides 
data on populations where the number of children in the out-of-home 
care reporting population is low (for example, a county), there is a 
risk of possibly identifying a child using a unique combination of 
indirect identifiers in the AFCARS data, such as tribal membership and 
dates of removals, placements, and exits. To mitigate these risks, the 
NDACAN takes specific measures in releasing the data to protect 
confidentiality. Thus, to protect the confidentiality of these 
children, we will be unable to release certain information related to 
tribal membership or ICWA applicability, except to the Indian tribe of 
which the child is or may be a member.

IV. Implementation Timeframe

    Implementation of changes to the AFCARS data elements as described 
in this NPRM will be dependent on the issuance of a final rule. We 
expect provisions in an eventual final rule to be effective no sooner 
than the start of the second federal fiscal year following the 
publication of the final rule. A precise effective date will be 
dependent on the publication date of the final rule, but this construct 
provides title IV-E agencies with at least one full year before we will 
require them to begin collecting and reporting new AFCARS data 
elements. We welcome public comments on specific provisions included in 
this proposed rule that may warrant a longer phase-in period.

V. Public Participation

    We understand that there have been several opportunities to 
comment, in general, on AFCARS. However, each comment solicitation has 
been on a different iteration of AFCARS. In this NPRM, AFCARS is 
streamlined from the 2016 final rule, thus commenters must focus their 
comments on the data elements proposed in this specific rulemaking. 
Commenters should consider how this proposed iteration of AFCARS will 
impact their work and budgets and be specific when commenting on this 
NPRM. Commenters should identify the specific data elements to which 
their comments apply and provide specific supporting information for 
the comment. We welcome public comments on the data elements that we 
are proposing to remove or revise from the 2016 final rule.
    We encourage commenters to speak to the following:
     Whether the information is readily available or collected 
as part of the title IV-E agency's casework.
     Recordkeeping hours spent annually to adjust existing ways 
to comply with AFCARS requirements, gather and enter information into 
the electronic case management system, and training and administrative 
tasks associated with training personnel on the AFCARS requirements 
(e.g., reviewing instructions, developing training and manuals).
     Reporting hours spent annually extracting the information 
for AFCARS reporting and transmitting the information proposed in this 
NPRM to ACF.
     Timeframes required to complete the work.
     Specifically how reporting the data elements in this NPRM 
will enhance their work with children and families.
    We understand that stakeholders who are not title IV-E agencies 
will not be able to offer specific estimates regarding the burden or 
cost placed on title IV-E agencies for reporting AFCARS because they 
are not required to report AFCARS data. However, we believe that it 
would be appropriate and helpful for commenters to provide specific 
reasons as to why they think AFCARS is the most effective vehicle for 
collection of the data proposed in this NPRM and why no other current 
method is feasible to collect the information. Additional comments that 
would be helpful would describe any work done to coordinate

[[Page 16579]]

with title IV-E agencies in collecting and reporting data for AFCARS 
and how AFCARS data, which is aggregated at the national level, would 
help their specific work with title IV-E agencies, children, and 
families.

VI. Section-by-Section Discussion of Regulatory Provisions

Section 1355.41 Scope of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and 
Reporting System

    This section states the scope of AFCARS. Paragraph (c) of this 
section prescribes the definitions of terms used in the AFCARS data 
elements and these terms as defined in the 2016 final rule are 
unchanged. We propose to make minor conforming amendments to paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (2) to update the citations to the ICWA-related data 
elements as a result of our proposed amendments to Sec.  1355.44.

Section 1355.43 Data Reporting Requirements

    This section states the AFCARS data reporting requirements and 
these requirements are unchanged from the 2016 final rule. In paragraph 
(b)(3), we propose that the title IV-E agency report the date of 
removal, exit date, and exit reason for each child who had an out-of-
home care episode prior to October 1, 2020. As stated in the 2016 final 
rule, this means that title IV-E agencies do not need to report 
complete historical and current information for these children. We are 
proposing this change of the new date to October 1, 2020 to conform to 
the date in the final rule we published in the Federal Register on 
August 21, 2018 (83 FR 42225).

Section 1355.44 Out-of-Home Care Data File Elements

    This section states the data element descriptions for the out-of-
home care data file.

Section 1355.44(a) General Information

    In paragraph (a), we propose that title IV-E agencies collect and 
report general information that identifies the reporting title IV-E 
agency as well as the child in out-of-home care. We propose the data 
elements below and they are unchanged from the 2016 final rule.
    Title IV-E agency. In paragraph (a)(1), we propose that the title 
IV-E agency indicate the name of the title IV-E agency responsible for 
submitting AFCARS data to ACF. A state title IV-E agency must indicate 
its state name. ACF will work with tribal title IV-E agencies to 
provide guidance during implementation.
    Report date. In paragraph (a)(2), we propose that the title IV-E 
agency indicate the report period date, which is the last month and 
year that corresponds with the end of the report period.
    Local agency. In paragraph (a)(3), we propose that the title IV-E 
agency report the name of the local county, jurisdiction, or equivalent 
unit that has responsibility for the child. ACF will work with tribal 
title IV-E agencies to provide guidance during implementation.
    Child record number. In paragraph (a)(4), we propose that the title 
IV-E agency report the child's record number, which is a unique person 
identification number, as an encrypted number. The child record number 
must remain the same for the child no matter where the child lives 
while in the placement and care responsibility of the title IV-E agency 
and across all report periods and out-of-home care episodes. This 
number remains the same if the child exits the out-of-home care data 
file and enters the reporting population for the adoption and 
guardianship assistance data file. The title IV-E agency must apply and 
retain the same encryption routine or method for the child record 
number across all report periods. The title IV-E agency's encryption 
methodology must meet all ACF standards prescribed through technical 
bulletins or policy.

Section 1355.44(b) Child Information

    In paragraph (b), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report child specific information for the identified child in out-of-
home care.
    Child's date of birth. In paragraph (b)(1), we propose that the 
title IV-E agency report the child's date of birth including the month, 
day and year. If the child was abandoned and the actual date of birth 
is not known, an estimated date of birth is to be provided. This is 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the collection 
of comprehensive national information with respect to the demographic 
characteristics of foster children.
    Child's sex. In paragraph (b)(2), we propose to require the title 
IV-E agency to report only the child's sex. The proposed response 
options are ``male'' and ``female''. The response options are unchanged 
from the 2016 final rule; the only change is to the name of the data 
element, from ``gender'' to ``sex''. Commenters to the ANPRM suggested 
that the data element ``gender'' in the 2016 final rule be revised to 
reflect a gender other than male or female but HHS did not identify a 
compelling reason to increase the reporting burden by requesting the 
provision of this information, which might not be collected 
consistently.
    Reason to know a child is an ``Indian Child'' as defined in the 
Indian Child Welfare Act. In paragraph (b)(3), we propose to require 
the state title IV-E agency to report whether it made inquiries to 
determine if the child is an Indian child as defined in ICWA. The 2016 
final rule requires state title IV-E agencies to report whether it 
specifically inquired with seven different people/entities. We propose 
to modify this data element from the 2016 final rule to require the 
state title IV-E agency to report generally whether inquiries were made 
as to whether the child is an Indian child as defined in ICWA and 
remove the list of specific people/entities. As we explained in section 
II, the specifics of the individual people/entities inquired with are 
better suited for a qualitative review because this information is too 
detailed for national statistics and therefore would be difficult to 
portray in a meaningful way. However, during consultation, it was noted 
that knowing whether the title IV-E agency inquired about the child's 
status as an Indian child as defined in ICWA is essential in 
determining whether ICWA applies for a child. Commenters to the ANPRM 
also noted that this information is useful demographic information on 
the children in the out-of-home care reporting population.
    Child's tribal membership. In paragraph (b)(4), we propose to 
require the state title IV-E agency to report whether the child is a 
member of or eligible for membership in an Indian tribe and if so, 
indicate all of the federally recognized tribes with which the child 
may potentially be associated. This information must be submitted in a 
format specified by ACF. In the 2016 final rule, this is part of the 
data elements on Reason to know a child is an ``Indian Child'' as 
defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act. We propose to modify this data 
element from the 2016 final rule to make it a separate data element 
asking about the child's tribal membership status and report all 
federally recognized tribes that may potentially be the Indian child's 
tribe(s), if applicable. During consultation, it was noted that knowing 
whether the child is a member of or eligible for membership in an 
Indian tribe is essential in determining whether ICWA applies for a 
child. Commenters to the ANPRM also noted that this information is 
useful demographic information on the children in the out-of-home care 
reporting population.
    Application of ICWA. In paragraph (b)(5), we propose to require the 
state

[[Page 16580]]

title IV-E agency to report whether ICWA applies for the child and if 
yes, the date the Indian tribe or state or tribal court notified the 
state title IV-E agency that ICWA applies. In the 2016 final rule, this 
information is split among multiple data elements that ask whether the 
state title IV-E agency knows or has reason to know that the child is 
an Indian child as defined in ICWA, whether a court determined that 
ICWA applies, and if so, the date of the court determination. We 
propose to revise this data element from the 2016 final rule to only 
ask whether ICWA applies for the child, with a response of ``yes'', 
``no'', or ``unknown,'' and if yes, the date the state title IV-E 
agency was notified of this determination. As we explained in section 
II, commenters to the ANPRM felt that some of the ICWA-related data 
elements were redundant because they asked for similar information in 
multiple data elements. This is one area that the commenters noted 
should be combined. The data we propose to collect in paragraph (b)(5) 
will identify the child records in the out-of-home care reporting 
population where ICWA applies and will provide a national number of the 
children in the out-of-home care reporting population to whom ICWA 
applies.
    Notification. In paragraph (b)(6), we propose to require the state 
title IV-E agency to report whether the child's Indian tribe was sent 
legal notice, in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 1912(a), if the state title 
IV-E agency indicated ``yes'' in paragraph (b)(5)(i). The data element 
in the 2016 final rule requires state title IV-E agencies to report 
also whether notice was sent to the Indian child's parent or Indian 
custodian. We propose to modify this data element from the 2016 final 
rule to only require the state title IV-E agency to respond with 
``yes'' or ``no'' that it sent notification to the Indian tribe. 
Notification was identified during consultation as a key aspect of 
ICWA's requirements that should remain in AFCARS because notification 
is critical to meaningful access to and participation in adjudications. 
The data will help identify to what extent notification is being done 
by the state title IV-E agency on a national level for children in the 
out-of-home care reporting population.
    Child's race. In paragraph (b)(7), we propose to require the title 
IV-E agency to report the race of the child. We continue to propose 
this data element because section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the 
collection of comprehensive national information with respect to the 
demographic characteristics of foster children. In paragraph (b)(7)(vi) 
for Race-unknown, we added instructions to clarify that this category 
does not apply when the child has been abandoned or the parents failed 
to return and the identity of the child, parent(s), or legal 
guardian(s) is known. If a child is abandoned, the title IV-E agency 
must report per paragraph (b)(7)(vii). We made this clarifying edit to 
address some confusion expressed by commenters to the ANPRM. All other 
data elements are unchanged from the 2016 final rule.
    Child's Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. In paragraph (b)(8), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the Hispanic or 
Latino ethnicity of the child. This is unchanged from the 2016 final 
rule. We continue to propose this data element because section 
479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the collection of comprehensive 
national information with respect to the demographic characteristics of 
foster children.
    Health assessment. In paragraph (b)(9), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report whether the child had a health assessment 
during the current out-of-home care episode. We propose to simplify 
this data element from the 2016 final rule to require the title IV-E 
agency to respond ``yes'' or ``no'' and to remove the additional data 
elements for reporting the date of the child's most recent health 
assessment and if it was within the timeframes established by the 
agency. Commenters suggested removing these data elements because the 
specific information around the dates of health assessments and whether 
they are timely is too detailed for national statistics and therefore 
would be difficult to portray in a meaningful way. However, commenters 
noted that knowing whether a child had a health assessment will support 
ACF in assessing the current state of the well-being of children placed 
in out-of-home care and implementation of title IV-B requirement around 
health assessment and planning per section 422(b)(15)(A) of the Act.
    Health, behavioral or mental health conditions. In paragraph 
(b)(10), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether 
the child was diagnosed by a qualified professional as having one or 
more health, behavioral or mental health conditions from a list of 
eleven conditions prior to or during the child's current out-of-home 
care episode. If so, the agency must report whether it is an existing 
condition or a previous condition (a previous diagnoses that no longer 
exists as a current condition). The title IV-E agency must also report 
if the child had an exam or assessment, but none of the conditions 
apply, or if the agency has not received the results of the exam or 
assessment. When the child has not had an exam or assessment, the 
agency must indicate so. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
continue to propose this data element because the annual outcomes 
report to Congress includes statistics on children with a diagnosed 
disability and also must contain information on children placed in a 
child care institution with a special needs or another diagnosed mental 
or physical illness or condition, per section 479A(a)(7)(A)(i)(III) of 
the Act. The information needed for the annual outcomes report to 
Congress comes from AFCARS data.
    School enrollment. In paragraph (b)(11), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report whether the child is a full-time student at 
and enrolled in (or in the process of enrolling in) elementary or 
secondary education, or is a full or part-time student at and enrolled 
in post-secondary education or training, or college, or whether the 
child is not enrolled in any school setting. This is unchanged from the 
2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data element because we 
will use this information, combined with other AFCARS data elements, to 
assess nationally the well-being of children placed in out-of-home care 
as part of monitoring the title IV-B and IV-E programs through reviews.
    Educational level. In paragraph (b)(12), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report the highest educational level from 
kindergarten to college or post-secondary education/training, as well 
as a general equivalency diploma (GED), completed by the child as of 
the last day of the report period. This is unchanged from the 2016 
final rule. We continue to propose this data element because we will 
use this information, combined with other AFCARS data elements to 
assess nationally the well-being of children placed in out-of-home care 
as part of monitoring the title IV-B and IV-E programs through reviews.
    Pregnant or parenting. In paragraph (b)(13), we propose to require 
the title IV-E agency to report whether the child has ever fathered or 
bore a child, as well as whether the child and child(ren) are placed 
together in foster care. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. 
This data element is used in the annual report to Congress consistent 
with section 479A(a)(7)(B) of the Act and budget formulation for the 
title IV-E program.
    Special education. In paragraph (b)(14), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report on the child's

[[Page 16581]]

special education status by indicating if the child has an 
Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family 
Service Program (IFSP). This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
continue to propose this data element because the annual report to 
Congress must contain information on children placed in a child care 
institution receiving specialized education, per section 
479A(a)(7)(A)(i)(IV) of the Act.
    Prior adoption. In paragraph (b)(15), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report whether the child experienced a prior legal 
adoption, including any public, private, or independent adoption in the 
United States or adoption in another country, and a tribal customary 
adoption, prior to the current out-of-home care episode. If so, the 
title IV-E agency must report the date it was finalized and whether the 
child's prior adoption was an intercountry adoption. This is unchanged 
from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data element to 
fulfill the statutory mandate in section 479(c)(3)(C)(ii) and 479(d) of 
the Act which requires information regarding children who enter into 
foster care after prior finalization of an adoption. This information 
will also be used to improve consistency with the data we provide to 
the State Department for their reports regarding international 
adoptions. Currently, the information is reported via a narrative in 
the CFSP and annual updates. This proposed method is preferred because 
currently the information must be compiled from the narratives and the 
reporting is not consistent across title IV-E agencies. Having this 
information in AFCARS will improve the accuracy, reliability, and 
consistency of the data because it will become an automated reporting 
through AFCARS.
    Prior guardianship. In paragraph (b)(16), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report whether the child experienced a prior legal 
guardianship and if so, to report the date that the prior legal 
guardianship became legalized. This is unchanged from the 2016 final 
rule. We continue to propose this data element to fulfill the statutory 
mandate in section 479(d) of the Act which requires information 
regarding children who enter into foster care after prior finalization 
of a legal guardianship.
    Child financial and medical assistance. In paragraph (b)(17), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether the child 
received financial and medical assistance, other than title IV-E foster 
care maintenance payments. We propose to revise this data element from 
the 2016 final rule to simplify the types of assistance to be reported 
to only include: ``state/tribal adoption assistance''; ``state/tribal 
foster care''; ``Title IV-E adoption subsidy''; ``Title IV-E 
guardianship assistance''; ``Title IV-A TANF''; ``Title IV-B''; 
``Chafee Foster Care Independence Program''; or ``Other''. The data 
element in the 2016 final rule required state title IV-E agencies to 
report also whether the child received SSI or Social Security Benefits, 
title XIX, title XXI, title XX, or child support. We propose to remove 
those five data elements due to ANPRM comments that cited reporting on 
the multiple financial options as burdensome and suggested these data 
elements be streamlined. The financial categories that remain are the 
essentials for children in out-of-home care to meet the requirement in 
section 479(c)(3)(D) of the Act related to the nature of assistance 
supporting the child. The other categories were determined to be 
extraneous information and delineating these categories in AFCARS does 
not enhance information about the child when other reporting methods, 
such as the CB-496 financial reporting form, exist to address this 
information.
    Title IV-E foster care during report period. In paragraph (b)(18), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether a title 
IV-E foster care maintenance payment was paid on behalf of the child at 
any point during the report period. This is unchanged from the 2016 
final rule. We propose to continue this data element because section 
479(c)(3)(D) of the Act requires the collection of the extent and 
nature of assistance provided by federal, state, and local adoption and 
foster care programs and it is used for the federal title IV-E reviews 
per 45 CFR 1356.71.
    Siblings. In paragraphs (b)(19) through (21), we propose to require 
title IV-E agency to report the total number of siblings that the child 
has, if applicable, the number of siblings who are in foster care as 
defined in Sec.  1355.20, and the number of siblings who are in the 
same living arrangement as the child, on the last day of the report 
period. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose these data elements on siblings because we will use this 
information, combined with other AFCARS data elements to assess 
nationally the well-being of children placed in out-of-home care as 
part of monitoring the title IV-B and IV-E programs through the Child 
and Family Services Reviews (CFSR).

Section 1355.44(c) Parent or Legal Guardian Information

    In paragraph (c), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report information on the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
    Year of birth parent(s) or legal guardian(s). In paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (2), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the 
birth year of the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s). If the child 
has both a parent and a legal guardian, or two different sets of legal 
parents, the title IV-E agency must report on those who had legal 
responsibility for the child. If the child was abandoned and the 
identity of the parent or legal guardian is unknown and cannot be 
ascertained, the title IV-E agency would indicate ``abandoned.'' If 
there is not another parent or legal guardian, the title IV-E agency 
would indicate ``not applicable.'' This is unchanged from the 2016 
final rule. We continue to propose this data element because section 
479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the collection of comprehensive 
national information with respect to the demographic characteristics of 
biological parents.
    Tribal membership mother and father. In paragraphs (c)(3) and (4), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether the 
biological or adoptive mother and father are members of an Indian 
tribe. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. During consultation, 
it was noted that knowing whether the mother and father are members of 
an Indian tribe is necessary in determining whether ICWA applies for a 
child.
    Termination/modification of parental rights. In paragraph (c)(5), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether the 
rights for each parent were terminated or modified on a voluntary or 
involuntary basis. A voluntary termination means the parent(s) 
voluntarily relinquished parental rights to the title IV-E agency, with 
or without court involvement. In paragraph (c)(5)(i), we propose that 
the title IV-E agency report each date the petition to terminate/modify 
parental rights was filed, if applicable. In paragraph (c)(5)(ii), we 
propose that the title IV-E agency report the date parental rights were 
terminated/modified, if applicable. This is unchanged from the 2016 
final rule. Section 479(c)(3)(B) of the Act requires title IV-E 
agencies to report on the status of the foster care population, 
including children available for adoption. The termination/modification 
dates, petition dates, and whether it is voluntary or involuntary is 
used for title IV-E program monitoring via the CFSR to monitor 
compliance with the

[[Page 16582]]

requirement in section 475(5)(E) of the Act. In the case of a child who 
has been in foster care under the responsibility of the title IV-E 
agency for 15 of the most recent 22 months, section 475(5)(E) of the 
Act requires the title IV-E agency to file a petition to terminate the 
parental rights unless an exception exists, as defined in statute. 
Having this information in AFCARS will improve the accuracy and 
reliability of the dates to use for the CFSR.

Section 1355.44(d) Removal Information

    In paragraph (d), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report information on each of the child's removal(s).
    Date of child's removal. In paragraph (d)(1), we propose to require 
the title IV-E agency to collect and report the date(s), on which the 
child was removed for each removal of a child who enters the placement 
and care responsibility of the title IV-E agency. For a child who ran 
away or whose whereabouts are unknown at the time of removal, the title 
IV-E agency would indicate the date they received placement and care 
responsibility. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We propose 
to continue this data element consistent with section 479(c)(3)(C) of 
the Act which requires that the data collection system include 
characteristics of children entering out-of-home care. This information 
is also used in the annual outcomes report to Congress.
    Removal transaction date. In paragraph (d)(2), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report the transaction date for each 
of the child's removal dates reported in paragraph (d)(1) using a non-
modifiable, computer-generated date which accurately indicates the 
month, day and year each response to paragraph (d)(1) was entered into 
the information system. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
propose to continue this data element consistent with section 479(c)(2) 
of the Act which requires the collection of this data element in order 
to assure that the data collected is reliable and consistent over time.
    Environment at removal. In paragraph (d)(3), we propose to require 
the title IV-E agency to report the type of environment (household or 
facility) from a list of seven that the child was living in at the time 
of each of the child's removals reported in paragraph (d)(1). This is 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because it enables us to analyze removals of children over time 
for technical assistance and monitoring.
    Child and family circumstances at removal. In paragraph (d)(4), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report all of the 
circumstances surrounding the child and family at each removal reported 
in paragraph (d)(1) from a list of 34 circumstances. The agency must 
report all child and family circumstances that are present at the time 
of each removal, including the circumstances that contributed to the 
decision to place the child into out-of-home care. We continue to 
propose this data element because multiple sections of the Act require 
the information that will be reported in the circumstances: Section 
479(c)(3)(C) of the Act requires identification of the characteristics 
of children placed in foster care, the annual outcomes report to 
Congress must contain information on children placed in a child care 
institution with special needs or another diagnosed mental or physical 
illness or condition, per section 479A(a)(7)(A)(i)(III) of the Act, and 
section 471(d) of the Act requires an annual report to Congress 
regarding information on children and youth who are sex trafficking 
victims. We propose to make only minor revisions to three circumstances 
which are in paragraphs (d)(4)(ix), (xxvi), and (xxx). In paragraph 
(d)(4)(ix) Abandonment, we propose to revise the instruction to not 
include a child who is left at a ``safe haven'' and in paragraph 
(d)(4)(xxvi) Voluntary relinquishment for adoption, we propose to 
include the instruction that this includes a child who is left at a 
``safe haven.'' We understand from providing technical assistance to 
title IV-E agencies that there may be specific laws and policies in the 
states that separate children who are ``abandoned'' from those who are 
left at a ``safe haven'' and a better reflection of this in the data is 
to include children left at a ``safe haven'' under paragraph 
(d)(4)(xxvi) Voluntary relinquishment for adoption. In paragraph 
(d)(4)(xxx) Family conflict related to child's sexual orientation, 
gender identity, or gender expression, we modified the data element 
definition to define it as the child's expressed or perceived sexual 
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any conflict 
related to the ways in which a child manifests masculinity or 
femininity. These revisions clarify the purpose of the circumstance, 
which is to know whether the child's expression or the caregiver's 
perception of the child's sexual orientation or gender identity is a 
circumstance associated with the child's removal. The rest of the 
circumstances are unchanged from the 2016 final rule.
    Victim of sex trafficking prior to entering foster care. In 
paragraph (d)(5), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report 
whether the child had been a victim of sex trafficking before the 
current out-of-home care episode and if yes, the agency must indicate 
whether it reported each instance to law enforcement and the dates of 
each report. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(E)(i) of the Act 
requires the data system collection include an annual number of 
children who were victims of sex trafficking prior to entering foster 
care and this information will inform reports required in sections 
471(a)(34)(B) and 471(d) of the Act on children and youth reported to 
be sex trafficking victims.
    Victim of sex trafficking while in foster care. In paragraph 
(d)(6), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether 
the child was a victim of sex trafficking while in out-of-home care 
during the current episode and if yes, the agency must indicate whether 
it reported each instance to law enforcement and the dates of each 
report. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(E)(ii) of the Act 
requires the data system collection include an annual number of 
children who were victims of sex trafficking while in foster care and 
this information will inform reports required in sections 471(a)(34)(B) 
and 471(d) of the Act on children and youth reported to be sex 
trafficking victims.

Section 1355.44(e) Living Arrangement and Provider Information

    In paragraph (e), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report information on each of the child's living arrangements for each 
out-of-home care episode.
    Date of living arrangement. In paragraph (e)(1), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report the date of each living 
arrangement. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(B) of the Act 
requires that the data collection system include the length of 
placement in an out-of-home care setting.
    Foster family home. In paragraph (e)(2), we propose to require the 
title IV-E agency to report whether or not a child resides in a foster 
family home for each living arrangement. If the title IV-E agency 
reports ``yes'', then the agency must complete paragraph (e)(3). This 
is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(B) of the Act requires that the data 
collection system

[[Page 16583]]

include the length and type of placement.
    Foster family home type. In paragraph (e)(3), we propose to require 
the title IV-E agency to report the foster family home type. The title 
IV-E agency must indicate whether each of the following proposed foster 
family home types ``applies'' or ``does not apply'': licensed home, 
therapeutic foster family home, shelter care foster family home, 
relative foster family home, pre-adoptive home, and kin foster family 
home. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(B) of the Act 
requires that the data collection system include the type of placement 
for the child.
    Other living arrangement type. In paragraph (e)(4), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report whether a child is placed in 
one of 14 living arrangements for a child who is not placed in a foster 
family home, as indicated in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, for each 
living arrangement. The proposed living arrangement types are mutually 
exclusive and are as follows: ``group home-family-operated'', ``group 
home-staff-operated'', ``group home-shelter care'', ``residential 
treatment center'', ``qualified residential treatment program'', 
``child care institution'', ``child care institution-shelter care'', 
``supervised independent living'', ``juvenile justice facility'', 
``medical or rehabilitative facility'', ``psychiatric hospital'', 
``runaway'', ``whereabouts unknown'', and ``placed at home''. We 
propose to modify the list of options from the 2016 final rule to 
include a ``qualified residential treatment program'' as a new 
placement option per revisions made by Public Law 115-123 at section 
472(k)(2)(A) and (4) of the Act to add these specialized placements 
where children may be placed. Qualified residential treatment programs 
must meet specific requirements outlined at section 472(k)(4) of the 
Act and should not be reported under the response option ``residential 
treatment centers.'' We also propose to modify the definition of the 
response option ``residential treatment center'' to include when the 
child is placed with a parent who is in a licensed residential family-
based treatment facility for substance abuse per section 472(j) of the 
Act. We propose this revision due to the changes made by Public Law 
115-123 at section 472(j) of the Act to allow foster care maintenance 
payments for a child placed with a parent in these specified 
placements. We propose to modify the definition of the response option 
``child care institution'' to include a setting specializing in 
providing prenatal, post-partum, or parenting supports for youth per 
section 472(k)(2)(B) of the Act, and a setting providing high-quality 
residential care and supportive services to children and youth who have 
been found to be, or are at risk of becoming, sex trafficking victims 
per section 472(k)(2)(D) of the Act. We propose this revision due to 
the changes made by Public Law 115-123 at section 472(k) of the Act. 
The other response options are unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
continue to propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(B) of 
the Act requires that the data collection system include the type of 
placement. The annual outcomes report to Congress must contain 
information on children placed in a child care institution or other 
setting that is not a foster family home including the type of the 
placement setting, per section 479A(a)(7)(A) of the Act.
    Location of living arrangement. In paragraph (e)(5), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report the location of each living 
arrangement. The proposed locations are as follows: ``Out-of-State or 
out-of-Tribal service area''; ``In-State or in-Tribal service area''; 
``Out-of-country''; and ``Runaway or whereabouts unknown''. This is 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(C) of the Act requires that the data 
collection system include information on children placed in foster care 
outside the title IV-E agency that has placement and care 
responsibility.
    Jurisdiction or country where child is living. In paragraph (e)(6), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report and name the 
jurisdiction or country where the child is living in a format according 
to ACF's specifications. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
continue to propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(B) of 
the Act requires that the data collection system include information on 
children placed in foster care outside the title IV-E agency that has 
placement and care responsibility. Further, this information will be 
used to inform the information provided in paragraph (e)(5).
    Marital status of the foster parent(s). In paragraph (e)(7), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report foster parent's 
marital status. The marital status response options are as follows: 
``married couple'', ``unmarried couple'', ``separated'', and ``single 
adult''. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act 
requires the collection of comprehensive national information on the 
demographic characteristics of foster parents. Also, this information 
is currently used to inform recruitment campaigns for foster parents.
    Child's relationship to the foster parent(s). In paragraph (e)(8), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the child's 
relationship to the foster parent(s). We propose to simplify the 
response options from the 2016 final rule from seven to three: 
``relative(s)'', ``nonrelative(s)'', and ``kin''. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act 
requires the collection of comprehensive national information on the 
demographic characteristics of foster parents. However, we propose to 
streamline the response options because primarily we are interested in 
knowing whether the child's foster parent is a relative, nonrelative, 
or kin. This will inform placement types and be used for foster parent 
recruitment campaigns. However, the level of specificity in the 2016 
final rule's response options serves no identified purpose.
    Year of birth for foster parent(s). In paragraphs (e)(9) and (14), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the year of birth 
of the foster parent(s). If there is no second foster parent, then the 
title IV-E agency must leave paragraph (e)(14) blank. This is unchanged 
from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data element 
because section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the collection of 
comprehensive national information with respect to the demographic 
characteristics of foster parents.
    Foster parent(s) tribal membership. In paragraphs (e)(10) and (15), 
we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the tribal 
membership of the foster parent(s). If there is no second foster 
parent, then the title IV-E agency must leave paragraph (e)(15) blank. 
This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. Commenters to the ANPRM 
noted that knowing whether the foster parents are members of an Indian 
tribe will provide information related to ICWA placement preferences in 
AFCARS.
    Race of foster parent(s). In paragraphs (e)(11) and (16), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the race of the 
foster parent(s). If there is no second foster parent, then the title 
IV-E agency must leave paragraph (e)(16) blank. This is unchanged from 
the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data element because 
section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the collection of 
comprehensive national information with respect to the demographic 
characteristics of foster parents.

[[Page 16584]]

    Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of foster parent(s). In paragraphs 
(e)(12) and (17), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report 
the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the foster parent(s). If there is 
no second foster parent, then the title IV-E agency must leave 
paragraph (e)(17) blank. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
continue to propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(A) of 
the Act requires the collection of comprehensive national information 
with respect to the demographic characteristics of foster parents.
    Sex of foster parent(s). In paragraphs (e)(13) and (18), we propose 
to require the title IV-E agency to report the sex of the foster 
parent(s). If there is no second foster parent, then the title IV-E 
agency must leave paragraph (e)(18) blank. The response options are 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule; the only change is to the name of 
the data element, from ``gender'' to ``sex''. We propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(A) of the Act requires the collection 
of comprehensive national information with respect to the demographic 
characteristics of foster parents. Commenters to the ANPRM suggested 
that the data element ``gender'' in the 2016 final rule be revised to 
reflect a gender other than male or female, but HHS did not identify a 
compelling reason to increase the reporting burden by requesting the 
provision of this information, which might not be collected 
consistently.

Section 1355.44(f) Permanency Planning

    In paragraph (f), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report information related to permanency planning for children in out-
of-home care, which includes permanency plans, hearings, and caseworker 
visits with the child.
    Permanency plan and date. In paragraph (f)(1), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report each permanency plan 
established for the child. The proposed permanency plan options are as 
follows: ``reunify with parent(s) or legal guardian(s)''; ``live with 
other relatives''; ``adoption''; ``guardianship''; ``planned permanent 
living arrangement''; and ``permanency plan not established''. In 
paragraph (f)(2), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report 
the date of each permanency plan. These data elements are unchanged 
from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose these data elements 
because section 479(c)(3)(B) of the Act requires that the data 
collection system include the goals for ending or continuing foster 
care and this information is used in the annual outcomes report to 
Congress.
    Date of periodic review(s) and permanency hearing(s). In paragraph 
(f)(3), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the date 
of each periodic review, either by a court, or an administrative review 
(as defined in section 475(6) of the Act) that meets the requirements 
of section 475(5)(B) of the Act. In paragraph (f)(4), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report the date of each permanency 
hearing held by a court or an administrative body appointed or approved 
by the court that meets the requirements of section 475(5)(C) of the 
Act. These data elements are unchanged from the 2016 final rule. This 
information will be used for title IV-B/IV-E program monitoring via the 
CFSR and having this information in AFCARS will allow us to more 
accurately assess the quality and frequency of these hearings/reviews.
    Caseworker visit dates and locations. In paragraph (f)(5), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the date of each in-
person, face-to-face caseworker visit with the child, consistent with 
section 422(b)(17) of the Act. In paragraph (f)(6), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report each caseworker visit location 
from two response options: ``Child's residence'' and ``other 
location.'' These data elements are unchanged from the 2016 final rule. 
Currently, information on caseworker visits to meet the requirements of 
section 424(f) and 479A(a)(6) of the Act is reported via the CFSP and 
annual updates. Reporting this information in AFCARS instead will 
improve the accuracy of the data and alleviate the burden of agencies 
having to report on this as a narrative in the CFSP and annual updates.

Section 1355.44(g) General Exit Information

    In paragraph (g), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report exit information for each out-of-home care episode. An exit 
occurs when the title IV-E agency's placement and care responsibility 
of the child ends.
    Date of exit. In paragraph (g)(1), we propose to require the title 
IV-E agency to report the date for each of the child's exits from out-
of-home care. If this data element is applicable, the data elements in 
paragraphs (g)(2) and (3) of this section must have a response. This is 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We propose to continue this data 
element consistent with section 479(c)(3) of the Act which requires 
that the data collection system include the length of a child's 
placement in out-of-home care. This information is also used in the 
annual outcomes report to Congress that measures the length of time 
children are in foster care, re-entry rates, and permanency and 
calculating awards for the adoption and guardianship incentives payment 
program under section 473A of the Act.
    Exit transaction date. In paragraph (g)(2), we propose to require 
the title IV-E agency to report a non-modifiable, computer-generated 
date which accurately indicates the date of each response to paragraph 
(g)(1) of this section. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We 
propose to continue this data element consistent with section 479(c)(2) 
of the Act which requires that the data collected is reliable and 
consistent over time.
    Exit reason. In paragraph (g)(3), we propose to require the title 
IV-E agency to report the reason for each of the child's exits from 
out-of-home care. The proposed exit reasons are as follows: ``not 
applicable''; ``reunify with parents/legal guardian''; ``live with 
other relatives''; ``adoption''; ``emancipation''; ``guardianship''; 
``runaway or whereabouts unknown''; ``death of child''; and ``transfer 
to another agency''. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. This 
information in combination with the date of exit is used in the annual 
outcomes report to Congress that measures the length of time children 
are in foster care, re-entry rates, and permanency.
    Transfer to another agency. In paragraph (g)(4), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report the type of agency that 
received placement and care responsibility for the child if the title 
IV-E agency indicated the child was transferred to another agency in 
paragraph (g)(3). The proposed agency types are: ``state title IV-E 
agency''; ``tribal title IV-E agency''; ``Indian tribe or tribal agency 
(non-IV-E)''; ``juvenile justice agency''; ``mental health agency''; 
``other public agency''; and ``private agency''. This is unchanged from 
the 2016 final rule. This information is used to provide further 
information on the transfer indicated in paragraph (g)(3) that aids in 
data accuracy consistent with the requirement for reliable and 
consistent data in section 479(c)(2) of the Act.

Section 1355.44(h) Exit to Adoption and Guardianship Information

    In paragraph (h), we propose that the title IV-E agency collect and 
report information only if the title IV-E agency indicated the child 
exited to adoption or legal guardianship in Exit reason paragraph 
(g)(3) of this section. Otherwise, the title IV-E agency must leave 
paragraph (h) blank.

[[Page 16585]]

    Marital status of the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s). In 
paragraph (h)(1), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report 
the marital status of the adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The 
marital status response options are as follows: ``married couple''; 
``married but individually adopting or obtaining legal guardianship''; 
``unmarried couple''; and ``single adult''. This is unchanged from the 
2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data element because 
section 479(c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(C)(i) of the Act requires the 
collection of comprehensive national information with respect to the 
demographic characteristics of adoptive parents and of children who 
exit from foster care. Additionally, this information will inform 
permanency outcomes information and adoption recruitment campaigns.
    Child's relationship to the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s). In 
paragraph (h)(2), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report 
the type of relationship between the child and the adoptive parent(s) 
or legal guardian(s). We propose to simplify the response options from 
the 2016 final rule from seven to four: ``relative(s)''; 
``nonrelative(s)''; ``foster parent(s)''; and ``kin''. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(C)(i) 
of the Act requires the collection of comprehensive national 
information on the demographic characteristics of adoptive parents and 
children who exit from foster care. However, we propose to streamline 
the response options because primarily we are interested in knowing 
whether the child's adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s) is a relative, 
nonrelative, or kin to inform permanency outcomes data and family 
recruitment. However, the level of specificity in the 2016 final rule's 
response options serves no identified purpose.
    Date of birth of the adoptive parent or guardian. In paragraph 
(h)(3) and (8), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report 
the date of the birth of the adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s). 
The title IV-E agency must leave (h)(8) blank if there is no second 
adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of the couple. This is 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(C)(i) of the Act 
requires the collection of comprehensive national information with 
respect to the demographic characteristics of adoptive parents and 
children who exit from foster care. Additionally, this information will 
inform permanency outcomes information and adoption recruitment 
campaigns.
    Adoptive parent or guardian tribal membership. In paragraph (h)(4) 
and (9), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether 
the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s) is a member of an Indian tribe. 
The title IV-E agency must leave paragraph (h)(9) blank if there is no 
second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of the couple. 
This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. Commenters to the ANPRM 
noted that knowing whether the adoptive parents or legal guardians are 
members of an Indian tribe will provide information related to ICWA 
placement preferences in AFCARS. Additionally, this information will 
inform permanency outcomes information and adoption recruitment 
campaigns.
    Race of adoptive parent or guardian. In paragraph (h)(5) and 
(h)(10), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the 
adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s)'s race as determined by the 
individual. The title IV-E agency must leave paragraph (h)(10) blank if 
there is no second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of 
the couple. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to 
propose this data element because section 479(c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(C)(i) 
of the Act requires the collection of comprehensive national 
information with respect to the demographic characteristics of adoptive 
parents and children who exit from foster care.
    Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of first adoptive parent or guardian. 
In paragraph (h)(6) and (h)(11), we propose to require the title IV-E 
agency to report whether the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s) is of 
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity as determined by the individual. The title 
IV-E agency must leave paragraph (h)(11) blank if there is no second 
adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of the couple. This is 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(C)(i) of the Act 
requires the collection of comprehensive national information with 
respect to the demographic characteristics of adoptive parents and 
children who exit from foster care.
    Sex of first adoptive parent or guardian. In paragraph (h)(7) and 
(12), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the sex of 
the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s). The title IV-E agency must leave 
paragraph (h)(12) blank if there is no second adoptive parent, legal 
guardian, or other member of the couple. The response options are 
unchanged from the 2016 final rule; the only change is to the name of 
the data element, from ``gender'' to ``sex''. We propose this data 
element because section 479(c)(3)(A) and (c)(3)(C)(i) of the Act 
requires the collection of comprehensive national information with 
respect to the demographic characteristics of adoptive parents and 
children who exit from foster care. Additionally, this information will 
inform permanency outcomes information and adoption recruitment 
campaigns. While some agencies currently allow individuals to identify 
as a gender other than male or female and commenters to the ANPRM 
suggested that the data element ``gender'' in the final 2016 rule be 
revised to reflect a gender other than male or female, but HHS did not 
identify a compelling reason to increase the reporting burden by 
requesting the provision of this information, which might not be 
collected consistently.
    Inter/Intrajurisdictional adoption or guardianship. In paragraph 
(h)(13), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to report whether 
the child was placed within the state or tribal service area, outside 
of the state or tribal service area or into another country for 
adoption or legal guardianship. The proposed placement types are as 
follows: ``interjurisdictional adoption or guardianship''; 
``intercountry adoption or guardianship''; and ``intrajurisdictional 
adoption or guardianship''. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. 
We continue to propose this data element to inform permanency outcomes 
information, adoption recruitment campaigns, and statutorily mandated 
efforts to remove barriers to placing children for adoption in a timely 
manner per section 471(a)(23) of the Act.
    Assistance agreement type. In paragraph (h)(14), we propose to 
require the title IV-E agency to report the type of assistance 
agreement between the title IV-E agency and the adoptive parent(s) or 
legal guardian(s). The proposed assistant agreement types are as 
follows: ``Title IV-E adoption assistance agreement;'' ``State/tribal 
adoption assistance agreement;'' ``Adoption-Title IV-E agreement non-
recurring expenses only;'' ``Adoption-Title IV-E agreement Medicaid 
only;'' ``Title IV-E guardianship assistance agreement;'' ``State/
tribal guardianship assistance agreement;'' or ``no agreement''. This 
is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue to propose this data 
element because it is used in calculations for the adoption and 
guardianship incentives payment program under section 473A of the Act.

[[Page 16586]]

    Siblings in adoptive or guardianship home. In paragraph (h)(15), we 
propose to require the title IV-E agency to report the number of 
siblings of the child who are in the same adoptive or guardianship home 
as the child. This is unchanged from the 2016 final rule. We continue 
to propose this data element so that the information reported can be 
used with other AFCARS data elements to assess nationally the current 
state of the well-being of children adopted or in a legal guardianship 
as part of monitoring the title IV-E and IV-B programs through the 
CFSR.

Section 1355.45 Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Data File

    This section states the data element descriptions for the adoption 
and guardianship assistance data file. The data elements in this 
section are unchanged from 2016 final rule with the exceptions 
described below.
    In paragraph (b)(2), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to 
report the sex of the child using the response options of ``male or'' 
``female''. The response options are unchanged from the 2016 final 
rule; the only change is to the name of the data element, from 
``gender'' to ``sex''. Commenters to the ANPRM suggested that the data 
element ``gender'' in the 2016 rule be revised to reflect a gender 
other than male or female, but HHS did not identify a compelling reason 
to increase the reporting burden by requesting the provision of this 
information, which might not be collected consistently.
    In paragraph (b)(3)(vi), for Race-unknown, we added instructions 
that this paragraph must be reported if the child or parent or legal 
guardian does not know, or is unable to communicate the race, or at 
least one race of the child is not known. We also clarified that this 
category does not apply when the child has been abandoned or the 
parents failed to return and the identity of the child, parent(s), or 
legal guardian(s) is known. We made these clarifying edits to match 
edits we propose in section 1355.44(b)(7)(vi).
    In paragraph (f), we propose to require the title IV-E agency to 
indicate the agency that placed the child for adoption or legal 
guardianship from the following three options: ``title IV-E agency''; 
``private agency under agreement''; and ``Indian tribe under contract/
agreement''. In the 2016 final rule, this data element was required to 
be reported in the out-of-home care data file in section 
1355.44(h)(17). However, as we examined AFCARS per E.O. 13777, we noted 
that this information needs to be reported as part of the adoption and 
guardianship assistance data file because we must know the placing 
agency in order to calculate the awards for adoption incentive payments 
for ``preadolescent child'' adoptions per section 473A(g)(6)(B) and 
``older child'' adoptions per section 473A(g)(7)(B) of the Act. Thus, 
instead of requiring title IV-E agencies to report this information in 
the out-of-home care data file, we propose to require it be reported in 
the adoption and guardianship assistance data file.

Section 1355.46 Compliance

    This section states compliance requirements for AFCARS data. The 
compliance requirements in this section are unchanged from 2016 final 
rule and state the type of assessments ACF will conduct to determine 
the accuracy of a title IV-E agency's data, the data that is subject to 
these assessments, the compliance standards and the manner in which the 
title IV-E agency initially determined to be out of compliance can 
correct its data. We propose to amend paragraph (c)(2) to update the 
cross references in this section to mirror the proposed revisions to 
sections 1355.44 and 1355.45.

VII. Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
ACF consulted with OMB and determined that this proposed rule does meet 
the criteria for a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866. 
Thus, it was subject to OMB review. ACF determined that the costs to 
title IV-E agencies as a result of this proposed rule will not be 
economically significant as defined in E.O. 12866 (have an annual 
effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a 
material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, 
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, 
local, or tribal governments or communities). As required in E.O. 
12866, a cost-benefit analysis needs is included in this proposed rule. 
Executive Order 13771, entitled Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs (82 FR 9339), was issued on January 30, 2017. This 
rule, if finalized, is considered an E.O. 13771 deregulatory action. 
Annualizing these costs and cost savings in perpetuity and discounting 
at 7 percent back to 2016, we estimate that this rule would generate 
$29.9 million in annualized cost savings discounted relative to 2016 at 
7 percent over a perpetual time horizon, in 2016 dollars. Details on 
the estimated costs of this rule can be found in the Paperwork 
Reduction Act analysis. This proposed rule is considered an E.O. 13771 
deregulatory action. As described below, this NPRM will save 
approximately 544,337 burden hours. After multiplying by the average 
wage rate of affected individuals, this amounts to $39,192,264 in 
savings each year, relative to the estimated costs and burden of the 
2016 final rule, in the year this NPRM (when finalized) will become 
effective, which is in FY 2021. We used the information that states 
provided in comments to the ANPRM on the cost and burden associated 
with implementing the 2016 final rule as the basis for these burden 
estimate calculations and reduced it by 33 percent to represent the 
reduction in the workload associated with reporting the data proposed 
in this NPRM relative to the 2016 final rule. We relied on this 
approach because of the type of data elements that we removed, which 
specifically were qualitative in nature and required a significant 
amount of training and staff time to locate the information and ensure 
proper data entry.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    The Secretary certifies, under 5 U.S.C. 605(b), as enacted by the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354), that this rule will not 
result in a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This proposed rule does not affect small entities because it 
is applicable only to state and tribal title IV-E agencies.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies 
to prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before 
proposing any rule that may result in an annual expenditure by state, 
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation). In 
2018, that threshold is approximately $150 million. This proposed rule 
does not impose any mandates on state, local, or tribal governments, or 
the private sector that will result in an annual expenditure of $150 
million or more.

[[Page 16587]]

Congressional Review

    This regulation is not a major rule as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8.

Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-58) requires federal agencies to determine 
whether a policy or regulation may affect family well-being. If the 
agency's determination is affirmative, then the agency must prepare an 
impact assessment addressing seven criteria specified in the law. This 
final regulation will not have an impact on family well-being as 
defined in the law.

Executive Order 13132

    E.O. 13132 requires that federal agencies consult with state and 
local government officials in the development of regulatory policies 
with federalism implications. Consistent with E.O. 13132 and Guidance 
for Implementing E.O. 13132 issued on October 28, 1999, the Department 
must include in ``a separately identified portion of the preamble to 
the regulation'' a ``federalism summary impact statement'' (Secs. 
6(b)(2)(B) & (c)(2)). The Department's federalism summary impact 
statement is as follows--
     ``A description of the extent of the agency's prior 
consultation with state and local officials''--The public comment 
period is open for 60 days wherein we solicit comments via 
regulations.gov, email, and postal mail. During this comment period, we 
will hold informational calls.
     ``A summary of the nature of their concerns and the 
agency's position supporting the need to issue the regulation''--As we 
discussed in sections II and III of the preamble to this proposed rule, 
state commenters support making revisions to streamline the AFCARS 
regulation. However, Indian tribes, organizations representing tribal 
interests, and most other national advocacy organizations, 
universities, private individuals, and other groups opposed 
streamlining. We took the comments into consideration and believe that 
based on our analysis of the comments, the best way to reduce the 
burden to title IV-E agencies, who are required to submit the data to 
ACF and will be held to penalties for non-compliant data submissions, 
is to propose revisions to the AFCARS regulation through a NPRM. We 
believe that the states sufficiently argued through detailed work and 
cost estimates in response to the ANPRM that the 2016 final rule has 
many data elements that can be streamlined while still providing 
critical information on the reporting population.
     ``A statement of the extent to which the concerns of state 
and local officials have been met'' (Secs. 6(b)(2)(B) and 6(c)(2))--As 
we discussed in the section-by-section discussion preamble, we propose 
in the NPRM fewer data elements than is in the 2016 final rule, many of 
which were identified in state comments to the ANPRM to be overly 
burdensome for numerous reasons. We believe that these reduced data 
requirements balance the need for updated information with the burden 
to comply with AFCARS requirements.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule contains information collection requirements (ICRs) 
that are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. A 
description of these provisions is given in the following paragraphs 
with an estimate of the annual burden. To fairly evaluate whether an 
information collection should be approved by OMB, the Department 
solicits comment on the following issues:
     The need for the information collection and its usefulness 
in carrying out the proper functions of our agency.
     The accuracy of our estimate of the information collection 
burden.
     The quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected.
     Recommendations to minimize the information collection 
burden on the affected public, including automated collection 
techniques.
    Information collection for AFCARS is currently authorized under OMB 
number 0970-0422. This proposed rule contains information collection 
requirements in proposed Sec.  1355.44, the out-of-home care data file, 
and Sec.  1355.45, the adoption and guardianship assistance data file, 
that the Department has submitted to OMB for its review. We propose:
     State and tribal title IV-E agencies to report information 
on children who are in the out-of-home care reporting population per 
Sec.  1355.42(a),
     State and tribal title IV-E agencies to report information 
on children who are in the adoption and guardianship assistance 
reporting population per Sec.  1355.42(b), and
     State title IV-E agencies to report ICWA-related 
information in the out-of-home care data file.
Burden Estimate
    The following are estimates.
    Through the ANPRM, ACF asked the public to give specific feedback 
on the AFCARS data elements, costs to implement, and burden hours to 
complete the work required to comply with the AFCARS requirements in 
2016 final rule. The ANPRM listed questions specifically asking the 
public to identify the data elements that are overly burdensome for 
title IV-E agencies, an explanation with cost and burden estimates for 
recordkeeping, reporting, and recommendations on data elements to 
retain, simplify, and remove with justifications. Section II of the 
preamble provides a summary and analysis of the ANPRM comments. 
Regarding burden, the state commenters provided estimates for the 
recordkeeping and reporting burden hours to implement the 2016 final 
rule. This included identifying the staff positions that we used to 
determine the labor rate, hour estimates for searching data sources, 
gathering information, entering the information into the system, 
developing or modifying procedures and systems to collect, validate, 
and verify the information and adjusting existing ways to comply with 
AFCARS requirements, and training personnel on AFCARS requirements. We 
used the estimates provided by states to determine the cost to 
implement the 2016 final rule. In this section, we discuss our 
assumptions for the estimates and calculations for estimates.
    For the 2016 final rule, based on the state ANPRM comments, we 
estimate the total burden of the 2016 final rule to be 1,768,744 hours. 
We estimated this by using either the median or the average of the 
states' estimates for the various recordkeeping and reporting tasks and 
adding them together. States ranged considerably in estimating the work 
needed and length of time it would take to comply with the 2016 final 
rule, which is expected and appropriate because there is considerable 
variability across states in sophistication of information systems, 
availability of both staff and financial resources, and populations of 
children in care. Thus, we used the median of the states' estimates for 
the estimates related to training and developing or modifying 
procedures and systems. We used the average of the states' estimates 
for the estimates of gathering/entering information, reporting, and the 
labor rate.
    To estimate the burden of this NPRM, we used the estimates to 
implement the 2016 final rule and reduced the recordkeeping hours and 
reporting hours by approximately 33 percent. This represents the 
approximate workload reduction associated with reporting

[[Page 16588]]

fewer data elements as proposed in this NPRM.
    Respondents: The 66 respondents comprise 52 state title IV-E 
agencies and 14 tribal title IV-E agencies, which are Indian tribes, 
tribal organizations or consortium with an approved title IV-E plan 
under section 479B of the Act. The estimates provided in the NPRM are 
spread across respondents for the purposes of the PRA estimates; 
however, we understand based on the ANPRM comments that actual burden 
hours and costs will vary due to sophistication and capacity of 
information systems, availability of staff and financial resources, and 
populations of children in care.
    Recordkeeping burden: Searching data sources, gathering 
information, and entering the information into the system, developing 
or modifying procedures and systems to collect, validate, and verify 
the information and adjusting existing ways to comply with AFCARS 
requirements, administrative tasks associated with training personnel 
on the AFCARS requirements (e.g., reviewing instructions, developing 
the training and manuals), and training personnel on AFCARS 
requirements.
    Reporting burden: Extracting the information for AFCARS reporting 
and transmitting the information to ACF.

Annualized Cost to the Federal Government

    Federal reimbursement under title IV-E will be available for a 
portion of the costs that title IV-E agencies will incur as a result of 
the revisions proposed in this rule, depending on each agency's cost 
allocation plan, information system, and other factors. For this 
estimate, we used the 50% Federal Financial Participation (FFP) rate.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Estimate
               Collection--AFCARS                  Total annual   Average hourly    Total cost     Federal costs
                                                   burden hours     labor rate                       (50% FFP)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recordkeeping...................................       1,212,163             $72     $87,275,736     $43,637,868
Reporting.......................................           2,244              72         161,568          80,784
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............      43,718,652
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost savings of NPRM: 544,337 hours x $72 labor rate = $39,192,264

Assumptions for Estimates

    We made a number of assumptions when calculating the burden and 
costs that were informed by the states' estimates provided in their 
comments to the ANPRM:
     Number of children in out-of-home care: To determine the 
number of children for which title IV-E agencies will have to report in 
the out-of-home care data file on average, ACF used the most recent FY 
2016 AFCARS data available: 273,539 children entered in foster care 
during FY 2016. Of those, 6,033 children had a reported race of 
American Indian/Alaska Native. We used the number of children who 
entered foster care rather than the entire population of children in 
foster care because agencies will not have to collect and report all 
data elements on all children in foster care; therefore, this accounts 
for the variances in burden. This is consistent with the 2016 final 
rule and the 2016 final rule is what we use to estimate the relative 
savings of this NPRM.
     Out-of-home care data elements: For the out-of-home care 
data file, the 2016 final rule required approximately 272 items where 
we require title IV-E agencies to report information. In this NPRM, we 
propose to reduce these points to approximately 183, representing 170 
that we propose to keep from the 2016 final rule and 13 we propose to 
modify. This represents approximately a 33 percent reduction in the 
total items that we propose agencies to report in this NPRM.
     Number of children receiving adoption and guardianship 
assistance: To determine the number of children for which title IV-E 
agencies must report in the adoption and guardianship assistance file, 
ACF used the most recent title IV-E Programs Quarterly Financial 
Report, CB-496, for FY 2016: 456,715 children received title IV-E 
adoption assistance and 24,689 children received guardianship 
assistance.
     Adoption and guardianship assistance data elements: There 
are approximately 19 items where we require title IV-E agencies report 
information for the adoption and guardianship assistance data file, 
which is not a significant change from the 2016 final rule.
     Systems changes: ACF assumed that the burden for title IV-
E agencies to modify systems based in part on the estimates states' 
provided in response to the ANPRM. Additionally, as of July 2018, 29 
states and tribes have declared as moving forward with a new or 
transitional Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (CCWIS) 
(see also 45 CFR 1355.50 et seq. for requirements). ACF recognizes that 
most title IV-E agencies will require revisions to electronic case 
management systems to meet the requirements proposed in this NPRM. As 
more title IV-E agencies build CCWIS, ACF anticipates it will lead to 
more efficiency in reporting and less costs and burden associated with 
reporting AFCARS data.
     Labor rate: Based on the state comments to the ANPRM, ACF 
assumes that there will be a mix of the following positions working to 
meet both the one-time and annual requirements of this proposed rule. 
We reviewed 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data and for this estimate, 
we used the job roles of: Information technology (IT) and computer 
programming, administrative, management, caseworkers, subject matter 
experts, and legal staff. For this estimate, we used the job roles of: 
Computer Information and Systems Managers (11-3021) with an average 
hourly wage of $71.99, Computer and Mathematical Occupations (15-0000) 
(e.g., computer and information analysts, computer programmers, and 
database and systems administrators) with an average hourly wage of 
$43.18, Office and Administrative Support Occupations (43-000) (e.g., 
administrative assistants, data entry, legal secretaries, government 
program eligibility interviewers, information and record clerks) with 
an average hourly wage of $18.24, Social and Community Service Managers 
(11-9151) with an average hourly wage estimate of $33.91, Community and 
Social Service Operations (21-0000) (e.g., Social Workers, Child and 
Family Social Workers, Counselors, Social Service Specialists) with an 
average hourly wage of $23.10, and Paralegals and Legal Assistants (23-
2011) with an average hourly wage estimate of $25.92. Thus, ACF 
averaged these wages to come to an average labor rate of $36.05. In 
order to ensure we took into account overhead costs associated with 
these labor costs, ACF doubled this rate ($72).

[[Page 16589]]

Calculations for Estimates

    We used the information that states provided in comments to the 
ANPRM on the cost and burden associated with implementing the 2016 
final rule as the basis for these burden estimate calculations. Thus, 
for these estimates, we are using the states' estimates and reducing 
them by 33 percent to represent the reduction in the workload 
associated with reporting the data proposed in this NPRM. We relied on 
this approach because of the type of data elements that we removed, 
which specifically were qualitative in nature and required a 
significant amount of training and staff time to locate the information 
and ensure proper data entry.
    Recordkeeping: Adding the bullets below produces a total of 
1,212,163 record keeping hours annually, as summarized below.
     For the out-of-home care data file, searching data 
sources, gathering information, and entering the information into the 
system would take on average 4.02 hours annually for all children who 
enter foster care, for a total of 1,099,627 hours annually. States 
provided estimates that ranged from 3 to 15 hours related to these 
tasks for the 2016 final rule. The range depended on whether the work 
was for the ICWA-related data elements or not. The average of the hours 
provided from the states that broke out this information in their ANPRM 
comments was 6 hours annually. We used the average because there were 
not significant outliers in the comments provided. For the purposes of 
this NPRM estimate, we reduced the 6 hours by 33 percent since that 
represents the reduction in data elements to be reported per this NPRM, 
which is 4.02 hours. (4.02 hours x 273,539 children = 1,099,627 annual 
hours for this bullet.)
     For the adoption and guardianship assistance data file, we 
estimated in the 2016 final rule that updates or changes on an annual 
or biennial basis will take an average of 0.2 hours annually for 
records of children who have an adoption assistance agreement and 0.3 
hours annually for children who have a guardianship assistance 
agreement. The data elements in the adoption and guardianship 
assistance data file did not significantly change and we did not 
receive information from state estimates to determine that a change in 
these estimates was warranted. As noted earlier, the number of children 
in adoption or guardianship assistance agreements increased, which 
reflects the most recent data available, FY 2016. The new total annual 
hours is estimated to be 98,750. (0.2 hours x 456,715 children = 91,343 
hours. 0.3 hours x 24,689 children = 7,407 hours. 91,343 hours + 7,407 
hours = 98,750 total annual burden hours for this bullet.)
     Developing or modifying standard operating procedures and 
IT systems to collect, validate, and verify the information and adjust 
existing ways to comply with the AFCARS requirements is estimated at 
6,700 hours annually. States provided estimates in response to the 
ANPRM that ranged from 1,000 to 20,000 hours, which varied widely 
depending on the size of the state's out-of-home care population, type, 
sophistication, and age of systems. To estimate the annual hours, we 
chose to use the median of these estimates provided by the state 
commenters, rather than relying on the average of those provided in the 
comments, because it would be distorted by the considerable hour range. 
The median hours from state's estimates was 10,000, and we reduced it 
by 33 percent since that represents the reduction in data elements to 
be reported per this NPRM, which is 6,700 hours. Thus, we estimate 
6,700 hours annually for this bullet. (10,000 x 0.67 = 6,700 hours)
     Administrative tasks associated with training personnel on 
the AFCARS requirements (e.g., reviewing instructions, developing the 
training and manuals) and training personnel on AFCARS requirements we 
estimate will take on average 7,086 hours annually. In response to the 
ANPRM, states provided varying estimates for the hours and cost of 
training that were not broken out the same way. For example, one 
estimate was 40 hours to develop training materials and 2 hours of 
training per staff person. Other estimates were only totals of training 
hours that ranged between 42,712 to 102,000 hours encompassing initial 
and ongoing training to implement the 2016 final rule. Another estimate 
broke out ongoing training at 8,500 hours annually. To estimate the 
annual hours related to training tasks, we used the median of the hours 
provided from the ANPRM comments, rather than relying on the average, 
because it would be distorted by the considerable hour ranges and 
associated tasks. We understand that training hours will vary depending 
on the size of the agency's workforce needing training. The median 
hours from state's estimates was 10,576, and we reduced it by 33 
percent since that represents the reduction in data elements to be 
reported per this NPRM, which is 7,086 hours. Thus we estimate 7,086 
hours annually for this bullet. (10,576 x 0.67 = 7,086 hours)
    Reporting: We estimate that extracting the information for AFCARS 
reporting and transmitting the information to ACF would take on average 
17 hours annually. Very few states broke out reporting in their ANPRM 
comments and the average of the hours provided came to 26 hours. Since 
the NPRM reduces the data elements by 33 percent, we reduced the 
estimated burden related to reporting that amount. Thus we estimate 17 
hours for this task. (26 x 0.67 = 17 hours)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of    Average burden   Total annual
               Collection--AFCARS                    Number of     responses per     hours per     burden hours
                                                    respondents     respondent       response        for NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recordkeeping...................................              66               2           9,183       1,212,163
Reporting.......................................              66               2              17           2,244
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................  ..............  ..............  ..............       1,214,407
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title IV-E agencies must comply with the current AFCARS requirements in 
45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendix to part 1355 until September 30, 2020 
(45 CFR 1355.40, per the final rule on implementation delay published 
August 21, 2018, 83 FR 42225). On October 1, 2020 (FY 2021), title IV-E 
agencies must comply with the provisions of the 2016 final rule. When 
this NPRM is finalized, title IV-E agencies must comply with the 
provisions proposed in this NPRM, which is scheduled to begin on 
October 1, 2020 (FY 2021), because this NPRM does not propose to change 
the implementation date. Because we anticipate that this NPRM will be 
finalized before the 2016 final rule becomes effective, the year in 
which title IV-E agencies will experience savings from the 2016 final 
rule is FY 2021. We used fiscal years in this estimate because AFCARS 
data reporting periods are categorized by

[[Page 16590]]

fiscal years. The savings is generated by the reductions proposed in 
this NPRM, which reduces the data that title IV-E agencies must report 
from what was published in the 2016 final rule. As discussed above, we 
estimate approximately a 33 percent reduction in the total items that 
we propose agencies to report in this NPRM from the 2016 final rule, as 
discussed previously. These charts represent the burden hour and cost 
savings we estimate that this NPRM will have over the 2016 final rule's 
requirements. This NPRM will save approximately 544,337 burden hours. 
After multiplying by the average wage rate of affected individuals, 
this amounts to $39,192,264 in savings each year relative to the 2016 
final rule, in the year this NPRM (when finalized) will become 
effective, FY 2021.

                                   Savings of NPRM Relative to 2016 Final Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total annual
                                                                 burden hours     Total annual      Difference
                 Burden hour savings of NPRM                    for 2016 final    burden hours       (hours)
                                                                     rule           for NPRM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2021......................................................       1,768,744        1,214,407          554,337
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the above estimates, ACF acknowledges: (1) ACF has used average 
figures for title IV-E agencies of very different sizes and of which, 
some may have larger populations of children served than other 
agencies, and (2) these are rough estimates based on the ANPRM comments 
in which they ranged in the level of detail they provided regarding 
burden hours, costs, and work needing to be completed.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of 
information contained in this regulation between 30 and 60 days after 
publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a 
comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it 
within 30 days of publication. This does not affect the deadline for 
the public to comment to the Department on the proposed regulations. 
Written comments to OMB or the proposed information collection should 
be sent directly to the following: Office of Management and Budget, 
either by fax to 202-395-6974 or by email to 
[email protected]. Please mark faxes and emails to the 
attention of the desk officer for ACF.

VIII. Tribal Consultation Statement

    ACF is committed to consulting with Indian tribes and tribal 
leadership to the extent practicable and permitted by law, prior to 
promulgating any regulation that has tribal implications and within the 
requirements of E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments. Section II of this NPRM provides a summary and 
analysis of the ANPRM comments. The comments to the ANPRM allowed us to 
assess whether and how we could potentially reduce burden on title IV-E 
agencies to report AFCARS data, per E.O. 13777, while still adhering to 
the requirements of section 479 of the Act and collecting useful data 
that will inform efforts to improve the child welfare system. This 
includes assessing the need for ICWA-related data elements as strongly 
illustrated by the tribal commenters. Additionally during the comment 
period of the ANPRM, CB held consultation on May 15 and 16, 2018 where 
the ANPRM and history of the AFCARS regulation, including the Executive 
Order precipitating another look at AFCARS, was presented by CB 
officials. During this time, tribal leaders, officials and 
representatives identified the ICWA-related information they felt was 
important to retain in AFCARS because it was essential in determining 
whether ICWA applied for a child or it provided basic information on 
ICWA's requirements. Prior to these information sessions, the ANPRM, 
2016 final rule and other AFCARS supplementary information was linked 
to on the CB website. Additionally, links to the ANPRM and the AFCARS 
supplementary information was emailed to CB's tribal lists (on March 
13, 2018 when the ANPRM was available for public inspection and March 
15, 2018 when the ANPRM was published), and CB issued ACYF-CB-IM-18-01 
(issued March 16, 2018). CB also issued ACYF-CB-IM-18-03 on August 21, 
2018 announcing publication of the final rule regarding implementation 
of the 2016 final rule and announcing our intent to issue a NPRM to 
revise the data elements per the spring 2018 unified agenda. This was 
also emailed to CB's tribal lists. Additionally, ACF held a tribal 
consultation on November 6, 2017 during which tribes requested that ACF 
leave the 2016 final rule in place, stating that the ICWA-related data 
elements are very necessary for accountability. At a meeting with 
tribal representatives at the Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee on 
May 9 and 10, 2018, representatives stated the following: They 
supported the 2016 final rule, have concerns that states are not 
following ICWA, that the ICWA-related data elements are critical to 
informing Congress, HHS, states, and tribes on how Native children and 
families are doing in state child welfare systems and that AFCARS 
information would help inform issues such as foster care 
disproportionality.
    As we developed this proposed rule, we carefully considered the 
comments to the ANPRM from Indian tribes and organizations representing 
tribal interests, whose comments unequivocally supported keeping most, 
if not all, ICWA-related data elements in AFCARS. However, we must 
balance the need for data with the needs of our grantees, the title IV-
E agencies, that must revise their systems to meet new AFCARS 
requirements and will ultimately be held accountable via compliance and 
penalties to report the data. We look forward to engaging in 
consultation during the comment period of this NPRM and to receiving 
comments on this proposal.

List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 1355

    Adoption and foster care, Child welfare, Grant programs--social 
programs.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 93.658, 
Foster Care Maintenance; 93.659, Adoption Assistance; 93.645, Child 
Welfare Services--State Grants).

    Dated: February 5, 2019.
Lynn A. Johnson,
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.
    Approved: February 12, 2019.
Alex M. Azar II,
Secretary.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, HHS and ACF propose to 
amend 45 CFR part 1355 as follows:

PART 1355--GENERAL

0
1. The authority citation for part 1355 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 620 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 670 et seq., 42 
U.S.C. 1302.


[[Page 16591]]


0
2. In Sec.  1355.41, revise paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1355.41  Scope of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and 
Reporting System.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Terms in Sec. Sec.  1355.41 through 1355.47 are defined as they 
appear in Sec.  1355.20, except that for purposes of data elements 
related to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA), terms that 
appear in Sec.  1344.44(b)(3) through (6), (c)(3) and (4), (e)(10) and 
(15), and (h)(4) and (9) are defined as they appear in 25 CFR 23.2 and 
25 U.S.C. 1903.
    (2) For state title IV-E agencies only: If the state title IV-E 
agency indicated ``yes'' to Sec.  1355.44(b)(5)(i), for Sec.  
1355.44(c)(1) and (2) and (d)(3), the term ``legal guardian'' includes 
an Indian custodian as defined in ICWA at 25 U.S.C. 1903 if the Indian 
custodian has legal responsibility for the child.
0
3. In Sec.  1355.43, revise paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  1355.43  Data reporting requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) For a child who had an out-of-home care episode(s) as defined 
in Sec.  1355.42(a) prior to October 1, 2020, the title IV-E agency 
must report only the information for the data described in Sec.  
1355.44(d)(1) and (g)(1) and (3) for the out-of-home care episode(s) 
that occurred prior to October 1, 2020.
* * * * *
0
4. Revise Sec.  1355.44 to read as follows:


Sec.  1355.44  Out-of-home care data file elements.

    (a) General information--(1) Title IV-E agency. Indicate the title 
IV-E agency responsible for submitting the AFCARS data in a format 
according to ACF's specifications.
    (2) Report date. The report date corresponds with the end of the 
report period. Indicate the last month and the year of the report 
period.
    (3) Local agency. Indicate the local county, jurisdiction, or 
equivalent unit that has primary responsibility for the child in a 
format according to ACF's specifications.
    (4) Child record number. Indicate the child's record number. This 
is an encrypted, unique person identification number that is the same 
for the child, no matter where the child lives while in the placement 
and care responsibility of the title IV-E agency in out-of-home care 
and across all report periods and episodes. The title IV-E agency must 
apply and retain the same encryption routine or method for the person 
identification number across all report periods. The record number must 
be encrypted in accordance with ACF standards.
    (b) Child information--(1) Child's date of birth. Indicate the 
month, day and year of the child's birth. If the actual date of birth 
is unknown because the child has been abandoned, provide an estimated 
date of birth. Abandoned means that the child was left alone or with 
others and the identity of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is 
unknown and cannot be ascertained. This includes a child left at a 
``safe haven.''
    (2) Child's sex. Indicate whether the child is ``male'' or 
``female.''
    (3) Reason to know a child is an ``Indian Child'' as defined in the 
Indian Child Welfare Act. For state title IV-E agencies only: Indicate 
whether the state title IV-E agency made inquiries whether the child is 
an Indian child as defined in ICWA. Indicate ``yes'' or ``no.''
    (4) Child's tribal membership. For state title IV-E agencies only:
    (i) Indicate whether the child is a member of or eligible for 
membership in an Indian tribe. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no,'' or 
``unknown''.
    (ii) If the state title IV-E agency indicated ``yes'' in paragraph 
(b)(4)(i) of this section, indicate all federally recognized Indian 
tribe(s) that may potentially be the Indian child's tribe(s). The title 
IV-E agency must submit the information in a format according to ACF's 
specifications.
    (5) Application of ICWA. For state title IV-E agencies only:
    (i) Indicate whether ICWA applies for the child. Indicate ``yes,'' 
``no,'' or ``unknown''.
    (ii) If the state title IV-E agency indicated ``yes'' in paragraph 
(b)(5)(i) of this section, indicate the date that the state title IV-E 
agency was notified by the Indian tribe or state or tribal court that 
ICWA applies.
    (6) Notification. For state title IV-E agencies only: If the state 
title IV-E agency indicated ``yes'' to paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this 
section, the state title IV-E agency must indicate whether the Indian 
child's tribe(s) was sent legal notice in accordance with 25 U.S.C. 
1912(a). Indicate ``yes'' or ``no''.
    (7) Child's race. In general, a child's race is determined by the 
child, the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Indicate whether 
each race category listed in paragraphs (b)(7)(i) through (vii) of this 
section applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.''
    (i) Race--American Indian or Alaska Native. An American Indian or 
Alaska Native child has origins in any of the original peoples of North 
or South America (including Central America), and maintains tribal 
affiliation or community attachment.
    (ii) Race--Asian. An Asian child has origins in any of the original 
peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent 
including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, 
Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.
    (iii) Race--Black or African American. A Black or African American 
child has origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
    (iv) Race--Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A Native 
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander child has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
    (v) Race--White. A white child has origins in any of the original 
peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
    (vi) Race--unknown. The child or parent or legal guardian does not 
know, or is unable to communicate the race, or at least one race of the 
child is not known. This category does not apply when the child has 
been abandoned or the parents failed to return and the identity of the 
child, parent(s), or legal guardian(s) is known.
    (vii) Race--abandoned. The child's race is unknown because the 
child has been abandoned. Abandoned means that the child was left alone 
or with others and the identity of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 
is unknown and cannot be ascertained. This includes a child left at a 
``safe haven.''
    (viii) Race--declined. The child or parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 
has declined to identify a race.
    (8) Child's Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. In general, a child's 
ethnicity is determined by the child or the child's parent(s) or legal 
guardian(s). A child is of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity if the child is 
a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or 
other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. Indicate whether 
this category applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.'' If the child or the 
child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) does not know or is unable to 
communicate whether the child is of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 
indicate ``unknown.'' If the child is abandoned indicate ``abandoned.'' 
Abandoned means that the child was left alone or with others and the 
identity of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is unknown and cannot be 
ascertained. This includes a child left at a ``safe haven.'' If the 
child or the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) refuses to

[[Page 16592]]

identify the child's ethnicity, indicate ``declined.''
    (9) Health assessment. Indicate whether the child had a health 
assessment during the current out-of-home care episode. This assessment 
could include an initial health screening or any follow-up health 
screening per section 422(b)(15)(A) of the Act. Indicate ``yes'' or 
``no.''
    (10) Health, behavioral or mental health conditions. Indicate 
whether the child was diagnosed by a qualified professional, as defined 
by the state or tribe, as having a health, behavioral or mental health 
condition, prior to or during the child's current out-of-home care 
episode as of the last day of the report period. Indicate ``child has a 
diagnosed condition'' if a qualified professional has made such a 
diagnosis and for each paragraph (b)(10)(i) through (xi) of this 
section, indicate ``existing condition,'' ``previous condition'' or 
``does not apply,'' as applicable. ``Previous condition'' means a 
previous diagnoses that no longer exists as a current condition. 
Indicate ``no exam or assessment conducted'' if a qualified 
professional has not conducted a medical exam or assessment of the 
child and leave paragraphs (b)(10)(i) through (xi) blank. Indicate 
``exam or assessment conducted and none of the conditions apply'' if a 
qualified professional has conducted a medical exam or assessment and 
has concluded that the child does not have one of the conditions listed 
and leave paragraphs (b)(10)(i) through (xi) of this section blank. 
Indicate ``exam or assessment conducted but results not received'' if a 
qualified professional has conducted a medical exam or assessment but 
the title IV-E agency has not yet received the results of such an exam 
or assessment and leave paragraphs (b)(10)(i) through (xi) of this 
section blank.
    (i) Intellectual disability. The child has, or had previously, 
significantly sub-average general cognitive and motor functioning 
existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior manifested 
during the developmental period that adversely affect the child's 
socialization and learning.
    (ii) Autism spectrum disorder. The child has, or had previously, a 
neurodevelopment disorder, characterized by social impairments, 
communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped 
patterns of behavior. This includes the range of disorders from 
autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical autism spectrum 
disorder, to milder forms known as Asperger syndrome and pervasive 
developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
    (iii) Visual impairment and blindness. The child has, or had 
previously, a visual impairment that may adversely affects the day-to-
day functioning or educational performance, such as blindness, 
amblyopia, or color blindness.
    (iv) Hearing impairment and deafness. The child has, or had 
previously, an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, 
that adversely affects the child's day-to-day functioning and 
educational performance.
    (v) Orthopedic impairment or other physical condition. The child 
has, or had previously, a physical deformity, such as amputations and 
fractures or burns that cause contractures, or an orthopedic 
impairment, including impairments caused by a congenital anomalies or 
disease, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, or 
muscular dystrophy.
    (vi) Mental/emotional disorders. The child has, or had previously, 
one or more mood or personality disorders or conditions over a long 
period of time and to a marked degree, such as conduct disorder, 
oppositional defiant disorder, emotional disturbance, anxiety disorder, 
obsessive-compulsive disorder, or eating disorder.
    (vii) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The child has, or 
had previously, a diagnosis of the neurobehavioral disorders of 
attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit 
disorder (ADD).
    (viii) Serious mental disorders. The child has, or had previously, 
a diagnosis of a serious mental disorder or illness, such as bipolar 
disorder, depression, psychotic disorders, or schizophrenia.
    (ix) Developmental delay. The child has been assessed by 
appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures and is experiencing 
delays in one or more of the following areas: Physical development or 
motor skills, cognitive development, communication, language, or speech 
development, social or emotional development, or adaptive development.
    (x) Developmental disability. The child has, or had previously been 
diagnosed with a developmental disability as defined in the 
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 
(Pub. L. 106-402), section 102(8). This means a severe, chronic 
disability of an individual that is attributable to a mental or 
physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments 
that manifests before the age of 22, is likely to continue indefinitely 
and results in substantial functional limitations in three or more 
areas of major life activity. Areas of major life activity include: 
Self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-
direction, capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency, 
and reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of 
special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized 
supports or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended 
duration and are individually planned and coordinated. If a child is 
given the diagnosis of ``developmental disability,'' do not indicate 
the individual conditions that form the basis of this diagnosis 
separately in other data elements.
    (xi) Other diagnosed condition. The child has, or had previously, a 
diagnosed condition or other health impairment other than those 
described in paragraphs (b)(10)(i) through (x) of this section, which 
requires special medical care, such as asthma, diabetes, chronic 
illnesses, a diagnosis as HIV positive or AIDS, epilepsy, traumatic 
brain injury, other neurological disorders, speech/language impairment, 
learning disability, or substance use issues.
    (11) School enrollment. Indicate whether the child is a full-time 
student at and enrolled in (or in the process of enrolling in) 
``elementary'' or ``secondary'' education, or is a full or part-time 
student at and enrolled in ``post-secondary education or training'' or 
``college,'' as of the earlier of the last day of the report period or 
the day of exit for a child exiting out-of-home care prior to the end 
of the report period. A child is still considered enrolled in school if 
the child would otherwise be enrolled in a school that is currently out 
of session. An ``elementary or secondary school student'' is defined in 
section 471(a)(30) of the Act as a child that is: Enrolled (or in the 
process of enrolling) in an institution which provides elementary or 
secondary education, as determined under the law of the state or other 
jurisdiction in which the institution is located, instructed in 
elementary or secondary education at home in accordance with a home 
school law of the state or other jurisdiction in which the home is 
located, in an independent study elementary or secondary education 
program in accordance with the law of the state or other jurisdiction 
in which the program is located, which is administered by the local 
school or school district, or incapable of attending school on a full-
time basis due to the medical condition of the child, which 
incapability is

[[Page 16593]]

supported by a regularly updated information in the case plan of the 
child. Enrollment in ``post-secondary education or training'' refers to 
full or part-time enrollment in any post-secondary education or 
training, other than an education pursued at a college or university. 
Enrollment in ``college'' refers to a child that is enrolled full or 
part-time at a college or university. If child has not reached 
compulsory school age, indicate ``not school-age.'' If the child has 
reached compulsory school-age, but is not enrolled or is in the process 
of enrolling in any school setting full-time, indicate ``not 
enrolled.''
    (12) Educational level. Indicate the highest educational level from 
kindergarten to college or post-secondary education/training completed 
by the child as of the last day of the report period. If child has not 
reached compulsory school-age, indicate ``not school-age.'' Indicate 
``kindergarten'' if the child is currently in or about to begin 1st 
grade. Indicate ``1st grade'' if the child is currently in or about to 
begin 2nd grade. Indicate ``2nd grade'' if the child is currently in or 
about to begin 3rd grade. Indicate ``3rd grade'' if the child is 
currently in or about to begin 4th grade. Indicate ``4th grade'' if the 
child is currently in or about to begin 5th grade. Indicate ``5th 
grade'' if the child is currently in or about to begin 6th grade. 
Indicate ``6th grade'' if the child is currently in or about to begin 
7th grade. Indicate ``7th grade'' if the child is currently in or about 
to begin 8th grade. Indicate ``8th grade'' if the child is currently in 
or about to begin 9th grade. Indicate ``9th grade'' if the child is 
currently in or about to begin 10th grade. Indicate ``10th grade'' if 
the child is currently in or about to begin 11th grade. Indicate ``11th 
grade'' if the child is currently in or about to begin 12th grade. 
Indicate ``12th grade'' if the child has graduated from high school. 
Indicate ``GED'' if the child has completed a general equivalency 
degree or other high school equivalent. Indicate ``Post-secondary 
education or training'' if the child has completed any post-secondary 
education or training, including vocational training, other than an 
education pursued at a college or university. Indicate ``College'' if 
the child has completed at least a semester of study at a college or 
university.
    (13) Pregnant or parenting. (i) Indicate whether the child is 
pregnant as of the end of the report period. Indicate ``yes'' or 
``no.''
    (ii) Indicate whether the child has ever fathered or bore a child. 
Indicate ``yes'' or ``no.''
    (iii) Indicate whether the child and his/her child(ren) are placed 
together at any point during the report period, if the response in 
paragraph (b)(13)(ii) of this section is ``yes.'' Indicate ``yes,'' 
``no,'' or ``not applicable'' if the response in paragraph (b)(13)(ii) 
of this section is ``no.''
    (14) Special education. Indicate whether the child has an 
Individualized Education Program (IEP) as defined in section 614(d)(1) 
of Part B of Title I of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA) and implementing regulations, or an Individualized Family 
Service Program (IFSP) as defined in section 636 of Part C of Title I 
of IDEA and implementing regulations, as of the end of the report 
period. Indicate ``yes'' if the child has either an IEP or an IFSP or 
``no'' if the child has neither.
    (15) Prior adoption. Indicate whether the child experienced a prior 
legal adoption before the current out-of-home care episode. Include any 
public, private or independent adoption in the United States or 
adoption in another country and tribal customary adoptions. Indicate 
``yes,'' ``no'' or ``abandoned'' if the information is unknown because 
the child has been abandoned. Abandoned means that the child was left 
alone or with others and the identity of the parent(s) or legal 
guardian(s) is unknown and cannot be ascertained. This includes a child 
left at a ``safe haven.'' If the child has experienced a prior legal 
adoption, the title IV-E agency must complete paragraphs (b)(15)(i) and 
(ii) of this section; otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave those 
paragraphs blank.
    (i) Prior adoption date. Indicate the month and year that the most 
recent prior adoption was finalized. In the case of a prior 
intercountry adoption where the adoptive parent(s) readopted the child 
in the United States, the title IV-E agency must provide the date of 
the adoption (either the original adoption in the home country or the 
re-adoption in the United States) that is considered final in 
accordance with applicable laws.
    (ii) Prior adoption intercountry. Indicate whether the child's most 
recent prior adoption was an intercountry adoption, meaning that the 
child's prior adoption occurred in another country or the child was 
brought into the United States for the purposes of finalizing the prior 
adoption. Indicate ``yes'' or ``no.''
    (16)(i) Prior guardianship. Indicate whether the child experienced 
a prior legal guardianship before the current out-of-home care episode. 
Include any public, private or independent guardianship(s) in the 
United States that meets the definition in section 475(d) of the Act. 
This includes any judicially created relationship between a child and 
caretaker which is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining as 
evidenced by the transfer to the caretaker of the following parental 
rights with respect to the child: Protection, education, care and 
control, custody, and decision making. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no,'' or 
``abandoned'' if the information is unknown because the child has been 
abandoned. Abandoned means that the child was left alone or with others 
and the identity of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is unknown and 
cannot be ascertained. This includes a child left at a ``safe haven.'' 
If the child has experienced a prior legal guardianship, the title IV-E 
agency must complete paragraph (b)(16)(ii) of this section; otherwise 
the title IV-E agency must leave it blank.
    (ii) Prior guardianship date. Indicate the month and year that the 
most recent prior guardianship became legalized.
    (17) Child financial and medical assistance. Indicate whether the 
child received financial and medical assistance at any point during the 
six-month report period. Indicate ``child has received support/
assistance'' if the child was the recipient of such assistance during 
the report period, and indicate which of the following sources of 
support described in paragraphs (b)(17)(i) through (viii) of this 
section ``applies'' or ``does not apply.'' Indicate ``no support/
assistance received'' if none of these apply.
    (i) State/Tribal adoption assistance. The child is receiving an 
adoption subsidy or other adoption assistance paid for solely by the 
state or Indian tribe.
    (ii) State/Tribal foster care. The child is receiving a foster care 
payment that is solely funded by the state or Indian tribe.
    (iii) Title IV-E adoption subsidy. The child is determined eligible 
for a title IV-E adoption assistance subsidy.
    (iv) Title IV-E guardianship assistance. The child is determined 
eligible for a title IV-E guardianship assistance subsidy.
    (v) Title IV-A TANF. The child is living with relatives who are 
receiving a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash 
assistance payment on behalf of the child.
    (vi) Title IV-B. The child's living arrangement is supported by 
funds under title IV-B of the Act.
    (vii) Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. The child is living 
independently and is supported by funds under the John F. Chafee Foster 
Care Independence Program.

[[Page 16594]]

    (viii) Other. The child is receiving financial support from another 
source not previously listed in paragraphs (b)(17)(i) through (vii) of 
this section.
    (18) Title IV-E foster care during report period. Indicate whether 
a title IV-E foster care maintenance payment was paid on behalf of the 
child at any point during the report period that is claimed under title 
IV-E foster care with a ``yes'' or ``no,'' as appropriate. Indicate 
``yes'' if the child has met all eligibility requirements of section 
472(a) of the Act and the title IV-E agency has claimed, or intends to 
claim, federal reimbursement for foster care maintenance payments made 
on the child's behalf during the report period.
    (19) Total number of siblings. Indicate the total number of 
siblings of the child. A sibling to the child is his or her brother or 
sister by biological, legal, or marital connection. Do not include the 
child who is subject of this record in the total number. If the child 
does not have any siblings, the title IV-E agency must indicate ``0.'' 
If the title IV-E agency indicates ``0,'' the title IV-E agency must 
leave paragraphs (b)(20) and (21) of this section blank.
    (20) Siblings in foster care. Indicate the number of siblings of 
the child who are in foster care as defined in Sec.  1355.20. A sibling 
to the child is his or her brother or sister by biological, legal, or 
marital connection. Do not include the child who is subject of this 
record in the total number. If the child does not have any siblings, 
the title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph blank. If the child has 
siblings, but they are not in foster care as defined in Sec.  1355.20, 
the title IV-E agency must indicate ``0.'' If the title IV-E agency 
reported ``0,'' leave paragraph (b)(21) of this section blank.
    (21) Siblings in living arrangement. Indicate the number of 
siblings of the child who are in the same living arrangement as the 
child, on the last day of the report period. A sibling to the child is 
his or her brother or sister by biological, legal, or marital 
connection. Do not include the child who is subject of this record in 
the total number. If the child does not have any siblings, the title 
IV-E agency must leave this paragraph blank. If the child has siblings, 
but they are not in the same living arrangement as the child, the title 
IV-E agency must indicate ``0.''
    (c) Parent or legal guardian information--(1) Year of birth of 
first parent or legal guardian. If applicable, indicate the year of 
birth of the first parent (biological, legal or adoptive) or legal 
guardian of the child. To the extent that a child has both a parent and 
a legal guardian, or two different sets of legal parents, the title IV-
E agency must report on those who had legal responsibility for the 
child. We are not seeking information on putative parent(s) in this 
paragraph. If there is only one parent or legal guardian of the child, 
that person's year of birth must be reported here. If the child was 
abandoned indicate ``abandoned.'' Abandoned means that the child was 
left alone or with others and the identity of the child's parent(s) or 
legal guardian(s) is unknown and cannot be ascertained. This includes a 
child left at a ``safe haven.''
    (2) Year of birth of second parent or legal guardian. If 
applicable, indicate the year of birth of the second parent 
(biological, legal or adoptive) or legal guardian of the child. We are 
not seeking information on putative parent(s) in this paragraph. If the 
child was abandoned, indicate ``abandoned.'' Abandoned means that the 
child was left alone or with others and the identity of the child's 
parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is unknown and cannot be ascertained. 
This includes a child left at a ``safe haven.'' Indicate ``not 
applicable'' if there is not another parent or legal guardian.
    (3) Tribal membership mother. For state title IV-E agencies only: 
Indicate whether the biological or adoptive mother is a member of an 
Indian tribe. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no,'' or ``unknown.''
    (4) Tribal membership father. For state title IV-E agencies only: 
Indicate whether the biological or adoptive father is a member of an 
Indian tribe. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no,'' or ``unknown.''
    (5) Termination/modification of parental rights. Indicate whether 
the termination/modification of parental rights for each parent 
(biological, legal and/or putative) was voluntary or involuntary. 
Voluntary means the parent voluntary relinquished their parental rights 
to the title IV-E agency, with or without court involvement. Indicate 
``voluntary'' or ``involuntary.'' Indicate ``not applicable'' if there 
was no termination/modification and leave paragraphs (c)(5)(i) and (ii) 
of this section blank.
    (i) Termination/modification of parental rights petition. Indicate 
the month, day and year that each petition to terminate/modify the 
parental rights of a biological, legal and/or putative parent was filed 
in court, if applicable. Indicate ``deceased'' if the parent is 
deceased.
    (ii) Termination/modification of parental rights. Enter the month, 
day and year that the parental rights were voluntarily or involuntarily 
terminated/modified, for each biological, legal and/or putative parent, 
if applicable. If the parent is deceased, enter the date of death.
    (d) Removal information--(1) Date of child's removal. Indicate the 
removal date(s) in month, day and year format for each removal of a 
child who enters the placement and care responsibility of the title IV-
E agency. For a child who is removed and is placed initially in foster 
care, indicate the date that the title IV-E agency received placement 
and care responsibility. For a child who ran away or whose whereabouts 
are unknown at the time the child is removed and is placed in the 
placement and care responsibility of the title IV-E agency, indicate 
the date that the title IV-E agency received placement and care 
responsibility. For a child who is removed and is placed initially in a 
non-foster care setting, indicate the date that the child enters foster 
care as the date of removal.
    (2) Removal transaction date. A non-modifiable, computer-generated 
date which accurately indicates the month, day and year each response 
to paragraph (d)(1) of this section was entered into the information 
system.
    (3) Environment at removal. Indicate the type of environment 
(household or facility) the child was living in at the time of each 
removal for each removal reported in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. 
Indicate ``parent household'' if the child was living in a household 
that included one or both of the child's parents, whether biological, 
adoptive or legal. Indicate ``relative household'' if the child was 
living with a relative(s), the relative(s) is not the child's legal 
guardian and neither of the child's parents were living in the 
household. Indicate ``legal guardian household'' if the child was 
living with a legal guardian(s), the guardian(s) is not the child's 
relative and neither of the child's parents were living in the 
household. Indicate ``relative legal guardian household'' if the child 
was living with a relative(s) who is also the child's legal guardian. 
Indicate ``justice facility'' if the child was in a detention center, 
jail or other similar setting where the child was detained. Indicate 
``medical/mental health facility'' if the child was living in a 
facility such as a medical or psychiatric hospital or residential 
treatment center. Indicate ``other'' if the child was living in another 
situation not so described, such as living independently or homeless.
    (4) Child and family circumstances at removal. Indicate all child 
and family circumstances that were present at the time of the child's 
removal and/or related to the child being placed into foster care for 
each removal reported in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Indicate

[[Page 16595]]

whether each circumstance described in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through 
(xxxiv) of this section ``applies'' or ``does not apply'' for each 
removal indicated in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (i) Runaway. The child has left, without authorization, the home or 
facility where the child was residing.
    (ii) Whereabouts unknown. The child's whereabouts are unknown and 
the title IV-E agency does not consider the child to have run away.
    (iii) Physical abuse. Alleged or substantiated physical abuse, 
injury or maltreatment of the child by a person responsible for the 
child's welfare.
    (iv) Sexual abuse. Alleged or substantiated sexual abuse or 
exploitation of the child by a person who is responsible for the 
child's welfare.
    (v) Psychological or emotional abuse. Alleged or substantiated 
psychological or emotional abuse, including verbal abuse, of the child 
by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare.
    (vi) Neglect. Alleged or substantiated negligent treatment or 
maltreatment of the child, including failure to provide adequate food, 
clothing, shelter, supervision or care by a person who is responsible 
for the child's welfare.
    (vii) Medical neglect. Alleged or substantiated medical neglect 
caused by a failure to provide for the appropriate health care of the 
child by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare, although 
the person was financially able to do so, or was offered financial or 
other means to do so.
    (viii) Domestic violence. Alleged or substantiated violent act(s), 
including any forceful detention of an individual that results in, 
threatens to result in, or attempts to cause physical injury or mental 
harm. This is committed by a person against another individual residing 
in the child's home and with whom such person is in an intimate 
relationship, dating relationship, is or was related by marriage, or 
has a child in common. This circumstance includes domestic violence 
between the child and his or her partner and applies to a child or 
youth of any age (including those younger and older than the age of 
majority. This does not include alleged or substantiated maltreatment 
of the child by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare.
    (ix) Abandonment. The child was left alone or with others and the 
parent or legal guardian's identity is unknown and cannot be 
ascertained. This does not include a child left at a ``safe haven'' as 
defined by the title IV-E agency. This category does not apply when the 
identity of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is known.
    (x) Failure to return. The parent, legal guardian or caretaker did 
not or has not returned for the child or made his or her whereabouts 
known. This category does not apply when the identity of the parent, 
legal guardian or caretaker is unknown.
    (xi) Caretaker's alcohol use. A parent, legal guardian or other 
caretaker responsible for the child uses alcohol compulsively that is 
not of a temporary nature.
    (xii) Caretaker's drug use. A parent, legal guardian or other 
caretaker responsible for the child uses drugs compulsively that is not 
of a temporary nature.
    (xiii) Child alcohol use. The child uses alcohol.
    (xiv) Child drug use. The child uses drugs.
    (xv) Prenatal alcohol exposure. The child has been identified as 
prenatally exposed to alcohol, resulting in fetal alcohol spectrum 
disorders such as fetal alcohol exposure, fetal alcohol effect or fetal 
alcohol syndrome.
    (xvi) Prenatal drug exposure. The child has been identified as 
prenatally exposed to drugs.
    (xvii) Diagnosed condition. The child has a clinical diagnosis by a 
qualified professional of a health, behavioral or mental health 
condition, such as one or more of the following: Intellectual 
disability, emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, 
hearing, speech or sight impairment, physical disability or other 
clinically diagnosed condition.
    (xviii) Inadequate access to mental health services. The child and/
or child's family has inadequate resources to access the necessary 
mental health services outside of the child's out-of-home care 
placement.
    (xix) Inadequate access to medical services. The child and/or 
child's family has inadequate resources to access the necessary medical 
services outside of the child's out-of-home care placement.
    (xx) Child behavior problem. The child's behavior in his or her 
school and/or community adversely affects his or her socialization, 
learning, growth and/or moral development. This includes all child 
behavior problems, as well as adjudicated and non-adjudicated status or 
delinquency offenses and convictions.
    (xxi) Death of caretaker. Existing family stress in caring for the 
child or an inability to care for the child due to the death of a 
parent, legal guardian or other caretaker.
    (xxii) Incarceration of caretaker. The child's parent, legal 
guardian or caretaker is temporarily or permanently placed in jail or 
prison which adversely affects his or her ability to care for the 
child.
    (xxiii) Caretaker's significant impairment--physical/emotional. A 
physical or emotional illness or disabling condition of the child's 
parent, legal guardian or caretaker that adversely limits his or her 
ability to care for the child.
    (xxiv) Caretaker's significant impairment--cognitive. The child's 
parent, legal guardian or caretaker has cognitive limitations that 
impact his or her ability to function in areas of daily life, which 
adversely affect his or her ability to care for the child. It also may 
be characterized by a significantly below-average score on a test of 
mental ability or intelligence.
    (xxv) Inadequate housing. The child's or his or her family's 
housing is substandard, overcrowded, unsafe or otherwise inadequate 
which results in it being inappropriate for the child to reside.
    (xxvi) Voluntary relinquishment for adoption. The child's parent 
has voluntarily relinquished the child by assigning the physical and 
legal custody of the child to the title IV-E agency, in writing, for 
the purpose of having the child adopted. This includes a child left at 
a ``safe haven'' as defined by the title IV-E agency.
    (xxvii) Child requested placement. The child, age 18 or older, has 
requested placement into foster care.
    (xxviii) Sex trafficking. The child is a victim of sex trafficking 
at the time of removal.
    (xxix) Parental immigration detainment or deportation. The parent 
is or was detained or deported by immigration officials.
    (xxx) Family conflict related to child's sexual orientation, gender 
identity, or gender expression. There is family conflict related to the 
child's expressed or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or 
gender expression. This includes any conflict related to the ways in 
which a child manifests masculinity or femininity.
    (xxxi) Educational neglect. Alleged or substantiated failure of a 
parent or caregiver to enroll a child of mandatory school age in school 
or provide appropriate home schooling or needed special educational 
training, thus allowing the child or youth to engage in chronic 
truancy.
    (xxxii) Public agency title IV-E agreement. The child is in the 
placement and care responsibility of another public agency that has an 
agreement with the title IV-E agency pursuant to section 472(a)(2)(B) 
of the Act and on whose behalf title IV-E

[[Page 16596]]

foster care maintenance payments are made.
    (xxxiii) Tribal title IV-E agreement. The child is in the placement 
and care responsibility of an Indian tribe, tribal organization or 
consortium with which the title IV-E agency has an agreement and on 
whose behalf title IV-E foster care maintenance payments are made.
    (xxxiv) Homelessness. The child or his or her family has no regular 
or adequate place to live. This includes living in a car, or on the 
street, or staying in a homeless or other temporary shelter.
    (5) Victim of sex trafficking prior to entering foster care. 
Indicate whether the child had been a victim of sex trafficking before 
the current out-of-home care episode. Indicate ``yes'' if the child was 
a victim or ``no'' if the child had not been a victim.
    (i) Report to law enforcement. If the title IV-E agency indicated 
``yes'' in paragraph (d)(5) introductory text of this section, indicate 
whether the title IV-E agency made a report to law enforcement for 
entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. 
Indicate ``yes'' if the agency made a report to law enforcement and 
indicate ``no'' if the agency did not make a report.
    (ii) Date. If the title IV-E agency indicated ``yes'' in paragraph 
(d)(5)(i) of this section, indicate the date that the agency made the 
report to law enforcement.
    (6) Victim of sex trafficking while in foster care. Indicate 
``yes'' if the child was a victim of sex trafficking while in out-of-
home care during the current out-of-home care episode. Indicate ``no'' 
if the child was not a victim of sex trafficking during the current 
out-of-home care episode.
    (i) Report to law enforcement. If the title IV-E agency indicated 
``yes'' in this paragraph (d)(6) of this section, indicate whether the 
agency made a report to law enforcement for entry into the NCIC 
database. Indicate ``yes'' if the title IV-E agency made a report(s) to 
law enforcement and indicate ``no'' if the title IV-E agency did not 
make a report.
    (ii) Date. If the title IV-E agency indicated ``yes'' in paragraph 
(d)(6)(i) of this section, indicate the date(s) the agency made the 
report(s) to law enforcement.
    (e) Living arrangement and provider information--(1) Date of living 
arrangement. Indicate the month, day and year representing the first 
date of placement in each of the child's living arrangements for each 
out-of-home care episode. In the case of a child who has run away, 
whose whereabouts are unknown, or who is already in a living 
arrangement and remains there when the title IV-E agency receives 
placement and care responsibility, indicate the date of the VPA or 
court order providing the title IV-E agency with placement and care 
responsibility for the child, rather than the date when the child was 
originally placed in the living arrangement.
    (2) Foster family home. Indicate whether each of the child's living 
arrangements is a foster family home, with a ``yes'' or ``no'' as 
appropriate. If the child has run away or the child's whereabouts are 
unknown, indicate ``no.'' If the title IV-E agency indicates that the 
child is living in a foster family home, by indicating ``yes,'' the 
title IV-E agency must complete paragraph (e)(3) of this section. If 
the title IV-E agency indicates ``no,'' the title IV-E agency must 
complete paragraph (e)(4) of this section.
    (3) Foster family home type. If the title IV-E agency indicated 
that the child is living in a foster family home in paragraph (e)(2) of 
this section, indicate whether each foster family home type listed in 
paragraphs (e)(3)(i) through (vi) of this section applies or does not 
apply; otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph (e)(3) 
blank.
    (i) Licensed home. The child's living arrangement is licensed or 
approved by the state or tribal licensing/approval authority.
    (ii) Therapeutic foster family home. The home provides specialized 
care and services.
    (iii) Shelter care foster family home. The home is so designated by 
the state or tribal licensing/approval authority, and is designed to 
provide short-term or transitional care.
    (iv) Relative foster family home. The foster parent(s) is related 
to the child by biological, legal or marital connection and the 
relative foster parent(s) lives in the home as his or her primary 
residence.
    (v) Pre-adoptive home. The home is one in which the family and the 
title IV-E agency have agreed on a plan to adopt the child.
    (vi) Kin foster family home. The home is one in which there is a 
kin relationship as defined by the title IV-E agency, such as one where 
there is a psychological, cultural or emotional relationship between 
the child or the child's family and the foster parent(s) and there is 
not a legal, biological, or marital connection between the child and 
foster parent.
    (4) Other living arrangement type. If the title IV-E agency 
indicated that the child's living arrangement is other than a foster 
family home in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, indicate the type of 
setting; otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph 
blank. Indicate ``group home-family operated'' if the child is in a 
group home that provides 24-hour care in a private family home where 
the family members are the primary caregivers. Indicate ``group home-
staff operated'' if the child is in a group home that provides 24-hour 
care for children where the care-giving is provided by shift or 
rotating staff. Indicate ``group home-shelter care'' if the child is in 
a group home that provides 24-hour care which is short-term or 
transitional in nature, and is designated by the state or tribal 
licensing/approval authority to provide shelter care. Indicate 
``residential treatment center'' if the child is in a facility that has 
the purpose of treating children with mental health or behavioral 
conditions or if the child is placed with a parent who is in a licensed 
residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse per 
section 472(j) of the Act. This does not include a qualified 
residential treatment program defined in section 472(k)(4) of the Act. 
Indicate ``qualified residential treatment program'' if the child is in 
a placement that meets all of the requirements of section 472(k)(2)(A) 
and (4) of the Act. Indicate ``child care institution'' if the child is 
in a private child care institution, or a public child care institution 
which accommodates no more than 25 children, and is licensed by the 
state or tribal authority responsible for licensing or approving child 
care institutions. This includes a setting specializing in providing 
prenatal, post-partum, or parenting supports for youth per section 
472(k)(2)(B) of the Act, and a setting providing high-quality 
residential care and supportive services to children and youth who have 
been found to be, or are at risk of becoming, sex trafficking victims 
per section 472(k)(2)(D) of the Act. This does not include detention 
facilities, forestry camps, training schools or any other facility 
operated primarily for the detention of children who are determined to 
be delinquent. Indicate ``child care institution-shelter care'' if the 
child is in a child care institution and the institution is designated 
to provide shelter care by the state or tribal authority responsible 
for licensing or approving child care institutions and is short-term or 
transitional in nature. Indicate ``supervised independent living'' if 
the child is living independently in a supervised setting. Indicate 
``juvenile justice facility'' if the child is in a secure facility or 
institution where alleged or adjudicated juvenile delinquents are

[[Page 16597]]

housed. Indicate ``medical or rehabilitative facility'' if the child is 
in a facility where an individual receives medical or physical health 
care, such as a hospital. Indicate ``psychiatric hospital'' if the 
child is in a facility that provides emotional or psychological health 
care and is licensed or accredited as a hospital. Indicate ``runaway'' 
if the child has left, without authorization, the home or facility 
where the child was placed. Indicate ``whereabouts unknown'' if the 
child is not in the physical custody of the title IV-E agency or person 
or institution with whom the child has been placed, the child's 
whereabouts are unknown and the title IV-E agency does not consider the 
child to have run away. Indicate ``placed at home'' if the child is 
home with the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in preparation for the 
title IV-E agency to return the child home permanently.
    (5) Location of living arrangement. Indicate whether each of the 
child's living arrangements reported in paragraph (e)(1) of this 
section is located within or outside of the reporting state or tribal 
service area or is outside of the country. Indicate ``out-of-state or 
out-of-tribal service area'' if the child's living arrangement is 
located outside of the reporting state or tribal service area but 
inside the United States. Indicate ``in-state or in-tribal service 
area'' if the child's living arrangement is located within the 
reporting state or tribal service area. Indicate ``out-of-country'' if 
the child's living arrangement is outside of the United States. 
Indicate ``runaway or whereabouts unknown'' if the child has run away 
from his or her living arrangement or the child's whereabouts are 
unknown. If the title IV-E agency indicates either ``out-of-state or 
out-of-tribal service area'' or ``out-of-country'' for the child's 
living arrangement, the title IV-E agency must complete paragraph 
(e)(6) of this section; otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave 
paragraph (e)(6) of this section blank.
    (6) Jurisdiction or country where child is living. Indicate the 
state, tribal service area, Indian reservation, or country where the 
reporting title IV-E agency placed the child for each living 
arrangement, if the title IV-E agency indicated either ``out-of-state'' 
or ``out-of-tribal service area'' or ``out-of-country'' in paragraph 
(e)(5) of this section; otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave 
paragraph (e)(6) of this section blank. The title IV-E agency must 
report the information in a format according to ACF's specifications.
    (7) Marital status of the foster parent(s). Indicate the marital 
status of the child's foster parent(s) for each foster family home 
living arrangement in which the child is placed, as indicated in 
paragraph (e)(3) of this section. Indicate ``married couple'' if the 
foster parents are considered united in matrimony according to 
applicable laws. Include common law marriage, where provided by 
applicable laws. Indicate ``unmarried couple'' if the foster parents 
are living together as a couple, but are not united in matrimony 
according to applicable laws. Indicate ``separated'' if the foster 
parent is legally separated or is living apart from his or her spouse. 
Indicate ``single adult'' if the foster parent is not married and is 
not living with another individual as part of a couple. If the response 
is either ``married couple'' or ``unmarried couple,'' the title IV-E 
agency must complete the paragraphs for the second foster parent in 
paragraphs (e)(14) through (18) of this section; otherwise the title 
IV-E agency must leave those paragraphs blank.
    (8) Child's relationships to the foster parent(s). Indicate the 
type of relationship between the child and his or her foster parent(s), 
for each foster family home living arrangement in which the child is 
placed, as indicated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section. Indicate 
``relative(s)'' if the foster parent(s) is the child's relative (by 
biological, legal or marital connection). Indicate ``non-relative(s)'' 
if the foster parent(s) is not related to the child (by biological, 
legal or marital connection). Indicate ``kin'' if the foster parent(s) 
has kin relationship to the child as defined by the title IV-E agency, 
such as one where there is a psychological, cultural or emotional 
relationship between the child or the child's family and the foster 
parent(s) and there is not a legal, biological, or marital connection 
between the child and foster parent.
    (9) Year of birth for first foster parent. Indicate the year of 
birth for the first foster parent for each foster family home living 
arrangement in which the child is placed, as indicated in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section.
    (10) First foster parent tribal membership. For state title IV-E 
agencies only: Indicate whether the first foster parent is a member of 
an Indian tribe. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no,'' or ``unknown.''
    (11) Race of first foster parent. Indicate the race of the first 
foster parent for each foster family home living arrangement in which 
the child is placed, as indicated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section. 
In general, an individual's race is determined by the individual. 
Indicate whether each race category listed in paragraphs (e)(11)(i) 
through (vii) of this section applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.''
    (i) Race--American Indian or Alaska Native. An American Indian or 
Alaska Native individual has origins in any of the original peoples of 
North or South America (including Central America) and maintains tribal 
affiliation or community attachment.
    (ii) Race--Asian. An Asian individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian 
subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, 
Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and 
Vietnam.
    (iii) Race--Black or African American. A Black or African American 
individual has origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
    (iv) Race--Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A Native 
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
    (v) Race--White. A White individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
    (vi) Race--unknown. The foster parent does not know his or her 
race, or at least one race.
    (vii) Race--declined. The first foster parent has declined to 
identify a race.
    (12) Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of first foster parent. Indicate 
the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the first foster parent for each 
foster family home living arrangement in which the child is placed, as 
indicated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section. In general, an 
individual's ethnicity is determined by the individual. An individual 
is of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity if the individual is a person of 
Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other 
Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. Indicate whether this 
category applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.'' If the first foster parent 
does not know his or her ethnicity indicate ``unknown.'' If the 
individual refuses to identify his or her ethnicity, indicate 
``declined.''
    (13) Sex of first foster parent. Indicate whether the first foster 
parent is ``female'' or ``male.''
    (14) Year of birth for second foster parent. Indicate the birth 
year of the second foster parent for each foster family home living 
arrangement in which the child is placed, as indicated in paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section, if applicable. The title IV-E agency must leave 
this paragraph blank if there is no second foster parent according to 
paragraph (e)(7) of this section.

[[Page 16598]]

    (15) Second foster parent tribal membership. For state title IV-E 
agencies only: Indicate whether the second foster parent is a member of 
an Indian tribe. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no,'' or ``unknown.''
    (16) Race of second foster parent. Indicate the race of the second 
foster parent for each foster family home living arrangement in which 
the child is placed, as indicated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, 
if applicable. In general, an individual's race is determined by the 
individual. Indicate whether each race category listed in paragraphs 
(e)(16)(i) through (vii) of this section applies with a ``yes'' or 
``no.'' The title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph blank if there 
is no second foster parent according to paragraph (e)(7) of this 
section.
    (i) Race--American Indian or Alaska Native. An American Indian or 
Alaska Native individual has origins in any of the original peoples of 
North or South America (including Central America) and maintains tribal 
affiliation or community attachment.
    (ii) Race--Asian. An Asian individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian 
subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, 
Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and 
Vietnam.
    (iii) Race--Black or African American. A Black or African American 
individual has origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
    (iv) Race--Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A Native 
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
    (v) Race--White. A White individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
    (vi) Race--unknown. The second foster parent does not know his or 
her race, or at least one race.
    (vii) Race--declined. The second foster parent has declined to 
identify a race.
    (17) Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of second foster parent. Indicate 
the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of the second foster parent for each 
foster family home living arrangement in which the child is placed, as 
indicated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, if applicable. In 
general, an individual's ethnicity is determined by the individual. An 
individual is of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity if the individual is a 
person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American or 
other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. Indicate whether 
this category applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.'' If the second foster 
parent does not know his or her ethnicity, indicate ``unknown.'' If the 
individual refuses to identify his or her ethnicity, indicate 
``declined.'' The title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph blank if 
there is no second foster parent according to paragraph (e)(7) of this 
section.
    (18) Sex of second foster parent. Indicate whether the second 
foster parent is ``female'' or ``male.''
    (f) Permanency planning--(1) Permanency plan. Indicate each 
permanency plan established for the child. Indicate ``reunify with 
parent(s) or legal guardian(s)'' if the plan is to keep the child in 
out-of-home care for a limited time and the title IV-E agency is to 
work with the child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) to establish a 
stable family environment. Indicate ``live with other relatives'' if 
the plan is for the child to live permanently with a relative(s) (by 
biological, legal or marital connection) who is not the child's 
parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Indicate ``adoption'' if the plan is to 
facilitate the child's adoption by relatives, foster parents, kin or 
other unrelated individuals. Indicate ``guardianship'' if the plan is 
to establish a new legal guardianship. Indicate ``planned permanent 
living arrangement'' if the plan is for the child to remain in foster 
care until the title IV-E agency's placement and care responsibility 
ends. The title IV-E agency must only select ``planned permanent living 
arrangement'' consistent with the requirements in section 475(5)(C)(i) 
of the Act. Indicate ``permanency plan not established'' if a 
permanency plan has not yet been established.
    (2) Date of permanency plan. Indicate the month, day and year that 
each permanency plan(s) was established during each out-of-home care 
episode.
    (3) Date of periodic review. Enter the month, day and year of each 
periodic review, either by a court or by administrative review (as 
defined in section 475(6) of the Act) that meets the requirements of 
section 475(5)(B) of the Act.
    (4) Date of permanency hearing. Enter the month, day and year of 
each permanency hearing held by a court or an administrative body 
appointed or approved by the court that meets the requirements of 
section 475(5)(C) of the Act.
    (5) Caseworker visit dates. Enter each date in which a caseworker 
had an in-person, face-to-face visit with the child consistent with 
section 422(b)(17) of the Act. Indicate the month, day and year of each 
visit.
    (6) Caseworker visit location. Indicate the location of each in-
person, face-to-face visit between the caseworker and the child. 
Indicate ``child's residence'' if the visit occurred at the location 
where the child is currently residing, such as the current foster care 
provider's home, child care institution or facility. Indicate ``other 
location'' if the visit occurred at any location other than where the 
child currently resides, such as the child's school, a court, a child 
welfare office or in the larger community.
    (g) General exit information. Provide exit information for each 
out-of-home care episode. An exit occurs when the title IV-E agency's 
placement and care responsibility of the child ends.
    (1) Date of exit. Indicate the month, day and year for each of the 
child's exits from out-of-home care. An exit occurs when the title IV-E 
agency's placement and care responsibility of the child ends. If the 
child has not exited out-of-home care the title IV-E agency must leave 
this paragraph blank. If this paragraph is applicable, paragraphs 
(g)(2) and (3) of this section must have a response.
    (2) Exit transaction date. A non-modifiable, computer-generated 
date which accurately indicates the month, day and year each response 
to paragraph (g)(1) of this section was entered into the information 
system.
    (3) Exit reason. Indicate the reason for each of the child's exits 
from out-of-home care. Indicate ``not applicable'' if the child has not 
exited out-of-home care. Indicate ``reunify with parent(s)/legal 
guardian(s)'' if the child was returned to his or her parent(s) or 
legal guardian(s) and the title IV-E agency no longer has placement and 
care responsibility. Indicate ``live with other relatives'' if the 
child exited to live with a relative (related by a biological, legal or 
marital connection) other than his or her parent(s) or legal 
guardian(s). Indicate ``adoption'' if the child was legally adopted. 
Indicate ``emancipation'' if the child exited care due to age. Indicate 
``guardianship'' if the child exited due to a legal guardianship of the 
child. Indicate ``runaway or whereabouts unknown'' if the child ran 
away or the child's whereabouts were unknown at the time that the title 
IV-E agency's placement and care responsibility ends. Indicate ``death 
of child'' if the child died while in out-of-home care. Indicate 
``transfer to another agency'' if placement and care responsibility for 
the child was transferred to another agency, either within or outside 
of the reporting state or tribal service area.

[[Page 16599]]

    (4) Transfer to another agency. If the title IV-E agency indicated 
the child was transferred to another agency in paragraph (g)(3) of this 
section, indicate the type of agency that received placement and care 
responsibility for the child from the following options: ``State title 
IV-E agency,'' ``Tribal title IV-E agency,'' ``Indian tribe or tribal 
agency (non-IV-E),'' ``juvenile justice agency,'' ``mental health 
agency,'' ``other public agency'' or ``private agency.''
    (h) Exit to adoption and guardianship information. Report 
information in paragraph (h) only if the title IV-E agency indicated 
the child exited to adoption or legal guardianship in paragraph (g)(3) 
of this section. Otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave paragraphs 
(h)(1) through (15) of this section blank.
    (1) Marital status of the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s). 
Indicate the marital status of the adoptive parent(s) or legal 
guardian(s). Indicate ``married couple'' if the adoptive parents or 
legal guardians are considered united in matrimony according to 
applicable laws. Include common law marriage, where provided by 
applicable laws. Indicate ``married but individually adopting or 
obtaining legal guardianship'' if the adoptive parents or legal 
guardians are considered united in matrimony according to applicable 
laws, but are individually adopting or obtaining legal guardianship. 
Indicate ``separated'' if the foster parent is legally separated or is 
living apart from his or her spouse. Indicate ``unmarried couple'' if 
the adoptive parents or guardians are living together as a couple, but 
are not united in matrimony according to applicable laws. Use this 
response option even if only one person of the unmarried couple is the 
adoptive parent or legal guardian of the child. Indicate ``single 
adult'' if the adoptive parent or legal guardian is not married and is 
not living with another individual as part of a couple. If the response 
is ``married couple'' or ``unmarried couple,'' the title IV-E agency 
also must complete paragraphs for the second adoptive parent or second 
legal guardian in paragraphs (h)(8) through (12) of this section; 
otherwise the title IV-E agency must leave those paragraphs blank.
    (2) Child's relationship to the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s). 
Indicate the type of relationship between the child and his or her 
adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Indicate whether each 
relationship listed in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (iv) of this 
section ``applies'' or ``does not apply.''
    (i) Relative(s). The adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is the 
child's relative (by biological, legal or marital connection).
    (ii) Kin. The adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s) has a kin 
relationship with the child, as defined by the title IV-E agency, such 
as one where there is a psychological, cultural or emotional 
relationship between the child or the child's family and the adoptive 
parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and there is not a legal, biological, or 
marital connection between the child and foster parent.
    (iii) Non-relative(s). The adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 
is not related to the child by biological, legal or marital connection.
    (iv) Foster parent(s). The adoptive parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 
was the child's foster parent(s).
    (3) Date of birth of first adoptive parent or guardian. Indicate 
the month, day and year of the birth of the first adoptive parent or 
legal guardian.
    (4) First adoptive parent or guardian tribal membership. For state 
title IV-E agencies only: Indicate whether the first adoptive parent or 
guardian is a member of an Indian tribe. Indicate ``yes,'' ``no'' or 
``unknown.''
    (5) Race of first adoptive parent or guardian. In general, an 
individual's race is determined by the individual. Indicate whether 
each race category listed in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) through (vii) of this 
section applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.''
    (i) Race--American Indian or Alaska Native. An American Indian or 
Alaska Native individual has origins in any of the original peoples of 
North or South America (including Central America), and maintains 
tribal affiliation or community attachment.
    (ii) Race--Asian. An Asian individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian 
subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, 
Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and 
Vietnam.
    (iii) Race--Black or African American. A Black or African American 
individual has origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
    (iv) Race--Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A Native 
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
    (v) Race--White. A White individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
    (vi) Race--Unknown. The first adoptive parent or legal guardian 
does not know his or her race, or at least one race.
    (vii) Race--Declined. The first adoptive parent, or legal guardian 
has declined to identify a race.
    (6) Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of first adoptive parent or 
guardian. In general, an individual's ethnicity is determined by the 
individual. An individual is of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity if the 
individual is a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or 
Central American or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of 
race. Indicate whether this category applies with a ``yes'' or ``no.'' 
If the first adoptive parent or legal guardian does not know his or her 
ethnicity, indicate ``unknown.'' If the individual refuses to identify 
his or her ethnicity, indicate ``declined.''
    (7) Sex of first adoptive parent or guardian. Indicate whether the 
first adoptive parent is ``female'' or ``male.''
    (8) Date of birth of second adoptive parent, guardian, or other 
member of the couple. Indicate the month, day and year of the date of 
birth of the second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of 
the couple. The title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph blank if 
there is no second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of 
the couple according to paragraph (h)(1) of this section.
    (9) Second adoptive parent, guardian, or other member of the couple 
tribal membership. For state title IV-E agencies only: Indicate whether 
the second adoptive parent or guardian is a member of an Indian tribe. 
Indicate ``yes,'' ``no'' or ``unknown.''
    (10) Race of second adoptive parent, guardian, or other member of 
the couple. In general, an individual's race is determined by the 
individual. Indicate whether each race category listed in paragraphs 
(h)(10)(i) through (vii) of this section applies with a ``yes'' or 
``no.'' The title IV-E agency must leave this paragraph blank if there 
is no second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or other member of the 
couple according to paragraph (h)(1) of this section.
    (i) Race--American Indian or Alaska Native. An American Indian or 
Alaska Native individual has origins in any of the original peoples of 
North or South America (including Central America), and maintains 
tribal affiliation or community attachment.
    (ii) Race--Asian. An Asian individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian 
subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, 
Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and 
Vietnam.

[[Page 16600]]

    (iii) Race--Black or African American. A Black or African American 
individual has origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
    (iv) Race--Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. A Native 
Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
    (v) Race--White. A White individual has origins in any of the 
original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
    (vi) Race--Unknown. The second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or 
other member of the couple does not know his or her race, or at least 
one race.
    (vii) Race--Declined. The second adoptive parent, legal guardian, 
or other member of the couple has declined to identify a race.
    (11) Hispanic or Latino ethnicity of second adoptive parent, 
guardian, or other member of the couple. In general, an individual's 
ethnicity is determined by the individual. An individual is of Hispanic 
or Latino ethnicity if the individual is a person of Cuban, Mexican, 
Puerto Rican, South or Central American or other Spanish culture or 
origin, regardless of race. Indicate whether this category applies with 
a ``yes'' or ``no.'' If the second adoptive parent, legal guardian, or 
other member of the couple does not know his or her ethnicity, indicate 
``unknown.'' If the individual refuses to identify his or her 
ethnicity, indicate ``declined.'' The title IV-E agency must leave this 
paragraph blank if there is no second adoptive parent, legal guardian, 
or other member of the couple according to paragraph (h)(1) of this 
section.
    (12) Sex of second adoptive parent, guardian, or other member of 
the couple. Indicate whether the second adoptive parent, guardian, or 
other member of the couple is ``female'' or ``male.''
    (13) Inter/Intrajurisdictional adoption or guardianship. Indicate 
whether the child was placed within the state or tribal service area, 
outside of the state or tribal service area or into another country for 
adoption or legal guardianship. Indicate ``interjurisdictional adoption 
or guardianship'' if the reporting title IV-E agency placed the child 
for adoption or legal guardianship outside of the state or tribal 
service area but within the United States. Indicate ``intercountry 
adoption or guardianship'' if the reporting title IV-E agency placed 
the child for adoption or legal guardianship outside of the United 
States. Indicate ``intrajurisdictional adoption or guardianship'' if 
the reporting title IV-E agency placed the child within the same state 
or tribal service area as the one with placing responsibility.
    (14) Assistance agreement type. Indicate the type of assistance 
agreement between the title IV-E agency and the adoptive parent(s) or 
legal guardian(s): ``Title IV-E adoption assistance agreement''; 
``State/tribal adoption assistance agreement''; ``Adoption-Title IV-E 
agreement non-recurring expenses only''; ``Adoption-Title IV-E 
agreement Medicaid only''; ``Title IV-E guardianship assistance 
agreement''; ``State/tribal guardianship assistance agreement''; or 
``no agreement'' if there is no assistance agreement.
    (15) Siblings in adoptive or guardianship home. Indicate the number 
of siblings of the child who are in the same adoptive or guardianship 
home as the child. A sibling to the child is his or her brother or 
sister by biological, legal, or marital connection. Do not include the 
child who is subject of this record in the total number. If the child 
does not have any siblings, the title IV-E agency must indicate ``not 
applicable.'' If the child has siblings, but they are not in the same 
adoptive or guardianship home as the child, the title IV-E agency must 
indicate ``0.''
0
5. In Sec.  1355.45, revise paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3)(vi) and add 
paragraph (f) to read as follows:


Sec.  1355.45  Adoption and guardianship assistance data file elements.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Child's sex. Indicate ``male'' or ``female.''
    (3) * * *
    (vi) Race--Unknown. The child or parent or legal guardian does not 
know the race, or at least one race of the child is not known. This 
category does not apply when the child has been abandoned or the 
parents failed to return and the identity of the child, parent(s), or 
legal guardian(s) is known.
* * * * *
    (f) Adoption or guardianship placing agency. Indicate the agency 
that placed the child for adoption or legal guardianship. Indicate 
``title IV-E agency'' if the reporting title IV-E agency placed the 
child for adoption or legal guardianship. Indicate ``private agency 
under agreement'' if a private agency placed the child for adoption or 
legal guardianship through an agreement with the reporting title IV-E 
agency. Indicate ``Indian tribe under contract/agreement'' if an Indian 
tribe, tribal organization or consortia placed the child for adoption 
or legal guardianship through a contract or an agreement with the 
reporting title IV-E agency.
0
6. In Sec.  1355.46, revise the second sentence of paragraph (c)(2) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  1355.46  Compliance.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * * In addition, each record subject to compliance standards 
within the data file must have the data elements described in 
Sec. Sec.  1355.44(a)(1) through (4), 1355.44(b)(1) and (2), and 
1355.45(a) and (b)(1) and (2) be 100 percent free of missing data, 
invalid data and internally inconsistent data (see paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (3) of this section). * * *
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-07827 Filed 4-16-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4184-25-P