H.R. 3403 · 118th Congress
Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 118th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
R
BaconSponsor8 cosponsors · 5 D, 3 R
6 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
This bill establishes requirements related to state compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA). The ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of these children in foster or adoptive homes.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · May 17, 2023
Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023
This bill establishes requirements related to state compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA). The ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of these children in foster or adoptive homes.
Specifically, the bill requires a state plan for child welfare services and a state plan related to the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program to ensure that the agency administering or supervising the plan (e.g., a child welfare agency) shall comply with all federal standards established under the ICWA.
Further, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of the Interior must, in consultation with Indian tribal organizations and states, develop a memorandum of understanding that specifies the factors for measuring compliance with the ICWA. These factors must include requirements sufficient to assess state strengths and areas for improvement in implementing the ICWA (e.g., timely tribal notice of state child custody proceedings).
Additionally, the bill directs HHS to submit biennial reports to Congress on certain reviews of child and family service programs.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023
Latest action (Dec 17, 2024): Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.
Policy area: Native Americans · Origin: House · Introduced: May 17, 2023
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.