H.R. 3058 would require states to include a family partnership plan describing how they will recruit, screen, and retain foster and adoptive families in the plans they submit to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Current law requires states to submit a foster care plan to be eligible to receive grants for child and family services under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. The bill also would require HHS to report to the Congress annually on the number, demographics, and characteristics of foster and adoptive families in each state and on the challenges of, and barriers to, being a foster or adoptive parent.
Using information from HHS, CBO estimates that implementing the new requirements would cost the department less than $500,000 over the 2024-2028 period. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
H.R. 3058 would impose an intergovernmental mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by requiring states’ foster care plans to include a family partnership plan. Such a plan would include details on placement resources for children, efforts to increase the rate of placements with family members, and data on foster family capacity and usage. Under current law, states publish a substantial volume of data and information on the operation of their foster care programs through strategic plans and annual reports. The duties required by the bill would not significantly expand those requirements.
