[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8460 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8460
To strengthen the Court Improvement Program to advance technology and
modernizing the judicial child welfare system.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 17, 2024
Mr. Moore of Utah (for himself, Ms. Chu, and Mrs. Miller of West
Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To strengthen the Court Improvement Program to advance technology and
modernizing the judicial child welfare system.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Court Improvement Program
Enhancement Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION THAT COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS MAY BE USED
FOR TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO PREVENT DISRUPTION AND
ENABLE RECOVERY FROM VARIOUS THREATS.
Section 438(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) to prevent disruption and enable recovery from
threats such as public health crises, natural disasters, or
cyber-attacks, including technology support for remote hearings
or legal representation, developing guidance, coordinating with
other agencies, or otherwise ensuring back-up approaches are in
place to ensure continuity of needed services.''.
SEC. 3. ASSESSMENT OF, AND IMPROVEMENT IN, HANDLING OF PROCEEDINGS
RELATING TO FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION.
Section 438(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)), as
amended by this Act, is further amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
``(F) that determine the appropriateness, and best
practices for use, of technology to allow conduct of
remote hearings, including to ensure maximum
participation of individuals involved in proceedings
and to enable courts to maintain operations in times of
public health or other emergencies;''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting after ``and other
legal personnel'' the following: ``and supporting optimal use
of remote hearing technology''.
SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE ON SHARING BEST PRACTICES FOR
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES NEEDED FOR COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR
FOSTER CARE OR ADOPTION TO BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY.
(a) In General.--Every 5 years, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, through the Administration for Children and Families, shall
issue implementation guidance for sharing information on the best
practices for--
(1) technological changes needed for court proceedings for
foster care or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way that
maximizes engagement and protects the privacy of participants;
and
(2) the manner in which the proceedings should be
conducted.
(b) Initial Issuance.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall issue the 1st guidance required by subsection (a) not later than
January 1, 2025.
(c) Additional Consultation.--The Administration for Children and
Families shall consult with Indian tribes on the development of
appropriate guidelines for State proceedings involving Indian children
to maximize engagement of Indian tribes and provide appropriate
guidelines on the conducting of proceedings subject to the Indian Child
Welfare Act (25 USC 1901 et seq.).
SEC. 5. RESERVATION OF AMOUNTS.
Section 436(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(2))
is amended by striking ``$30,000,000'' and inserting ``$40,000,000''.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on
the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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