Pub. L. 118–258, title I, §§ 104(b)–(d), 107(b)(3), 115(b)(2)(F), 117,
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
“(F) that determine the appropriateness and best practices for use of technology to conduct remote hearings, subject to participant consent, 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;”;
(B) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking “personnel.” and inserting “personnel and supporting optimal use of remote hearing technology; and”; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
“(3) to ensure continuity of needed court services, prevent disruption of the services, and enable their recovery from threats such as public health crises, natural disasters or cyberattacks, including through—
“(A) support for technology that allows court proceedings to occur remotely subject to participant consent, including hearings and legal representation;
“(B) the development of guidance and protocols for responding to the occurrences and coordinating with other agencies; and
“(C) other activities carried out to ensure backup systems are in place.”;
(2) in subsection (c)—
(A) by striking “629f(b)(2)” and inserting “629f(b)(1)” in each of paragraphs (1) through (3); and
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting “for fiscal year 2025, and $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029,” before “for grants”;
(3) in subsection (d), by striking “2017 through 2023” and inserting “2025 through 2029”; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
(e) Guidance
(1) In general
Every 5 years, the Secretary shall issue implementation guidance for sharing information on best practices for—
(A) technological changes needed for court proceedings for foster care, guardianship, or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way that maximizes engagement and protects the privacy of participants; and
(B) the manner in which the proceedings should be conducted.
(2) Initial issuance
The Secretary shall issue initial guidance required by paragraph (1) with preliminary information on best practices not later than
(3) Additional consultation
The Secretary shall consult with Indian tribes on the development of appropriate guidelines for State court proceedings involving Indian children to maximize engagement of Indian tribes and provide appropriate guidelines on conducting State court proceedings subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).
See 2025 Amendment notes below.
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 105–89,
Section was formerly set out as a note under section 670 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 107–133.
A prior section 438 of act
2025—Subsec. (a)(1)(F). Pub. L. 118–258, § 104(c)(1), added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 118–258, § 104(c)(2), substituted “personnel and supporting optimal use of remote hearing technology; and” for “personnel.”
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 118–258, § 104(c)(3), added par. (3).
Subsec. (c)(1), (2). Pub. L. 118–258, § 115(b)(2)(F), substituted “sections 629f(b)(1)” for “sections 629f(b)(2)”.
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 118–258, § 107(b)(2)(F), (3), in introductory provisions, substituted “section 629f(b)(1) of this title” for “section 629f(b)(2) of this title” and inserted “for fiscal year 2025, and $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029,” before “for grants”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–258, § 104(b), which directed substitution of “2025 through 2029” for “2017 through 2023”, was executed by making the substitution for “2018 through 2023” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–258, § 104(d), added subsec. (e).
2022—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–328 substituted “2023” for “2022”.
2020—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(1)(A)(i), inserted “in a timely and complete manner” before “, as set forth”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(1)(A)(ii), substituted “, including by training judges, attorneys, and other legal personnel.” for semicolon at end.
Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(1)(B), struck out pars. (3) and (4) which read as follows:
“(3) to ensure that the safety, permanence, and well-being needs of children are met in a timely and complete manner; and
“(4)(A) to provide for the training of judges, attorneys and other legal personnel in child welfare cases; and
“(B) to increase and improve engagement of the entire family in court processes relating to child welfare, family preservation, family reunification, and adoption.”
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(2), designated par. (1) as text of section and struck out par. (1) heading “In general”, redesignated subpars. (A) to (C) as pars. (1) to (3), respectively, and realigned margins, in par. (1), struck out “in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(3),” before “a description” and inserted “use not less than 30 percent of grant funds to” before “collaborate”, in par. (2), struck out “in the case of a grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(4),” before “a demonstration”, in par. (3), struck out “in the case of a grant for any purpose described in subsection (a),” before “a demonstration”, and struck out former par. (2) which related to single grant application.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(3), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which related to amount of grant and allocation of mandatory and discretionary funds.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, § 7(d), substituted “2022” for “2021”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(4), substituted “2018 through 2022” for “2017 through 2021”.
Pub. L. 116–260, § 7(d), which directed substitution of “2022” for “2021”, was not executed in view of the amendment by Pub. L. 116–260, § 305(b)(4), to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See above.
2018—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50741(c), in introductory provisions, inserted “shall provide for the training of judges, attorneys, and other legal personnel in child welfare cases on Federal child welfare policies and payment limitations with respect to children in foster care who are placed in settings that are not a foster family home,” after “with respect to the child,”.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50752(d)(1), substituted “2017 through 2021” for “2012 through 2016”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50752(d)(2), substituted “2017 through 2021” for “2012 through 2016”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50752(e), struck out subsec. (e). Text read as follows: “Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary, for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010—
“(1) $10,000,000 for grants referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B); and
“(2) $10,000,000 for grants referred to in subsection (b)(2)(C).
“For fiscal year 2011, out of the amount reserved pursuant to section 629f(b)(2) of this title for such fiscal year, there are available $10,000,000 for grants referred to in subsection (b)(2)(B), and $10,000,000 for grants referred to in subsection (b)(2)(C).”
2011—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(a)(1)(A), substituted “, including the requirements in the Act related to concurrent planning;” for “; and”.
Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(a)(1)(B), (C), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(a)(2), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(e), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 109–239, § 8(b). See 2006 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(b), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “A highest State court desiring grants under this section for 2 or more purposes shall submit separate applications for the following grants:
“(A) A grant for the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).
“(B) A grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(3).
“(C) A grant for the purpose described in subsection (a)(4).”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(c), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to allotments.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(d), substituted “2012 through 2016” for “2002 through 2011”.
2010—Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–242, § 133(2)(A), substituted “2011” for “2010”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–242, § 133(2)(B), inserted concluding provisions.
2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–239, § 9, added subpar. (E).
Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 109–171, § 7401(a)(1), added pars. (3) and (4).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–171, § 7401(a)(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, a highest State court shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and including such information and assurances as the Secretary shall require.”
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–239, § 8(b), as amended by Pub. L. 112–34, § 104(e), inserted “shall have in effect a rule requiring State courts to ensure that foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and relative caregivers of a child in foster care under the responsibility of the State are notified of any proceeding to be held with respect to the child, and” after “highest State court” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–171, § 7401(a)(3), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and inserted heading, redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, of par. (1), in subpar. (A), inserted “of this section for a grant described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section” after “subsection (b)” and substituted “subparagraph (B) of this paragraph” for “paragraph (2) of this subsection”, in subpar. (B), substituted “this subparagraph” for “this paragraph” and “subparagraph (A) of this paragraph” for “paragraph (1) of this subsection” and inserted “for such a grant” after “subsection (b)”, and added par. (2).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–288 substituted “2011” for “2006”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–288 substituted “2011” for “2006”.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–171, § 7401(a)(4), added subsec. (e).
2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–133, § 107(d)(1)(A), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to part E of this subchapter.
Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 107–133, § 107(d)(1)(B), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to this part and part E of this subchapter.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 107–133, § 107(a)(1), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “to implement changes deemed necessary as a result of the assessments.”
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 107–133, § 107(a)(2), (b), inserted “and improvement” after “assessment” and substituted “for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006, from the amount reserved pursuant to section 629f(b)(2) of this title (and the amount, if any, reserved pursuant to section 629g(b)(2) of this title), of an amount equal to the sum of $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) of this subsection for the fiscal year.” for “for each of fiscal years 1995 through 2001, from amounts reserved pursuant to section 629(d)(2) of this title, of an amount equal to the sum of—
“(A) for fiscal year 1995, $75,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) for fiscal year 1995; and
“(B) for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2001, $85,000 plus the amount described in paragraph (2) for each of such fiscal years.”
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–133, § 107(d)(2), substituted “section 629f(b)(2) of this title (and the amount, if any, reserved pursuant to section 629g(b)(2) of this title)” for “section 629(d)(2) of this title”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–133, § 107(c), in heading substituted “Federal share” for “Use of grant funds” and in text substituted “to pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006.” for “to pay—
“(1) any or all costs of activities under this section in fiscal year 1995; and
“(2) not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.”
1997—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–89, § 305(a)(3)(A), substituted “2001” for “1998” in introductory provisions and par. (B).
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 105–89, § 305(a)(3)(B), substituted “1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001” for “and 1998”.
Amendment by Pub. L. 118–258 effective
Amendment by section 305(b) of Pub. L. 116–260 effective
Amendment by section 50741(c) of Pub. L. 115–123 effective as if enacted on
Pub. L. 112–34, title I, § 104(e),
Amendment by section 104(a)–(d) of Pub. L. 112–34 effective
Pub. L. 111–242, § 133,
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–288 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–239 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–171 effective as if enacted on
Amendment by Pub. L. 107–133 effective
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–89 effective
Pub. L. 116–260, div. X, § 7(a)–(c), “(a) Of the additional amounts made available by reason of section 6 of this Act [section 6 of div. X of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 629d of this title], the Secretary shall reserve $10,000,000 for grants under subsection (b) of this section for fiscal year 2021, which shall be considered to be made under section 438 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 629h].“(b) “(1) From the amounts reserved under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall—“(A) reserve not more than $500,000 for Tribal court improvement activities; and“(B) from the amount remaining after the application of subparagraph (A), make a grant to each highest State court that is approved to receive a grant under section 438 of the Social Security Act for the purpose described in section 438(a)(3) of such Act, for fiscal year 2021.“(2) The amount of the grant awarded to a highest State court under this subsection shall be the sum of—“(A) $85,000; and“(B) the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount reserved under subsection (a) that remains after the application of paragraph (1)(A) and subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, as the number of individuals in the State in which the court is located who have not attained 21 years of age bears to the total number of such individuals in all States the highest courts of which were awarded a grant under this subsection (based on the most recent year for which data are available from the Bureau of the Census).“(3) “(A) The grants awarded to the highest State courts under this subsection shall be in addition to any grants made to the courts under section 438 of the Social Security Act for any fiscal year.“(B) The Secretary shall award grants to the highest State courts under this subsection without requiring the courts to submit an additional application.“(C) The Secretary may establish reporting criteria specific to the grants awarded under this subsection.“(D) If a highest State court does not accept a grant awarded under this subsection, or does not agree to comply with any reporting requirements imposed under subparagraph (C) or the use of funds requirements specified in subsection (c), the Secretary shall redistribute the grant funds that would have been awarded to that court under this subsection among the other highest State courts that are awarded grants under this subsection and agree to comply with the reporting and use of funds requirements.“(E) The limitation on the use of funds specified in section 438(d) of such Act shall not apply to the grants awarded under this section.“(c) A highest State court awarded a grant under subsection (b) shall use the grant funds to address needs stemming from the COVID–19 public health emergency, which may include any of the following:“(1) Technology investments to facilitate the transition to remote hearings for dependency courts when necessary as a direct result of the COVID–19 public health emergency.“(2) Training for judges, attorneys, and caseworkers on facilitating and participating in remote hearings that comply with due process and all applicable law, ensure child safety and well-being, and help inform judicial decision-making.“(3) Programs to help families address aspects of the case plan to avoid delays in legal proceedings that would occur as a direct result of the COVID–19 public health emergency.“(4) Other purposes to assist courts, court personnel, or related staff related to the COVID–19 public health emergency.”
[For definitions of “COVID–19 public health emergency” and “Secretary” as used in section 7(a)–(c) of div. X of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 2 of div. X of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note below.]
Pub. L. 116–260, div. X, § 2, “(1) The term ‘COVID–19 public health emergency’ means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247d], entitled ‘Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists Nationwide as the Result of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus’.“(2) The term ‘COVID–19 public health emergency period’ means the period beginning on “(3) The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.”