Technical corrections only. The diff reflects the bill's procedural movement from the House to the Senate, updating the legislative status and attestation information. No substantive policy changes were made between v2 and v3.
Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]
- Committees
- Ways and Means Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 5, 2025
Bottom line
This bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of state child welfare systems in recruiting and retaining foster and adoptive families by mandating data-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and transparent reporting.
What it actually does
This bill amends parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act to require states to develop and implement "family partnership plans" aimed at improving foster and adoptive parent recruitment and retention. It mandates specific data collection, reporting, and consultation with various stakeholders, including birth, kinship, foster, and adoptive families, community providers, and youth with lived experience. The bill also expands the annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress to include state-by-state data on foster and adoptive families.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill will lead to better outcomes for children in foster care by ensuring states have robust, data-informed strategies for finding stable and supportive families. They believe that by requiring states to consult with families and youth, and to report on challenges, the system will become more responsive to real-world needs, reducing congregate care placements and increasing permanency.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that the bill imposes additional unfunded mandates on states, increasing administrative burdens without providing sufficient federal funding to support the new planning, data collection, and reporting requirements. They may also contend that while the goals are laudable, the prescriptive nature of the federal mandate could limit state flexibility in addressing unique local challenges in child welfare.
The bill is concise and can be read and understood quickly, allowing ample time for stakeholders to evaluate its implications.
Section 2(a)(1), amending Section 422(b)(7) of the Social Security Act
Requirement for State Family Partnership Plans
This provision amends current law to require states, as part of their child welfare services plan, to develop and implement a "family partnership plan." This plan must outline how the state will identify, recruit, screen, license, support, and retain foster and adoptive families, using data to inform these efforts.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this mandate ensures states proactively address the critical need for stable family placements, moving beyond reactive measures to a strategic, data-driven approach.
Critics contend
Some might argue this adds another layer of federal bureaucracy and reporting requirements to already strained state agencies, potentially diverting resources from direct services.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the need for federal oversight and improved outcomes with state autonomy and resource allocation.
Section 2(a)(2), adding new Subsection 422(d) to the Social Security Act
Specific Components of Family Partnership Plans
This section details what each state's family partnership plan must include. Key elements are consultation with diverse stakeholders (birth, kinship, foster, adoptive families, youth), strategies for identifying relatives, child-specific recruitment, youth engagement, data utilization for setting goals and measuring progress, and establishing foster family advisory boards. It also mandates annual data collection on foster family capacity, congregate care use, feedback from families/youth, and analysis of racial/ethnic recruitment barriers.
Section 3, amending Section 479A(a) of the Social Security Act
Expanded Annual Child Welfare Outcomes Report
This provision requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to include new, detailed information in the annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress, starting in fiscal year 2025. This includes state-by-state data on the number, demographics, and characteristics of foster and adoptive families, reasons for underutilization, a summary of challenges reported by parents, and states' efforts to recruit racially and ethnically diverse families.
Specifies that the amendments take effect on October 1, 2026, but allows for a delay if a state requires legislative action (other than appropriations) to comply. This delay extends until the first day of the first calendar quarter after the close of the first regular legislative session following enactment, with special consideration for states with 2-year legislative sessions.
Section 2(b)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to provide states with adequate time to implement new federal mandates, especially those requiring state legislative changes. It is a practical consideration rather than an evasive tactic.
Case for: This provision ensures states have a reasonable timeframe to adapt their laws and administrative processes, preventing immediate non-compliance and potential disruption of services, thereby facilitating smoother implementation.
Case against: It could be argued that a longer implementation period delays the benefits intended by the bill for children and families, especially if states are slow to act, thus prolonging the current challenges in foster and adoptive care.
Estimated impact: Affects the timeline of implementation for all states, potentially delaying full compliance by several years for some states depending on their legislative cycles.