What changed between these versions
A small clarification. The effective date for State plan amendments under Section 2(b)(1) has been delayed by one year, from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027. Additionally, the fiscal year for the inclusion of new data in the annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress under Section 3(8) has been shifted from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2028.
Overview
A handful of changes across two sections. · v2 clarifies and adjusts the implementation timelines for the requirements introduced in v1.
The primary changes in v2 involve adjusting the timelines for the implementation of the bill's provisions. The effective date for State plan amendments has been postponed by one year, and the requirement for including new data in the annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress has been delayed by three fiscal years. No other substantive policy changes were made.
Modifications
States will have an additional year to implement the required family partnership plan and related amendments to their State plans under the Social Security Act.
Before
The general effective date for the State plan amendment was October 1, 2026.
After
The general effective date for the State plan amendment is October 1, 2027.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services will have an additional three fiscal years before being required to include State-by-State data and summaries of challenges related to foster and adoptive families in the annual report to Congress.
Before
The annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress was required to include new data on foster and adoptive families starting from fiscal year 2025.
After
The annual child welfare outcomes report to Congress is required to include new data on foster and adoptive families starting from fiscal year 2028.