H.R. 2866: Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act

115th Congress · Sponsored from Pennsylvania · In committee

What this bill does

Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify reputable model standards for the licensing of foster family homes. Part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act is amended to require state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to require submission to HHS of information addressing: whether the state licensing standards are in accord with HHS-identified model standards, and if not, the reason for the specific deviation and a description of why having a standard that is reasonably in accord with the corresponding national model standards is not appropriate for the state; whether the state has elected to waive certain standards for relative foster family homes, a description of standards most commonly waived, and if the state has not so elected, the reason why; if the state has elected to waive such standards, how caseworkers are trained to use the waiver authority and whether the state has developed a process or offered tools to assist caseworkers in waiving nonsafety standards to quickly place children with relatives; and a description of the steps the state is taking to improve caseworker training or the process, if any.

Key facts

• Status In committee
• Introduced 2017-06-08
• Policy area Families
• Cosponsors 7
• Latest action Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsor

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16]

Lead sponsor · Pennsylvania

R

Who funds the sponsor?

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16] introduced H.R. 2866. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with H.R. 2866? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →