§ 629h. Entitlement funding for State courts to assess and improve handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption

(a) In general The Secretary shall make grants, in accordance with this section, to the highest State courts in States participating in the program under part E of this subchapter, for the purpose of enabling such courts—

(1) to conduct assessments, in accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall publish, of the role, responsibilities, and effectiveness of State courts in carrying out State laws requiring proceedings (conducted by or under the supervision of the courts)—

(A) that implement this part and part E of this subchapter;

(B) that determine the advisability or appropriateness of foster care placement;

(C) that determine whether to terminate parental rights;

(D) that determine whether to approve the adoption or other permanent placement of a child; a court responsible for proceedings related to foster care or adoption.

(B) Discretionary funds

The Secretary shall allocate all of the amounts reserved under section 629g(b)(2) of this title for grants for the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a).

(d) Federal share

Each highest State court which receives funds paid under this section may use such funds to pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of activities under this section in each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016.

(e) Funding for grants for improved data collection and training 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).

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 438, formerly Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13712, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 655, as amended Pub. L. 105–89, title III, § 305(a)(3), Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2130; renumbered § 438 of act Aug. 14, 1935, and amended Pub. L. 107–133, title I, § 107, Jan. 17, 2002, 115 Stat. 2418; Pub. L. 109–171, title VII, § 7401(a), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 148; Pub. L. 109–239, §§ 8(b), 9, July 3, 2006, 120 Stat. 513; Pub. L. 109–288, § 9, Sept. 28, 2006, 120 Stat. 1255; Pub. L. 111–242, § 133(2), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2613; Pub. L. 112–34, title I, § 104, Sept. 30, 2011, 125 Stat. 374.)

References In Text

References in Text

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 105–89, Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2115. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1997 Amendment note set out under section 1305 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Codification

Section was formerly set out as a note under section 670 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 107–133.

Prior Provisions

Prior Provisions

A prior section 438 of act Aug. 14, 1935, was classified to section 638 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–485.

Amendments

Amendments

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”.

Effective Date Of Amendment

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–34, title I, § 104(e), Sept. 30, 2011, 125 Stat. 376, provided that the amendment by section 104(e) of Pub. L. 112–34 is effective as if included in the enactment of Pub. L. 109–239.

Amendment by section 104(a)–(d) of Pub. L. 112–34 effective Oct. 1, 2011, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, and with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 107 of Pub. L. 112–34, set out as a note under section 622 of this title.

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–242, § 133, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2613, provided that the amendment made by section 133 is effective Oct. 1, 2010.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–288 effective Oct. 1, 2006, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, and with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 12(a), (b) of Pub. L. 109–288, set out as a note under section 621 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–239 effective Oct. 1, 2006, and applicable to payments under this part and part E of this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after such date, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, and with delay permitted if State legislation is required to meet additional requirements, see section 14 of Pub. L. 109–239, set out as a note under section 622 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–171 effective as if enacted on Oct. 1, 2005, except as otherwise provided, see section 7701 of Pub. L. 109–171, set out as a note under section 603 of this title.

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–133 effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of Pub. L. 107–133, set out as a note under section 629 of this title.

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–89 effective Nov. 19, 1997, except as otherwise provided, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–89, set out as a note under section 622 of this title.