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HR 8443 116th Congress House

Cottage Homes to Improve Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act

Official title: To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to provide for the placement of a foster child in a cottage home, and to make a child … Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to provide for the placement of a foster child in a cottage home, and to make a child so placed eligible for foster care maintenance payments.

Introduced: December 9, 2020 Introduced by: Dunn, Neal P. Republican · Florida See on congress.gov
Families Adoption and foster careChild safety and welfareFamily servicesPoverty and welfare assistanceState and local government operations
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 30, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Sep 30, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 30, 2020

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Cottages Homes and Improved Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act

This bill requires states to consider foster family homes or cottage homes to be the least restrictive setting for children who have attained six years of age and have been removed from their homes, if suitable relatives or other designated caregivers are not available. A cottage home is a residential operation

  • in which not more than 12 children reside;
  • that implements a trauma-informed care plan for its residents;
  • that involves family members of a child in the plan of service for the child, and maintains contact with the family of the child, if available and if the involvement supports the well-being of the child; and
  • that is licensed by the state where it is located.

The bill makes cottage homes eligible for foster care maintenance payments.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 4839 Related bill Caring Homes and Improved Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 1
R
Rutherford, John H.
Florida · Dec 9, 2020
HASTINGS, ALCEE
· Sep 30, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8443: Cottage Homes to Improve Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8443/
MLA
"H.R. 8443: Cottage Homes to Improve Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8443/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8443, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8443/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8443: Cottage Homes to Improve Lives for Dependents (CHILD) Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8443/)
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