HR 3403 118th Congress House Native Americans

Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023

Introduced: May 17, 2023 Introduced by: Bacon, Don Republican · Nebraska See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Dec 17, 2024

Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.

May 17, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

May 17, 2023

Introduced in House

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2023

This bill establishes requirements related to state compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA). The ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of these children in foster or adoptive homes.

Specifically, the bill requires a state plan for child welfare services and a state plan related to the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program to ensure that the agency administering or supervising the plan (e.g., a child welfare agency) shall comply with all federal standards established under the ICWA.

Further, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of the Interior must, in consultation with Indian tribal organizations and states, develop a memorandum of understanding that specifies the factors for measuring compliance with the ICWA. These factors must include requirements sufficient to assess state strengths and areas for improvement in implementing the ICWA (e.g., timely tribal notice of state child custody proceedings).

Additionally, the bill directs HHS to submit biennial reports to Congress on certain reviews of child and family service programs.

What's happening now December 17, 2024

Referred to the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare.

Committees of jurisdiction 2