TITLE 42 - US CODE - CHAPTER 67 - CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT AND ADOPTION REFORM

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER I - GENERAL PROGRAM

42 USC 5101 - Office on Child Abuse and Neglect

(a) Establishment 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may establish an office to be known as the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect.
(b) Purpose 
The purpose of the Office established under subsection (a) of this section shall be to execute and coordinate the functions and activities of this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter. In the event that such functions and activities are performed by another entity or entities within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Secretary shall ensure that such functions and activities are executed with the necessary expertise and in a fully coordinated manner involving regular intradepartmental and interdepartmental consultation with all agencies involved in child abuse and neglect activities.

42 USC 5102 - Advisory board on child abuse and neglect

(a) Appointment 
The Secretary may appoint an advisory board to make recommendations to the Secretary and to the appropriate committees of Congress concerning specific issues relating to child abuse and neglect.
(b) Solicitation of nominations 
The Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting nominations for the appointment of members of the advisory board under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Composition 
In establishing the board under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall appoint members from the general public who are individuals knowledgeable in child abuse and neglect prevention, intervention, treatment, or research, and with due consideration to representation of ethnic or racial minorities and diverse geographic areas, and who represent
(1) law (including the judiciary);
(2) psychology (including child development);
(3) social services (including child protective services);
(4) medicine (including pediatrics);
(5) State and local government;
(6) organizations providing services to disabled persons;
(7) organizations providing services to adolescents;
(8) teachers;
(9) parent self-help organizations;
(10) parents groups;
(11) voluntary groups;
(12) family rights groups; and
(13) childrens rights advocates.
(d) Vacancies 
Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(e) Election of officers 
The board shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson at its first meeting from among the members of the board.
(f) Duties 
Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the board under subsection (a) of this section, the board shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report, or interim report, containing
(1) recommendations on coordinating Federal, State, and local child abuse and neglect activities with similar activities at the Federal, State, and local level pertaining to family violence prevention;
(2) specific modifications needed in Federal and State laws and programs to reduce the number of unfounded or unsubstantiated reports of child abuse or neglect while enhancing the ability to identify and substantiate legitimate cases of abuse or neglect which place a child in danger; and
(3) recommendations for modifications needed to facilitate coordinated national data collection with respect to child protection and child welfare.

42 USC 5103 - Repealed. Pub. L. 104235, title I, 103, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3066

Section, Pub. L. 93–247, title I, § 103, formerly 4, Jan. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 5; Pub. L. 93–644, § 8(d)(2), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2310; Pub. L. 95–266, title I, § 103, Apr. 24, 1978, 92 Stat. 206; Pub. L. 98–457, title I, §§ 103, 122, 123, Oct. 9, 1984, 98 Stat. 1750, 1752, 1753; Pub. L. 99–401, title I, § 102(a), Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 100–117, § 1, Sept. 28, 1987, 101 Stat. 751; Pub. L. 100–294, title I, § 101, Apr. 25, 1988, 102 Stat. 105; renumbered title I, 103, Pub. L. 101–126, § 3(a)(1), (2), Oct. 25, 1989, 103 Stat. 764, related to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.

42 USC 5104 - National clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse

(a) Establishment 
The Secretary shall through the Department, or by one or more contracts of not less than 3 years duration let through a competition, establish a national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse.
(b) Functions 
The Secretary shall, through the clearinghouse established by subsection (a) of this section
(1) maintain, coordinate, and disseminate information on all effective programs, including private and community-based programs, that show promise of success with respect to the prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect and hold the potential for broad scale implementation and replication;
(2) maintain information about the best practices used for achieving improvements in child protective systems;
(3) maintain and disseminate information relating to
(A) the incidence of cases of child abuse and neglect in the United States;
(B) the incidence of such cases in populations determined by the Secretary under section 105(a)(1) of the Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1988; and
(C) the incidence of any such cases related to alcohol or drug abuse;
(4) provide technical assistance upon request that may include an evaluation or identification of
(A) various methods and procedures for the investigation, assessment, and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases;
(B) ways to mitigate psychological trauma to the child victim; and
(C) effective programs carried out by the States under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter; and
(5) collect and disseminate information relating to various training resources available at the State and local level to
(A) individuals who are engaged, or who intend to engage, in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and
(B) appropriate State and local officials to assist in training law enforcement, legal, judicial, medical, mental health, education, and child welfare personnel.
(c) Coordination with available resources 

(1) In general 
In establishing a national clearinghouse as required by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall
(A) consult with other Federal agencies that operate similar clearinghouses;
(B) consult with the head of each agency involved with child abuse and neglect and mechanisms for the sharing of such information among other Federal agencies and clearinghouses on the development of the components for information collection and management of such clearinghouse;
(C) develop a Federal data system involving the elements under subsection (b) of this section which, to the extent practicable, coordinates existing Federal, State, regional, and local child welfare data systems which shall include
(i) standardized data on false, unfounded, unsubstantiated, and substantiated reports; and
(ii) information on the number of deaths due to child abuse and neglect;
(D) through a national data collection and analysis program and in consultation with appropriate State and local agencies and experts in the field, collect, compile, and make available State child abuse and neglect reporting information which, to the extent practical, shall be universal and case specific and integrated with other case-based foster care and adoption data collected by the Secretary;
(E) compile, analyze, and publish a summary of the research conducted under section 5105 (a) of this title;
(F) collect and disseminate information that describes best practices being used throughout the Nation for making appropriate referrals related to, and addressing, the physical, developmental, and mental health needs of abused and neglected children; and
(G) solicit public comment on the components of such clearinghouse.
(2) Confidentiality requirement 
In carrying out paragraph (1)(D), the Secretary shall ensure that methods are established and implemented to preserve the confidentiality of records relating to case specific data.

42 USC 5105 - Research and assistance activities

(a) Research 

(1) Topics 
The Secretary shall, in consultation with other Federal agencies and recognized experts in the field, carry out a continuing interdisciplinary program of research, including longitudinal research, that is designed to provide information needed to better protect children from abuse or neglect and to improve the well-being of abused or neglected children, with at least a portion of such research being field initiated. Such research program may focus on
(A) the nature and scope of child abuse and neglect;
(B) causes, prevention, assessment, identification, treatment, cultural and socio-economic distinctions, and the consequences of child abuse and neglect, including the effects of abuse and neglect on a childs development and the identification of successful early intervention services or other services that are needed;
(C) appropriate, effective and culturally sensitive investigative, administrative, and judicial systems, including multidisciplinary, coordinated decisionmaking procedures with respect to cases of child abuse;
(D) the evaluation and dissemination of best practices consistent with the goals of achieving improvements in the child protective services systems of the States in accordance with paragraphs (1) through (12) of section 5106a (a) of this title;
(E) effective approaches to interagency collaboration between the child protection system and the juvenile justice system that improve the delivery of services and treatment, including methods for continuity of treatment plan and services as children transition between systems;
(F) an evaluation of the redundancies and gaps in the services in the field of child abuse and neglect prevention in order to make better use of resources;
(G) the nature, scope, and practice of voluntary relinquishment for foster care or State guardianship of low income children who need health services, including mental health services;
(H) the information on the national incidence of child abuse and neglect specified in clauses (i) through (xi) of subparagraph (H);[1] and
(I) the national incidence of child abuse and neglect, including
(i) the extent to which incidents of child abuse are increasing or decreasing in number and severity;
(ii) the incidence of substantiated and unsubstantiated reported child abuse cases;
(iii) the number of substantiated cases that result in a judicial finding of child abuse or neglect or related criminal court convictions;
(iv) the extent to which the number of unsubstantiated, unfounded and false reported cases of child abuse or neglect have contributed to the inability of a State to respond effectively to serious cases of child abuse or neglect;
(v) the extent to which the lack of adequate resources and the lack of adequate training of individuals required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse have contributed to the inability of a State to respond effectively to serious cases of child abuse and neglect;
(vi) the number of unsubstantiated, false, or unfounded reports that have resulted in a child being placed in substitute care, and the duration of such placement;
(vii) the extent to which unsubstantiated reports return as more serious cases of child abuse or neglect;
(viii) the incidence and prevalence of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and physical and emotional neglect in substitute care;
(ix) the incidence and prevalence of child maltreatment by a wide array of demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race, family structure, household relationship (including the living arrangement of the resident parent and family size), school enrollment and education attainment, disability, grandparents as caregivers, labor force status, work status in previous year, and income in previous year; and
(x) the incidence and outcomes of abuse allegations reported within the context of divorce, custody, or other family court proceedings, and the interaction between this venue and the child protective services system.
(2) Research 
The Secretary shall conduct research on the national incidence of child abuse and neglect, including the information on the national incidence on child abuse and neglect specified in subparagraphs (i) through (ix) of paragraph (1)(I).
(3) Report 
Not later than 4 years after June 25, 2003, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate a report that contains the results of the research conducted under paragraph (2).
(4) Priorities 

(A) The Secretary shall establish research priorities for making grants or contracts for purposes of carrying out paragraph (1).
(B) Not later than 2 years after June 25, 2003, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public comment concerning the priorities proposed under subparagraph (A) and maintain an official record of such public comment.
(b) Provision of technical assistance 

(1) In general 
The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to State and local public and private agencies and community-based organizations, including disability organizations and persons who work with children with disabilities, to assist such agencies and organizations in planning, improving, developing, and carrying out programs and activities, including replicating successful program models, relating to the prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
(2) Evaluation 
Such technical assistance may include an evaluation or identification of
(A) various methods and procedures for the investigation, assessment, and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases;
(B) ways to mitigate psychological trauma to the child victim;
(C) effective programs carried out by the States under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter; and
(D) effective approaches being utilized to link child protective service agencies with health care, mental health care, and developmental services to improve forensic diagnosis and health evaluations, and barriers and shortages to such linkages.
(3) Dissemination 
The Secretary may provide for and disseminate information relating to various training resources available at the State and local level to
(A) individuals who are engaged, or who intend to engage, in the prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect; and
(B) appropriate State and local officials to assist in training law enforcement, legal, judicial, medical, mental health, education, and child welfare personnel in appropriate methods of interacting during investigative, administrative, and judicial proceedings with children who have been subjected to abuse.
(c) Authority to make grants or enter into contracts 

(1) In general 
The functions of the Secretary under this section may be carried out either directly or through grant or contract.
(2) Duration 
Grants under this section shall be made for periods of not more than 5 years.
(3) Preference for long-term studies 
In making grants for purposes of conducting research under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications for long-term projects.
(d) Peer review for grants 

(1) Establishment of peer review process 

(A) The Secretary shall, in consultation with experts in the field and other federal[2] agencies, establish a formal, rigorous, and meritorious peer review process for purposes of evaluating and reviewing applications for grants under this section and determining the relative merits of the projects for which such assistance is requested. The purpose of this process is to enhance the quality and usefulness of research in the field of child abuse and neglect.
(B) In establishing the process required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall appoint to the peer review panels only members who are experts in the field of child abuse and neglect or related disciplines, with appropriate expertise in the application to be reviewed, and who are not individuals who are officers or employees of the Administration on Children and Families. The panels shall meet as often as is necessary to facilitate the expeditious review of applications for grants and contracts under this section, but may not meet less than once a year. The Secretary shall ensure that the peer review panel utilizes scientifically valid review criteria and scoring guidelines for review committees.
(2) Review of applications for assistance 
Each peer review panel established under paragraph (1)(A) that reviews any application for a grant shall
(A) determine and evaluate the merit of each project described in such application;
(B) rank such application with respect to all other applications it reviews in the same priority area for the fiscal year involved, according to the relative merit of all of the projects that are described in such application and for which financial assistance is requested; and
(C) make recommendations to the Secretary concerning whether the application for the project shall be approved.

The Secretary shall award grants under this section on the basis of competitive review.

(3) Notice of approval 

(A) The Secretary shall provide grants and contracts under this section from among the projects which the peer review panels established under paragraph (1)(A) have determined to have merit.
(B) In the instance in which the Secretary approves an application for a program without having approved all applications ranked above such application (as determined under paragraph (2)(B)), the Secretary shall append to the approved application a detailed explanation of the reasons relied on for approving the application and for failing to approve each pending application that is superior in merit, as indicated on the list under paragraph (2)(B).
(e) Demonstration programs and projects 
The Secretary may award grants to, and enter into contracts with, States or public or private agencies or organizations (or combinations of such agencies or organizations) for time-limited, demonstration projects for the following:
(1) Promotion of safe, family-friendly physical environments for visitation and exchange 
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities to assist such entities in establishing and operating safe, family-friendly physical environments
(A) for court-ordered, supervised visitation between children and abusing parents; and
(B) to safely facilitate the exchange of children for visits with noncustodial parents in cases of domestic violence.
(2) Education identification, prevention, and treatment 
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities for projects that provide educational identification, prevention, and treatment services in cooperation with preschool and elementary and secondary schools.
(3) Risk and safety assessment tools 
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities for projects that provide for the development of research-based strategies for risk and safety assessments relating to child abuse and neglect.
(4) Training 
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to entities for projects that involve research-based strategies for innovative training for mandated child abuse and neglect reporters.
[1] So in original. Probably should refer to clauses (i) through (x) of subparagraph (I).
[2] So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

42 USC 5106 - Grants to States and public or private agencies and organizations

(a) Grants for programs and projects 
The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts with, States, public agencies or private agencies or organizations (or combinations of such agencies or organizations) for programs and projects for the following purposes:
(1) Training programs 
The Secretary may award grants to public or private organizations under this section
(A) for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel in the fields of medicine, law enforcement, judiciary, social work and child protection, education, and other relevant fields, or individuals such as court appointed special advocates (CASAs) and guardian ad litem, who are engaged in, or intend to work in, the field of prevention, identification, and treatment of child abuse and neglect, including the links between domestic violence and child abuse;
(B) to improve the recruitment, selection, and training of volunteers serving in public and private children, youth and family service organizations in order to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(C) for the establishment of resource centers for the purpose of providing information and training to professionals working in the field of child abuse and neglect;
(D) for training to support the enhancement of linkages between child protective service agencies and health care agencies, including physical and mental health services, to improve forensic diagnosis and health evaluations and for innovative partnerships between child protective service agencies and health care agencies that offer creative approaches to using existing Federal, State, local, and private funding to meet the health evaluation needs of children who have been subjects of substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect;
(E) for the training of personnel in best practices to promote collaboration with the families from the initial time of contact during the investigation through treatment;
(F) for the training of personnel regarding the legal duties of such personnel and their responsibilities to protect the legal rights of children and families;
(G) for improving the training of supervisory and nonsupervisory child welfare workers;
(H) for enabling State child welfare agencies to coordinate the provision of services with State and local health care agencies, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment agencies, mental health agencies, and other public and private welfare agencies to promote child safety, permanence, and family stability;
(I) for cross training for child protective service workers in research-based strategies for recognizing situations of substance abuse, domestic violence, and neglect; and
(J) for developing, implementing, or operating information and education programs or training programs designed to improve the provision of services to disabled infants with life-threatening conditions for
(i) professionals and paraprofessional personnel concerned with the welfare of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including personnel employed in child protective services programs and health care facilities; and
(ii) the parents of such infants.
(2) Triage procedures 
The Secretary may award grants under this subsection to public and private agencies that demonstrate innovation in responding to reports of child abuse and neglect, including programs of collaborative partnerships between the State child protective services agency, community social service agencies and family support programs, law enforcement agencies, developmental disability agencies, substance abuse treatment entities, health care entities, domestic violence prevention entities, mental health service entities, schools, churches and synagogues, and other community agencies, to allow for the establishment of a triage system that
(A) accepts, screens, and assesses reports received to determine which such reports require an intensive intervention and which require voluntary referral to another agency, program, or project;
(B) provides, either directly or through referral, a variety of community-linked services to assist families in preventing child abuse and neglect; and
(C) provides further investigation and intensive intervention where the childs safety is in jeopardy.
(3) Mutual support programs 
The Secretary may award grants to private organizations to establish or maintain a national network of mutual support and self-help programs as a means of strengthening families in partnership with their communities.
(4) Kinship care 

(A)  1 In general 
The Secretary may award grants to public and private entities in not more than 10 States to assist such entities in developing or implementing procedures using adult relatives as the preferred placement for children removed from their home, where such relatives are determined to be capable of providing a safe nurturing environment for the child and where such relatives comply with the State child protection standards.
(5) Linkages between child protective service agencies and public health, mental health, and developmental disabilities agencies 
The Secretary may award grants to entities that provide linkages between State or local child protective service agencies and public health, mental health, and developmental disabilities agencies, for the purpose of establishing linkages that are designed to help assure that a greater number of substantiated victims of child maltreatment have their physical health, mental health, and developmental needs appropriately diagnosed and treated, in accordance with all applicable Federal and State privacy laws.
(b) Discretionary grants 
In addition to grants or contracts made under subsection (a) of this section, grants or contracts under this section may be used for the following:
(1) Respite and crisis nursery programs provided by community-based organizations under the direction and supervision of hospitals.
(2) Respite and crisis nursery programs provided by community-based organizations.
(3) Programs based within childrens hospitals or other pediatric and adolescent care facilities, that provide model approaches for improving medical diagnosis of child abuse and neglect and for health evaluations of children for whom a report of maltreatment has been substantiated.
(4) 
(A) Providing hospital-based information and referral services to
(i) parents of children with disabilities; and
(ii) children who have been neglected or abused and their parents.
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C)(iii), services provided under a grant received under this paragraph shall be provided at the hospital involved
(i) upon the birth or admission of a child with disabilities; and
(ii) upon the treatment of a child for abuse or neglect.
(C) Services, as determined as appropriate by the grantee, provided under a grant received under this paragraph shall be hospital-based and shall consist of
(i) the provision of notice to parents that information relating to community services is available;
(ii) the provision of appropriate information to parents of a child with disabilities regarding resources in the community, particularly parent training resources, that will assist such parents in caring for their child;
(iii) the provision of appropriate information to parents of a child who has been neglected or abused regarding resources in the community, particularly parent training resources, that will assist such parents in caring for their child and reduce the possibility of abuse or neglect;
(iv) the provision of appropriate follow-up services to parents of a child described in subparagraph (B) after the child has left the hospital; and
(v) where necessary, assistance in coordination of community services available to parents of children described in subparagraph (B).

The grantee shall assure that parental involvement described in this subparagraph is voluntary.

(D) For purposes of this paragraph, a qualified grantee is a[2] acute care hospital that
(i) is in a combination with
(I) a health-care provider organization;
(II) a child welfare organization;
(III) a disability organization; and
(IV) a State child protection agency;
(ii) submits an application for a grant under this paragraph that is approved by the Secretary;
(iii) maintains an office in the hospital involved for purposes of providing services under such grant;
(iv) provides assurances to the Secretary that in the conduct of the project the confidentiality of medical, social, and personal information concerning any person described in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be maintained, and shall be disclosed only to qualified persons providing required services described in subparagraph (C) for purposes relating to conduct of the project; and
(v) assumes legal responsibility for carrying out the terms and conditions of the grant.
(E) In awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
(i) give priority under this section for two grants under this paragraph, provided that one grant shall be made to provide services in an urban setting and one grant shall be made to provide services in rural setting; and
(ii) encourage qualified grantees to combine the amounts received under the grant with other funds available to such grantees.
(5) Such other innovative programs and projects that show promise of preventing and treating cases of child abuse and neglect as the Secretary may approve.
(c) Evaluation 
In making grants for projects under this section, the Secretary shall require all such projects to be evaluated for their effectiveness. Funding for such evaluations shall be provided either as a stated percentage of a demonstration grant or as a separate grant or contract entered into by the Secretary for the purpose of evaluating a particular demonstration project or group of projects. In the case of an evaluation performed by the recipient of a grant, the Secretary shall make available technical assistance for the evaluation, where needed, including the use of a rigorous application of scientific evaluation techniques.
[1] So in original. There is no subpar. (B).
[2] So in original. Probably should be “an”.

42 USC 5106a - Grants to States for child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs

(a) Development and operation grants 
The Secretary shall make grants to the States, based on the population of children under the age of 18 in each State that applies for a grant under this section, for purposes of assisting the States in improving the child protective services system of each such State in
(1) the intake, assessment, screening, and investigation of reports of abuse and neglect;
(2) 
(A) creating and improving the use of multidisciplinary teams and interagency protocols to enhance investigations; and
(B) improving legal preparation and representation, including
(i) procedures for appealing and responding to appeals of substantiated reports of abuse and neglect; and
(ii) provisions for the appointment of an individual appointed to represent a child in judicial proceedings;
(3) case management, including ongoing case monitoring, and delivery of services and treatment provided to children and their families;
(4) enhancing the general child protective system by developing, improving, and implementing risk and safety assessment tools and protocols;
(5) developing and updating systems of technology that support the program and track reports of child abuse and neglect from intake through final disposition and allow interstate and intrastate information exchange;
(6) developing, strengthening, and facilitating training including
(A) training regarding research-based strategies to promote collaboration with the families;
(B) training regarding the legal duties of such individuals; and
(C) personal safety training for case workers;;[1]
(7) improving the skills, qualifications, and availability of individuals providing services to children and families, and the supervisors of such individuals, through the child protection system, including improvements in the recruitment and retention of caseworkers;
(8) developing and facilitating training protocols for individuals mandated to report child abuse or neglect;
(9) developing and facilitating research-based strategies for training for individuals mandated to report child abuse or neglect;
(10) developing, implementing, or operating programs to assist in obtaining or coordinating necessary services for families of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, including
(A) existing social and health services;
(B) financial assistance; and
(C) services necessary to facilitate adoptive placement of any such infants who have been relinquished for adoption;
(11) developing and delivering information to improve public education relating to the role and responsibilities of the child protection system and the nature and basis for reporting suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect;
(12) developing and enhancing the capacity of community-based programs to integrate shared leadership strategies between parents and professionals to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect at the neighborhood level;
(13) supporting and enhancing interagency collaboration between the child protection system and the juvenile justice system for improved delivery of services and treatment, including methods for continuity of treatment plan and services as children transition between systems; or
(14) supporting and enhancing collaboration among public health agencies, the child protection system, and private community-based programs to provide child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment services (including linkages with education systems) and to address the health needs, including mental health needs, of children identified as abused or neglected, including supporting prompt, comprehensive health and developmental evaluations for children who are the subject of substantiated child maltreatment reports.
(b) Eligibility requirements 

(1) State plan 

(A) In general 
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall, at the time of the initial grant application and every 5 years thereafter, prepare and submit to the Secretary a State plan that specifies the areas of the child protective services system described in subsection (a) of this section that the State intends to address with amounts received under the grant.
(B) Additional requirement 
After the submission of the initial grant application under subparagraph (A), the State shall provide notice to the Secretary
(i) of any substantive changes; and to any State law relating to the prevention of child abuse and neglect that may affect the eligibility of the State under this section; and
(ii) any significant changes to how funds provided under this section are used to support the activities which may differ from the activities as described in the current State application.
(2) Coordination 
A State plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be coordinated with the State plan under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 620 et seq.] relating to child welfare services and family preservation and family support services, and shall contain an outline of the activities that the State intends to carry out using amounts received under the grant to achieve the purposes of this subchapter, including
(A) an assurance in the form of a certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has in effect and is enforcing a State law, or has in effect and is operating a Statewide program, relating to child abuse and neglect that includes
(i) provisions or procedures for the reporting of known and suspected instances of child abuse and neglect;
(ii) policies and procedures (including appropriate referrals to child protection service systems and for other appropriate services) to address the needs of infants born and identified as being affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure, including a requirement that health care providers involved in the delivery or care of such infants notify the child protective services system of the occurrence of such condition in such infants, except that such notification shall not be construed to
(I) establish a definition under Federal law of what constitutes child abuse; or
(II) require prosecution for any illegal action;
(iii) the development of a plan of safe care for the infant born and identified as being affected by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms;
(iv) procedures for the immediate screening, risk and safety assessment, and prompt investigation of such reports;
(v) triage procedures for the appropriate referral of a child not at risk of imminent harm to a community organization or voluntary preventive service;
(vi) procedures for immediate steps to be taken to ensure and protect the safety of the abused or neglected child and of any other child under the same care who may also be in danger of abuse or neglect and ensuring their placement in a safe environment;
(vii) provisions for immunity from prosecution under State and local laws and regulations for individuals making good faith reports of suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect;
(viii) methods to preserve the confidentiality of all records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the childs parents or guardians, including requirements ensuring that reports and records made and maintained pursuant to the purposes of this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter shall only be made available to
(I) individuals who are the subject of the report;
(II) Federal, State, or local government entities, or any agent of such entities, as described in clause (ix);
(III) child abuse citizen review panels;
(IV) child fatality review panels;
(V) a grand jury or court, upon a finding that information in the record is necessary for the determination of an issue before the court or grand jury; and
(VI) other entities or classes of individuals statutorily authorized by the State to receive such information pursuant to a legitimate State purpose;
(ix) provisions to require a State to disclose confidential information to any Federal, State, or local government entity, or any agent of such entity, that has a need for such information in order to carry out its responsibilities under law to protect children from abuse and neglect;
(x) provisions which allow for public disclosure of the findings or information about the case of child abuse or neglect which has resulted in a child fatality or near fatality;
(xi) the cooperation of State law enforcement officials, court of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate State agencies providing human services in the investigation, assessment, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse or neglect;
(xii) provisions requiring, and procedures in place that facilitate the prompt expungement of any records that are accessible to the general public or are used for purposes of employment or other background checks in cases determined to be unsubstantiated or false, except that nothing in this section shall prevent State child protective services agencies from keeping information on unsubstantiated reports in their casework files to assist in future risk and safety assessment;
(xiii) provisions and procedures requiring that in every case involving an abused or neglected child which results in a judicial proceeding, a guardian ad litem, who has received training appropriate to the role, and who may be an attorney or a court appointed special advocate who has received training appropriate to that role (or both), shall be appointed to represent the child in such proceedings
(I) to obtain first-hand, a clear understanding of the situation and needs of the child; and
(II) to make recommendations to the court concerning the best interests of the child;
(xiv) the establishment of citizen review panels in accordance with subsection (c) of this section;
(xv) provisions, procedures, and mechanisms
(I) for the expedited termination of parental rights in the case of any infant determined to be abandoned under State law; and
(II) by which individuals who disagree with an official finding of abuse or neglect can appeal such finding;
(xvi) provisions, procedures, and mechanisms that assure that the State does not require reunification of a surviving child with a parent who has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction
(I) to have committed murder (which would have been an offense under section 1111 (a) of title 18 if the offense had occurred in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States) of another child of such parent;
(II) to have committed voluntary manslaughter (which would have been an offense under section 1112 (a) of title 18 if the offense had occurred in the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States) of another child of such parent;
(III) to have aided or abetted, attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such murder or voluntary manslaughter; or
(IV) to have committed a felony assault that results in the serious bodily injury to the surviving child or another child of such parent;
(xvii) an assurance that, upon the implementation by the State of the provisions, procedures, and mechanisms under clause (xvi), conviction of any one of the felonies listed in clause (xvi) constitute grounds under State law for the termination of parental rights of the convicted parent as to the surviving children (although case-by-case determinations of whether or not to seek termination of parental rights shall be within the sole discretion of the State);
(xviii) provisions and procedures to require that a representative of the child protective services agency shall, at the initial time of contact with the individual subject to a child abuse and neglect investigation, advise the individual of the complaints or allegations made against the individual, in a manner that is consistent with laws protecting the rights of the informant;
(xix) provisions addressing the training of representatives of the child protective services system regarding the legal duties of the representatives, which may consist of various methods of informing such representatives of such duties, in order to protect the legal rights and safety of children and families from the initial time of contact during investigation through treatment;
(xx) provisions and procedures for improving the training, retention, and supervision of caseworkers;
(xxi) provisions and procedures for referral of a child under the age of 3 who is involved in a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect to early intervention services funded under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.]; and
(xxii) not later than 2 years after June 25, 2003, provisions and procedures for requiring criminal background record checks for prospective foster and adoptive parents and other adult relatives and non-relatives residing in the household;
(B) an assurance that the State has in place procedures for responding to the reporting of medical neglect (including instances of withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life-threatening conditions), procedures or programs, or both (within the State child protective services system), to provide for
(i) coordination and consultation with individuals designated by and within appropriate health-care facilities;
(ii) prompt notification by individuals designated by and within appropriate health-care facilities of cases of suspected medical neglect (including instances of withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life-threatening conditions); and
(iii) authority, under State law, for the State child protective services system to pursue any legal remedies, including the authority to initiate legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, as may be necessary to prevent the withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life threatening[2] conditions;
(C) a description of
(i) the services to be provided under the grant to individuals, families, or communities, either directly or through referrals aimed at preventing the occurrence of child abuse and neglect;
(ii) the training to be provided under the grant to support direct line and supervisory personnel in report taking, screening, assessment, decision making, and referral for investigating suspected instances of child abuse and neglect; and
(iii) the training to be provided under the grant for individuals who are required to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect; and
(D) an assurance or certification that the programs or projects relating to child abuse and neglect carried out under part B of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 620 et seq.] comply with the requirements set forth in paragraph (1) and this paragraph.

Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to limit the States flexibility to determine State policies relating to public access to court proceedings to determine child abuse and neglect, except that such policies shall, at a minimum, ensure the safety and well-being of the child, parents, and families.

(3) Limitation 
With regard to clauses (vi) and (vii) of paragraph (2)(A), nothing in this section shall be construed as restricting the ability of a State to refuse to disclose identifying information concerning the individual initiating a report or complaint alleging suspected instances of child abuse or neglect, except that the State may not refuse such a disclosure where a court orders such disclosure after such court has reviewed, in camera, the record of the State related to the report or complaint and has found it has reason to believe that the reporter knowingly made a false report.
(4) Definitions 
For purposes of this subsection
(A) the term near fatality means an act that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition; and
(B) the term serious bodily injury means bodily injury which involves substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty.
(c) Citizen review panels 

(1) Establishment 

(A) In general 
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each State to which a grant is made under this section shall establish not less than 3 citizen review panels.
(B) Exceptions 

(i) Establishment of panels by States receiving minimum allotment A State that receives the minimum allotment of $175,000 under section 5116b (b)(1)(A) of this title for a fiscal year shall establish not less than 1 citizen review panel.
(ii) Designation of existing entities A State may designate as panels for purposes of this subsection one or more existing entities established under State or Federal law, such as child fatality panels or foster care review panels, if such entities have the capacity to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (4) and the State ensures that such entities will satisfy such requirements.
(2) Membership 
Each panel established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be composed of volunteer members who are broadly representative of the community in which such panel is established, including members who have expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
(3) Meetings 
Each panel established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall meet not less than once every 3 months.
(4) Functions 

(A) In general 
Each panel established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall, by examining the policies, procedures, and practices of State and local agencies and where appropriate, specific cases, evaluate the extent to which State and local child protection system agencies are effectively discharging their child protection responsibilities in accordance with
(i) the State plan under subsection (b) of this section;
(ii) the child protection standards set forth in subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii) any other criteria that the panel considers important to ensure the protection of children, including
(I) a review of the extent to which the State and local child protective services system is coordinated with the foster care and adoption programs established under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.]; and
(II) a review of child fatalities and near fatalities (as defined in subsection (b)(4) of this section).
(B) Confidentiality 

(i) In general The members and staff of a panel established under paragraph (1)
(I) shall not disclose to any person or government official any identifying information about any specific child protection case with respect to which the panel is provided information; and
(II) shall not make public other information unless authorized by State statute.
(ii) Civil sanctions Each State that establishes a panel pursuant to paragraph (1) shall establish civil sanctions for a violation of clause (i).
(C) Public outreach 
Each panel shall provide for public outreach and comment in order to assess the impact of current procedures and practices upon children and families in the community and in order to meet its obligations under subparagraph (A).
(5) State assistance 
Each State that establishes a panel pursuant to paragraph (1)
(A) shall provide the panel access to information on cases that the panel desires to review if such information is necessary for the panel to carry out its functions under paragraph (4); and
(B) shall provide the panel, upon its request, staff assistance for the performance of the duties of the panel.
(6) Reports 
Each panel established under paragraph (1) shall prepare and make available to the State and the public, on an annual basis, a report containing a summary of the activities of the panel and recommendations to improve the child protection services system at the State and local levels. Not later than 6 months after the date on which a report is submitted by the panel to the State, the appropriate State agency shall submit a written response to State and local child protection systems and the citizen review panel that describes whether or how the State will incorporate the recommendations of such panel (where appropriate) to make measurable progress in improving the State and local child protective system.
(d) Annual State data reports 
Each State to which a grant is made under this section shall annually work with the Secretary to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, a report that includes the following:
(1) The number of children who were reported to the State during the year as abused or neglected.
(2) Of the number of children described in paragraph (1), the number with respect to whom such reports were
(A) substantiated;
(B) unsubstantiated; or
(C) determined to be false.
(3) Of the number of children described in paragraph (2)
(A) the number that did not receive services during the year under the State program funded under this section or an equivalent State program;
(B) the number that received services during the year under the State program funded under this section or an equivalent State program; and
(C) the number that were removed from their families during the year by disposition of the case.
(4) The number of families that received preventive services from the State during the year.
(5) The number of deaths in the State during the year resulting from child abuse or neglect.
(6) Of the number of children described in paragraph (5), the number of such children who were in foster care.
(7) The number of child protective services workers responsible for the intake and screening of reports filed in the previous year.
(8) The agency response time with respect to each such report with respect to initial investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect.
(9) The response time with respect to the provision of services to families and children where an allegation of abuse or neglect has been made.
(10) The number of child protective services workers responsible for intake, assessment, and investigation of child abuse and neglect reports relative to the number of reports investigated in the previous year.
(11) The number of children reunited with their families or receiving family preservation services that, within five years, result in subsequent substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect, including the death of the child.
(12) The number of children for whom individuals were appointed by the court to represent the best interests of such children and the average number of out of court contacts between such individuals and children.
(13) The annual report containing the summary of the activities of the citizen review panels of the State required by subsection (c)(6) of this section.
(14) The number of children under the care of the State child protection system who are transferred into the custody of the State juvenile justice system.
(e) Annual report by Secretary 
Within 6 months after receiving the State reports under subsection (d) of this section, the Secretary shall prepare a report based on information provided by the States for the fiscal year under such subsection and shall make the report and such information available to the Congress and the national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse.
[1] So in original.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “life-threatening”.

42 USC 5106a1 - Repealed. Pub. L. 103252, title IV, 401(b)(2), May 18, 1994, 108 Stat. 672

Section, Pub. L. 93–247, title I, § 107A, as added Pub. L. 101–226, § 21, Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1937; amended Pub. L. 102–295, title I, § 115(a), May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 195, related to emergency child abuse prevention services grants.

42 USC 5106b - Repealed. Pub. L. 104235, title I, 108, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3078

Section, Pub. L. 93–247, title I, § 108, formerly 9, as added Pub. L. 100–294, title I, § 101, Apr. 25, 1988, 102 Stat. 113; renumbered title I, 108, and amended Pub. L. 101–126, § 3(a)(1), (2), (b)(4), Oct. 25, 1989, 103 Stat. 764, 765, related to technical assistance to States for child abuse prevention and treatment programs.

42 USC 5106c - Grants to States for programs relating to investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases

(a) Grants to States 
The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, is authorized to make grants to the States for the purpose of assisting States in developing, establishing, and operating programs designed to improve
(1) the handling of child abuse and neglect cases, particularly cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation, in a manner which limits additional trauma to the child victim;
(2) the handling of cases of suspected child abuse or neglect related fatalities;
(3) the investigation and prosecution of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation; and
(4) the handling of cases involving children with disabilities or serious health-related problems who are victims of abuse or neglect.
(b) Eligibility requirements 
In order for a State to qualify for assistance under this section, such State shall
(1) fulfill the requirements of section 5106a (b)1 of this title;
(2) establish a task force as provided in subsection (c) of this section;
(3) fulfill the requirements of subsection (d) of this section;
(4) submit annually an application to the Secretary at such time and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary considers necessary, including an assurance that the State will
(A) make such reports to the Secretary as may reasonably be required; and
(B) maintain and provide access to records relating to activities under subsections (a) and (b) of this section; and
(5) submit annually to the Secretary a report on the manner in which assistance received under this program was expended throughout the State, with particular attention focused on the areas described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) State task forces 

(1) General rule 
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a State requesting assistance under this section shall establish or designate, and maintain, a State multidisciplinary task force on childrens justice (hereinafter referred to as State task force) composed of professionals with knowledge and experience relating to the criminal justice system and issues of child physical abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and child maltreatment related fatalities. The State task force shall include
(A) individuals representing the law enforcement community;
(B) judges and attorneys involved in both civil and criminal court proceedings related to child abuse and neglect (including individuals involved with the defense as well as the prosecution of such cases);
(C) child advocates, including both attorneys for children and, where such programs are in operation, court appointed special advocates;
(D) health and mental health professionals;
(E) individuals representing child protective service agencies;
(F) individuals experienced in working with children with disabilities;
(G) parents; and
(H) representatives of parents groups.
(2) Existing task force 
As determined by the Secretary, a State commission or task force established after January 1, 1983, with substantially comparable membership and functions, may be considered the State task force for purposes of this subsection.
(d) State task force study 
Before a State receives assistance under this section, and at three year intervals thereafter, the State task force shall comprehensively
(1) review and evaluate State investigative, administrative and both civil and criminal judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as cases involving suspected child maltreatment related fatalities and cases involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal; and
(2) make policy and training recommendations in each of the categories described in subsection (e) of this section.

The task force may make such other comments and recommendations as are considered relevant and useful.

(e) Adoption of State task force recommendations 

(1) General rule 
Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), before a State receives assistance under this section, a State shall adopt recommendations of the State task force in each of the following categories
(A) investigative, administrative, and judicial handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as cases involving suspected child maltreatment related fatalities and cases involving a potential combination of jurisdictions, such as interstate, Federal-State, and State-Tribal, in a manner which reduces the additional trauma to the child victim and the victims family and which also ensures procedural fairness to the accused;
(B) experimental, model and demonstration programs for testing innovative approaches and techniques which may improve the prompt and successful resolution of civil and criminal court proceedings or enhance the effectiveness of judicial and administrative action in child abuse and neglect cases, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation cases, including the enhancement of performance of court-appointed attorneys and guardians ad litem for children, and which also ensure procedural fairness to the accused; and
(C) reform of State laws, ordinances, regulations, protocols and procedures to provide comprehensive protection for children from abuse, particularly child sexual abuse and exploitation, while ensuring fairness to all affected persons.
(2) Exemption 
As determined by the Secretary, a State shall be considered to be in fulfillment of the requirements of this subsection if
(A) the State adopts an alternative to the recommendations of the State task force, which carries out the purpose of this section, in each of the categories under paragraph (1) for which the State task forces recommendations are not adopted; or
(B) the State is making substantial progress toward adopting recommendations of the State task force or a comparable alternative to such recommendations.
(f) Funds available 
For grants under this section, the Secretary shall use the amount authorized by section 10603a of this title.
[1] See References in Text note below.

42 USC 5106d - Miscellaneous requirements relating to assistance

(a) Construction of facilities 

(1) Restriction on use of funds 
Assistance provided under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter may not be used for construction of facilities.
(2) Lease, rental, or repair 
The Secretary may authorize the use of funds received under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter
(A) where adequate facilities are not otherwise available, for the lease or rental of facilities; or
(B) for the repair or minor remodeling or alteration of existing facilities.
(b) Geographical distribution 
The Secretary shall establish criteria designed to achieve equitable distribution of assistance under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter among the States, among geographic areas of the Nation, and among rural and urban areas of the Nation. To the extent possible, the Secretary shall ensure that the citizens of each State receive assistance from at least one project under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter.
(c) Limitation 
No funds appropriated for any grant or contract pursuant to authorizations made in this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter may be used for any purpose other than that for which such funds were authorized to be appropriated.
(d) Sense of Congress 
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should encourage all States and public and private agencies or organizations that receive assistance under this subchapter to ensure that children and families with limited English proficiency who participate in programs under this subchapter are provided materials and services under such programs in an appropriate language other than English.
(e) Annual report 
A State that receives funds under section 5106a (a) of this title shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a report describing the manner in which funds provided under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter, alone or in combination with other Federal funds, were used to address the purposes and achieve the objectives of section 5106a of this title.

42 USC 5106e - Coordination of child abuse and neglect programs

The Secretary shall prescribe regulations and make such arrangements as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that there is effective coordination among programs related to child abuse and neglect under this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter and other such programs which are assisted by Federal funds.

42 USC 5106f - Reports

(a) Omitted 
(b) Effectiveness of State programs 
Not later than two years after the first fiscal year for which funds are obligated under section 10603a of this title, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report evaluating the effectiveness of assisted programs in achieving the objectives of section 5106c of this title.
(c) Study and report relating to citizen review panels 

(1) Study 
The Secretary shall conduct a study by random sample of the effectiveness of the citizen review panels established under section 5106a (c) of this title.
(2) Report 
Not later than 3 years after June 25, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that contains the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).

42 USC 5106f1 - Report concerning voluntary reporting system

Not later than April 30, 1993, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the measures being taken to assist States in implementing a voluntary reporting system for child abuse and neglect. Such reports shall contain information concerning the extent to which the child abuse and neglect reporting systems developed by the States are coordinated with the automated foster care and adoption reporting system required under section 679 of this title.

42 USC 5106g - Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter
(1) the term child means a person who has not attained the lesser of
(A) the age of 18; or
(B) except in the case of sexual abuse, the age specified by the child protection law of the State in which the child resides;
(2) the term child abuse and neglect means, at a minimum, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm;
(3) the term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
(4) the term sexual abuse includes
(A) the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or
(B) the rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children;
(5) the term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands;
(6) the term withholding of medically indicated treatment means the failure to respond to the infants life-threatening conditions by providing treatment (including appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication) which, in the treating physicians or physicians reasonable medical judgment, will be most likely to be effective in ameliorating or correcting all such conditions, except that the term does not include the failure to provide treatment (other than appropriate nutrition, hydration, or medication) to an infant when, in the treating physicians or physicians reasonable medical judgment
(A) the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose;
(B) the provision of such treatment would
(i) merely prolong dying;
(ii) not be effective in ameliorating or correcting all of the infants life-threatening conditions; or
(iii) otherwise be futile in terms of the survival of the infant; or
(C) the provision of such treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of the infant and the treatment itself under such circumstances would be inhumane.

42 USC 5106h - Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general 

(1) General authorization 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2008.
(2) Discretionary activities 

(A) In general 
Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make available 30 percent of such amounts to fund discretionary activities under this subchapter.
(B) Demonstration projects 
Of the amounts made available for a fiscal year under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make available not more than 40 percent of such amounts to carry out section 5105 of this title.
(b) Availability of funds without fiscal year limitation 
The Secretary shall ensure that funds appropriated pursuant to authorizations in this subchapter shall remain available until expended for the purposes for which they were appropriated.

42 USC 5106i - Rule of construction

(a) In general 
Nothing in this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter shall be construed
(1) as establishing a Federal requirement that a parent or legal guardian provide a child any medical service or treatment against the religious beliefs of the parent or legal guardian; and
(2) to require that a State find, or to prohibit a State from finding, abuse or neglect in cases in which a parent or legal guardian relies solely or partially upon spiritual means rather than medical treatment, in accordance with the religious beliefs of the parent or legal guardian.
(b) State requirement 
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a State shall, at a minimum, have in place authority under State law to permit the child protective services system of the State to pursue any legal remedies, including the authority to initiate legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, to provide medical care or treatment for a child when such care or treatment is necessary to prevent or remedy serious harm to the child, or to prevent the withholding of medically indicated treatment from children with life threatening conditions. Except with respect to the withholding of medically indicated treatments from disabled infants with life threatening conditions, case by case determinations concerning the exercise of the authority of this subsection shall be within the sole discretion of the State.

42 USC 5107 - Discretionary programs; authorization of appropriations

(a) 
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, either directly, through grants to States and public and private, nonprofit">nonprofit organizations and agencies, or through jointly financed cooperative arrangements with States, public agencies, and other agencies and organizations, is authorized to provide for activities of national significance related to child abuse prevention and treatment and adoption reform, including operation of a national center to collect and disseminate information regarding child abuse and neglect, and operation of a national adoption information exchange system to facilitate the adoptive placement of children.
(2) The Secretary, in carrying out the provisions of this subsection, shall provide for the continued operation of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in accordance with section 5101 (a) of this title for each of the fiscal years 1982 and 1983.
(3) If the Secretary determines, in fiscal year 1982 or 1983, to carry out any of the activities described in section 5101 (b) of this title, the Secretary shall carry out such activities through the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.
(b) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1982 and 1983. Of the amounts appropriated under this subsection for any fiscal year, not less than $2,000,000 shall be available to carry out title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 [42 U.S.C. 5111 et seq.].

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER II - ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES

42 USC 5111 - Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

(a) Findings 
Congress finds that
(1) the number of children in substitute care has increased by nearly 24 percent since 1994, as our Nations foster care population included more than 565,000 as of September of 2001;
(2) children entering foster care have complex problems that require intensive services, with many such children having special needs because they are born to mothers who did not receive prenatal care, are born with life threatening conditions or disabilities, are born addicted to alcohol or other drugs, or have been exposed to infection with the etiologic agent for the human immunodeficiency virus;
(3) each year, thousands of children are in need of placement in permanent, adoptive homes;
(4) many thousands of children remain in institutions or foster homes solely because of legal and other barriers to their placement in permanent, adoptive homes;
(5) 
(A) currently, there are 131,000 children waiting for adoption;
(B) such children are typically school aged, in sibling groups, have experienced neglect or abuse, or have a physical, mental, or emotional disability; and
(C) while the children are of all races, children of color and older children (over the age of 10) are over represented in such group;
(6) adoption may be the best alternative for assuring the healthy development of such children;
(7) there are qualified persons seeking to adopt such children who are unable to do so because of barriers to their placement; and
(8) in order both to enhance the stability and love of the childs home environment and to avoid wasteful expenditures of public funds, such children should not have medically indicated treatment withheld from them nor be maintained in foster care or institutions when adoption is appropriate and families can be found for such children.
(b) Purpose 
It is the purpose of this subchapter to facilitate the elimination of barriers, including geographic barriers, to adoption and to provide permanent and loving home environments for children who would benefit from adoption, particularly children with special needs, including disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, by providing a mechanism to
(1) promote quality standards for adoption services, pre-placement, post-placement, and post-legal adoption counseling, and standards to protect the rights of children in need of adoption;
(2) maintain an Internet-based national adoption information exchange system to bring together children who would benefit from adoption and qualified prospective adoptive parents who are seeking such children, and conduct national recruitment efforts in order to reach prospective parents for children awaiting adoption; and
(3) demonstrate expeditious ways to free children for adoption for whom it has been determined that adoption is the appropriate plan.

42 USC 5112 - Repealed. Pub. L. 102295, title IV, 402, May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 213

Section, Pub. L. 95–266, title II, § 202, Apr. 24, 1978, 92 Stat. 208; Pub. L. 98–457, title II, § 202, Oct. 9, 1984, 98 Stat. 1756, related to model adoption legislation and procedures.

42 USC 5113 - Information and services

(a) In general 
The Secretary shall establish in the Department of Health and Human Services an appropriate administrative arrangement to provide a centralized focus for planning and coordinating of all departmental activities affecting adoption and foster care and for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter. The Secretary shall make available such consultant services, on-site technical assistance and personnel, together with appropriate administrative expenses, including salaries and travel costs, as are necessary for carrying out such purposes, including services to facilitate the adoption of children with special needs and particularly of disabled infants with life-threatening conditions and services to couples considering adoption of children with special needs.
(b) Required activities 
In connection with carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Secretary shall
(1) conduct (directly or by grant to or contract with public or private agencies or organizations) an education and training program on adoption, and prepare, publish, and disseminate (directly or by grant to or contract with public or private agencies and organizations) to all interested parties, public and private agencies and organizations (including, but not limited to, hospitals, health care and family planning clinics, and social services agencies), and governmental bodies, information and education and training materials regarding adoption and adoption assistance programs;
(2) conduct, directly or by grant or contract with public or private organizations, ongoing, extensive recruitment efforts on a national level, develop national public awareness efforts to unite children in need of adoption with appropriate adoptive parents, and establish a coordinated referral system of recruited families with appropriate State or regional adoption resources to ensure that families are served in a timely fashion;
(3) notwithstanding any other provision of law, provide (directly or by grant to or contract with public or private agencies or organizations) for
(A)  the operation of a national adoption information exchange system (including only such information as is necessary to facilitate the adoptive placement of children, utilizing computers and data processing methods to assist in the location of children who would benefit by adoption and in the placement in adoptive homes of children awaiting adoption); and
(B)  the coordination of such system with similar State and regional systems;
(4) provide (directly or by grant to or contract with public or private agencies or organizations, including adoptive family groups and minority groups) for the provision of technical assistance in the planning, improving, developing, and carrying out of programs and activities relating to adoption, and to promote professional leadership training of minorities in the adoption field;
(5) encourage involvement of corporations and small businesses in supporting adoption as a positive family-strengthening option, including the establishment of adoption benefit programs for employees who adopt children;
(6) support the placement of children in kinship care arrangements, pre-adoptive, or adoptive homes;
(7) study the efficacy of States contracting with public or private agencies (including community-based and other organizations), or sectarian institutions for the recruitment of potential adoptive and foster families and to provide assistance in the placement of children for adoption;
(8) consult with other appropriate Federal departments and agencies in order to promote maximum coordination of the services and benefits provided under programs carried out by such departments and agencies with those carried out by the Secretary, and provide for the coordination of such aspects of all programs within the Department of Health and Human Services relating to adoption;
(9) maintain (directly or by grant to or contract with public or private agencies or organizations) a National Resource Center for Special Needs Adoption to
(A) promote professional leadership development of minorities in the adoption field;
(B) provide training and technical assistance to service providers and State agencies to improve professional competency in the field of adoption and the adoption of children with special needs; and
(C) facilitate the development of interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs of children who are waiting for adoption and the needs of adoptive families;
(10) provide (directly or by grant to or contract with States, local government entities, public or private licensed child welfare or adoption agencies or adoptive family groups and community-based organizations with experience in working with minority populations) for the provision of programs aimed at increasing the number of minority children (who are in foster care and have the goal of adoption) placed in adoptive families, with a special emphasis on recruitment of minority families
(A) which may include such activities as
(i) outreach, public education, or media campaigns to inform the public of the needs and numbers of such children;
(ii) recruitment of prospective adoptive families for such children;
(iii) expediting, where appropriate, the legal availability of such children;
(iv) expediting, where appropriate, the agency assessment of prospective adoptive families identified for such children;
(v) formation of prospective adoptive family support groups;
(vi) training of personnel of
(I) public agencies;
(II) private child welfare and adoption agencies that are licensed by the State; and
(III) adoptive parents organizations and community-based organizations with experience in working with minority populations;
(vii) use of volunteers and adoptive parent groups; and
(viii) any other activities determined by the Secretary to further the purposes of this subchapter; and
(B) shall be subject to the condition that such grants or contracts may be renewed if documentation is provided to the Secretary demonstrating that appropriate and sufficient placements of such children have occurred during the previous funding period; and
(11) provide (directly or by grant to or contract with States, local government entities, or public or private licensed child welfare or adoption agencies) for the implementation of programs that are intended to increase the number of older children (who are in foster care and with the goal of adoption) placed in adoptive families, with a special emphasis on child-specific recruitment strategies, including
(A) outreach, public education, or media campaigns to inform the public of the needs and numbers of older youth available for adoption;
(B) training of personnel in the special needs of older youth and the successful strategies of child-focused, child-specific recruitment efforts; and
(C) recruitment of prospective families for such children.
(c) Services for families adopting special needs children 

(1) In general 
The Secretary shall provide (directly or by grant to or contract with States, local government entities, public or private licensed child welfare or adoption agencies or adoptive family groups) for the provision of post legal adoption services for families who have adopted special needs children.
(2) Services 
Services provided under grants made under this subsection shall supplement, not supplant, services from any other funds available for the same general purposes, including
(A) individual counseling;
(B) group counseling;
(C) family counseling;
(D) case management;
(E) training public agency adoption personnel, personnel of private, child welfare and adoption agencies licensed by the State to provide adoption services, mental health services professionals, and other support personnel to provide services under this subsection;
(F) assistance to adoptive parent organizations;
(G) assistance to support groups for adoptive parents, adopted children, and siblings of adopted children;
(H) day treatment; and
(I) respite care.
(d) Improving placement rate of children in foster care 

(1) In general 
The Secretary shall make grants for improving State efforts to increase the placement of foster care children legally free for adoption, according to a pre-established plan and goals for improvement. Grants funded by this section must include a strong evaluation component which outlines the innovations used to improve the placement of special needs children who are legally free for adoption, and the successes and failures of the initiative. The evaluations will be submitted to the Secretary who will compile the results of projects funded by this section and submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress. The emphasis of this program must focus on the improvement of the placement ratenot the aggregate number of special needs children placed in permanent homes. The Secretary, when reviewing grant applications[1] shall give priority to grantees who propose improvements designed to continue in the absence of Federal funds.
(2) Applications; technical and other assistance 

(A) Applications 
Each State entering into an agreement under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary that describes the manner in which the State will use funds during the 3 fiscal years subsequent to the date of the application to accomplish the purposes of this section. Such application shall be in a form and manner determined to be appropriate by the Secretary. Each application shall include verification of the placements described in paragraph (1).
(B) Technical and other assistance 
The Secretary shall provide, directly or by grant to or contract with public or private agencies or organizations
(i) technical assistance and resource and referral information to assist State or local governments with termination of parental rights issues, in recruiting and retaining adoptive families, in the successful placement of children with special needs, and in the provision of pre- and post-placement services, including post-legal adoption services; and
(ii) other assistance to help State and local governments replicate successful adoption-related projects from other areas in the United States.
(3) Payments 

(A) In general 
Payments under this subsection shall begin during fiscal year 1989. Payments under this section during any fiscal year shall not exceed $1,000,000. No payment may be made under this subsection unless an amount in excess of $5,000,000 is appropriated for such fiscal year under section 5115 (a) of this title.
(B) Reversion of unused funds 
Any payment made to a State under this subsection which is not used by such State for the purpose provided in paragraph (1) during the fiscal year payment is made shall revert to the Secretary on October 1st of the next fiscal year and shall be used to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
(e) Elimination of barriers to adoptions across jurisdictional boundaries 

(1) In general 
The Secretary shall award grants to, or enter into contracts with, States, local government entities, public or private child welfare or adoption agencies, adoption exchanges, or adoption family groups to carry out initiatives to improve efforts to eliminate barriers to placing children for adoption across jurisdictional boundaries.
(2) Services to supplement not supplant 
Services provided under grants made under this subsection shall supplement, not supplant, services provided using any other funds made available for the same general purposes including
(A) developing a uniform homestudy standard and protocol for acceptance of homestudies between States and jurisdictions;
(B) developing models of financing cross-jurisdictional placements;
(C) expanding the capacity of all adoption exchanges to serve increasing numbers of children;
(D) developing training materials and training social workers on preparing and moving children across State lines; and
(E) developing and supporting initiative models for networking among agencies, adoption exchanges, and parent support groups across jurisdictional boundaries.
[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

42 USC 5114 - Study and report of unlicensed or unregulated adoption placements

(a) In general 
The Secretary shall provide for a study (the results of which shall be reported to the appropriate committees of the Congress not later than eighteen months after June 25, 2003) designed to determine
(1) the nature, scope, and effects of the interstate (and, to the extent feasible, intrastate) placement of children in adoptive homes (not including the homes of stepparents or relatives of the child in question) by persons or agencies.[1]
(2) how interstate placements are being financed across State lines;
(3) recommendations on best practice models for both interstate and intrastate adoptions; and
(4) how State policies in defining special needs children differentiate or group similar categories of children.
(b) Dynamics of successful adoption 
The Secretary shall conduct research (directly or by grant to, or contract with, public or private nonprofit">nonprofit research agencies or organizations) about adoption outcomes and the factors affecting those outcomes. The Secretary shall submit a report containing the results of such research to the appropriate committees of the Congress not later than the date that is 36 months after June 25, 2003.
(c) Interjurisdictional adoption 
Not later than 1 year after June 25, 2003, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of the Congress a report that contains recommendations for an action plan to facilitate the interjurisdictional adoption of foster children.
[1] So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

42 USC 5115 - Authorization of appropriations

(a) There are authorized to be appropriated $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 2008 to carry out programs and activities authorized under this subchapter.
(b) The Secretary shall ensure that funds appropriated pursuant to authorizations in this subchapter shall remain available until expended for the purposes for which they were appropriated.

42 USC 5115a - Repealed. Pub. L. 104188, title I, 1808(d), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1904

Section, Pub. L. 103–382, title V, § 553, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4056, related to multiethnic placements.

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER III - COMMUNITYBASED GRANTS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

42 USC 5116 - Purpose and authority

(a) Purpose 
It is the purpose of this subchapter
(1) to support community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and, where appropriate to network, initiatives aimed at the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and to support networks of coordinated resources and activities to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect; and
(2) to foster an understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of diverse populations in order to be effective in preventing and treating child abuse and neglect.
(b) Authority 
The Secretary shall make grants under this subchapter on a formula basis to the entity designated by the State as the lead entity (hereafter referred to in this subchapter as the lead entity) under section 5116a (1) of this title for the purpose of
(1) developing, operating, expanding and enhancing community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate) that are accessible, effective, culturally appropriate, and build upon existing strengths that
(A) offer assistance to families;
(B) provide early, comprehensive support for parents;
(C) promote the development of parenting skills, especially in young parents and parents with very young children;
(D) increase family stability;
(E) improve family access to other formal and informal resources and opportunities for assistance available within communities;
(F) support the additional needs of families with children with disabilities through respite care and other services;
(G) demonstrate a commitment to meaningful parent leadership, including among parents of children with disabilities, parents with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and members of other underrepresented or underserved groups; and
(H) provide referrals to early health and developmental services;
(2) fostering the development of a continuum of preventive services for children and families through State and community-based collaborations and partnerships both public and private;
(3) financing the start-up, maintenance, expansion, or redesign of specific family resource and support program services (such as respite care services, child abuse and neglect prevention activities, disability services, mental health services, housing services, transportation, adult education, home visiting and other similar services) identified by the inventory and description of current services required under section 5116d (3)1 of this title as an unmet need, and integrated with the network of community-based family resource and support program to the extent practicable given funding levels and community priorities;
(4) maximizing funding through leveraging of funds for the financing, planning, community mobilization, collaboration, assessment, information and referral, startup, training and technical assistance, information management, reporting and evaluation costs for establishing, operating, or expanding community-based and prevention-focused, programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate); and
(5) financing public information activities that focus on the healthy and positive development of parents and children and the promotion of child abuse and neglect prevention activities.
[1] See References in Text note below.

42 USC 5116a - Eligibility

A State shall be eligible for a grant under this subchapter for a fiscal year if
(1) 
(A) the chief executive officer of the State has designated a lead entity to administer funds under this subchapter for the purposes identified under the authority of this subchapter, including to develop, implement, operate, enhance or expand community-based and prevention-focused, programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate);
(B) such lead entity is an existing public, quasi-public, or nonprofit">nonprofit private entity (which may be an entity that has not been established pursuant to State legislation, executive order, or any other written authority of the State) that exists to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect with a demonstrated ability to work with other State and community-based agencies to provide training and technical assistance, and that has the capacity and commitment to ensure the meaningful involvement of parents who are consumers and who can provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policy decisions of the applicant agency in accomplishing the desired outcomes for such efforts;
(C) in determining which entity to designate under subparagraph (A), the chief executive officer should give priority consideration equally to a trust fund advisory board of the State or to an existing entity that leverages Federal, State, and private funds for a broad range of child abuse and neglect prevention activities and family resource programs, and that is directed by an interdisciplinary, public-private structure, including participants from communities; and
(D) in the case of a State that has designated a State trust fund advisory board for purposes of administering funds under this subchapter (as such subchapter was in effect on October 3, 1996) and in which one or more entities that leverage Federal, State, and private funds (as described in subparagraph (C)) exist, the chief executive officer shall designate the lead entity only after full consideration of the capacity and expertise of all entities desiring to be designated under subparagraph (A);
(2) the chief executive officer of the State provides assurances that the lead entity will provide or will be responsible for providing
(A) community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate) composed of local, collaborative, public-private partnerships directed by interdisciplinary structures with balanced representation from private and public sector members, parents, and public and private nonprofit">nonprofit service providers and individuals and organizations experienced in working in partnership with families with children with disabilities;
(B) direction through an interdisciplinary, collaborative, public-private structure with balanced representation from private and public sector members, parents, and public sector and private nonprofit">nonprofit sector service providers, and parents with disabilities; and
(C) direction and oversight through identified goals and objectives, clear lines of communication and accountability, the provision of leveraged or combined funding from Federal, State and private sources, centralized assessment and planning activities, the provision of training and technical assistance, and reporting and evaluation functions; and
(3) the chief executive officer of the State provides assurances that the lead entity
(A) has a demonstrated commitment to parental participation in the development, operation, and oversight of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate);
(B) has a demonstrated ability to work with State and community-based public and private nonprofit">nonprofit organizations to develop a continuum of preventive, family centered, comprehensive services for children and families through the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate);
(C) has the capacity to provide operational support (both financial and programmatic)[1] training, technical assistance, and evaluation assistance, to community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate), through innovative, interagency funding and interdisciplinary service delivery mechanisms; and
(D) will integrate its efforts with individuals and organizations experienced in working in partnership with families with children with disabilities, parents with disabilities, and with the child abuse and neglect prevention activities of the State, and demonstrate a financial commitment to those activities.
[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

42 USC 5116b - Amount of grant

(a) Reservation 
The Secretary shall reserve 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 5116i of this title for a fiscal year to make allotments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations and migrant programs.
(b) Remaining amounts 

(1) In general 
The Secretary shall allot the amount appropriated under section 5116i of this title for a fiscal year and remaining after the reservation under subsection (a) of this section among the States as follows:
(A) 70 percent of such amount appropriated shall be allotted among the States by allotting to each State an amount that bears the same proportion to such amount appropriated as the number of children under the age of 18 residing in the State bears to the total number of children under the age of 18 residing in all States (except that no State shall receive less than $175,000 under this subparagraph).
(B) 30 percent of such amount appropriated shall be allotted among the States by allotting to each State an amount that bears the same proportion to such amount appropriated as the amount of private, State or other non-Federal funds leveraged and directed through the currently designated State lead entity in the preceding fiscal year bears to the aggregate of the amounts leveraged by all States from private, State, or other non-Federal sources and directed through the current lead entity of such States in the preceding fiscal year.
(2) Additional requirement 
The Secretary shall provide allotments under paragraph (1) to the State lead entity.
(c) Allocation 
Funds allotted to a State under this section
(1) shall be for a 3-year period; and
(2) shall be provided by the Secretary to the State on an annual basis, as described in subsection (b) of this section.

42 USC 5116c - Repealed. Pub. L. 10836, title I, 124, June 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 815

Section, Pub. L. 93–247, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 104–235, title I, § 121, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3083; amended Pub. L. 106–400, § 2, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1675, related to continuation of grants and agreements in effect on October 3, 1996. A prior section 5116c, Pub. L. 93–247, title II, § 204, formerly Pub. L. 98–473, title IV, § 405, Oct. 12, 1984, 98 Stat. 2198; renumbered 204 of Pub. L. 93–247, and amended Pub. L. 101–126, §§ 2(a), 3 (a)(3), (c)(1), 4 (d), Oct. 25, 1989, 103 Stat. 764, 766, 767; Pub. L. 102–295, title I, § 123, May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 198, established requirement for State grant eligibility, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 103–252, § 401(a).

42 USC 5116d - Application

A grant may not be made to a State under this subchapter unless an application therefor is submitted by the State to the Secretary and such application contains the types of information specified by the Secretary as essential to carrying out the provisions of section 5116a of this title, including
(1) a description of the lead entity that will be responsible for the administration of funds provided under this subchapter and the oversight of programs funded through the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate) which meets the requirements of section 5116a of this title;
(2) a description of how the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect (through networks where appropriate) will operate and how family resource and support services provided by public and private, nonprofit">nonprofit organizations will be integrated into a developing continuum of family centered, holistic, preventive services for children and families;
(3) a description of the inventory of current unmet needs and current community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect, and other family resource services operating in the State;
(4) a budget for the development, operation and expansion of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that verifies that the State will expend in non-Federal funds an amount equal to not less than 20 percent of the amount received under this subchapter (in cash, not in-kind) for activities under this subchapter;
(5) an assurance that funds received under this subchapter will supplement, not supplant, other State and local public funds designated for the start up, maintenance, expansion, and redesign of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(6) an assurance that the State has the capacity to ensure the meaningful involvement of parents who are consumers and who can provide leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programs and policy decisions of the applicant agency in accomplishing the desired outcomes for such efforts;
(7) a description of the criteria that the entity will use to develop, or select and fund, community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect as part of network development, expansion or enhancement;
(8) a description of outreach activities that the entity and the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect will undertake to maximize the participation of racial and ethnic minorities, children and adults with disabilities, homeless families and those at risk of homelessness, and members of other underserved or underrepresented groups;
(9) a plan for providing operational support, training and technical assistance to community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect for development, operation, expansion and enhancement activities;
(10) a description of how the applicant entitys activities and those of the network and its members (where appropriate) will be evaluated;
(11) a description of the actions that the applicant entity will take to advocate systemic changes in State policies, practices, procedures and regulations to improve the delivery of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect services to children and families; and
(12) an assurance that the applicant entity will provide the Secretary with reports at such time and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

42 USC 5116e - Local program requirements

(a) In general 
Grants made under this subchapter shall be used to develop, implement, operate, expand and enhance community-based, and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that
(1) assess community assets and needs through a planning process that involves parents and local public agencies, local nonprofit">nonprofit organizations, and private sector representatives;
(2) develop a strategy to provide, over time, a continuum of preventive, family centered services to children and families, especially to young parents and parents with young children, through public-private partnerships;
(3) provide
(A) core family resource and support services such as
(i) parent education, mutual support and self help, and leadership services;
(ii) outreach services;
(iii) community and social service referrals; and
(iv) follow-up services;
(B) other core services, which must be provided or arranged for through contracts or agreements with other local agencies, including voluntary home visiting and all forms of respite care services to the extent practicable; and
(C) access to optional services, including
(i) referral to and counseling for adoption services for individuals interested in adopting a child or relinquishing their child for adoption;
(ii) child care, early childhood development and intervention services;
(iii) referral to services and supports to meet the additional needs of families with children with disabilities;
(iv) referral to job readiness services;
(v) referral to educational services, such as scholastic tutoring, literacy training, and General Educational Degree services;
(vi) self-sufficiency and life management skills training;
(vii) community referral services, including early developmental screening of children; and
(viii) peer counseling;
(4) develop leadership roles for the meaningful involvement of parents in the development, operation, evaluation, and oversight of the programs and services;
(5) provide leadership in mobilizing local public and private resources to support the provision of needed family resource and support program services; and
(6) participate with other community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect in the development, operation and expansion of networks where appropriate.
(b) Priority 
In awarding local grants under this subchapter, a lead entity shall give priority to effective community-based programs serving low income communities and those serving young parents or parents with young children, including community-based family resource and support programs.

42 USC 5116f - Performance measures

A State receiving a grant under this subchapter, through reports provided to the Secretary
(1) shall demonstrate the effective development, operation and expansion of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect that meets the requirements of this subchapter;
(2) shall supply an inventory and description of the services provided to families by local programs that meet identified community needs, including core and optional services as described in section 5116a of this title;
(3) shall demonstrate that they will have addressed unmet needs identified by the inventory and description of current services required under section 5116d (3) of this title;
(4) shall describe the number of families served, including families with children with disabilities, and parents with disabilities, and the involvement of a diverse representation of families in the design, operation, and evaluation of community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect, and in the design, operation and evaluation of the networks of such community-based and prevention-focused programs;
(5) shall demonstrate a high level of satisfaction among families who have used the services of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(6) shall demonstrate the establishment or maintenance of innovative funding mechanisms, at the State or community level, that blend Federal, State, local and private funds, and innovative, interdisciplinary service delivery mechanisms, for the development, operation, expansion and enhancement of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(7) shall describe the results of a peer review process conducted under the State program; and
(8) shall demonstrate an implementation plan to ensure the continued leadership of parents in the on-going planning, implementation, and evaluation of such community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect.

42 USC 5116g - National network for community-based family resource programs

The Secretary may allocate such sums as may be necessary from the amount provided under the State allotment to support the activities of the lead entity in the State
(1) to create, operate and maintain a peer review process;
(2) to create, operate and maintain an information clearinghouse;
(3) to fund a yearly symposium on State system change efforts that result from the operation of the community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect;
(4) to create, operate and maintain a computerized communication system between lead entities; and
(5) to fund State-to-State technical assistance through bi-annual conferences.

42 USC 5116h - Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter:
(1) Children with disabilities 
The term children with disabilities has the same meaning given the term child with a disability in section 1401 (3) or infant or toddler with a disability in section 1432 (5) of title 20.
(2) Community referral services 
The term community referral services means services provided under contract or through interagency agreements to assist families in obtaining needed information, mutual support and community resources, including respite care services, health and mental health services, employability development and job training, and other social services, including early developmental screening of children, through help lines or other methods.
(3) Community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect 
The term community-based and prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect includes organizations such as family resource programs, family support programs, voluntary home visiting programs, respite care programs, parenting education, mutual support programs, and other community programs or networks of such programs that provide activities that are designed to prevent or respond to child abuse and neglect.
(4) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–36, title I, § 129(b), June 25, 2003, 117 Stat. 817 
(5) Respite care services 
The term respite care services means short term care services provided in the temporary absence of the regular caregiver (parent, other relative, foster parent, adoptive parent, or guardian) to children who
(A) are in danger of abuse or neglect;
(B) have experienced abuse or neglect; or
(C) have disabilities, chronic, or terminal illnesses.

Such services shall be provided within or outside the home of the child, be short-term care (ranging from a few hours to a few weeks of time, per year), and be intended to enable the family to stay together and to keep the child living in the home and community of the child.

42 USC 5116i - Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2008.

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IV - TEMPORARY CHILD CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND CRISIS NURSERIES

5117 to 5117d. Repealed. Pub. L. 104235, title I, 142(a), Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3089

Section 5117, Pub. L. 99–401, title II, § 202, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 907, related to congressional findings for this subchapter. Section 5117a, Pub. L. 99–401, title II, § 203, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 907; Pub. L. 101–127, § 2(1), Oct. 25, 1989, 103 Stat. 770, related to temporary child care for children with disabilities and chronically ill children. Section 5117b, Pub. L. 99–401, title II, § 204, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 907, related to crisis nurseries for children who are abused and neglected, at high risk of abuse and neglect, or who are in families receiving child protective services. Section 5117c, Pub. L. 99–401, title II, § 205, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 908; Pub. L. 101–127, §§ 2(2), 3, 4, Oct. 25, 1989, 103 Stat. 770, 771; Pub. L. 101–476, title IX, § 901(a)(3), (g), Oct. 30, 1990, 104 Stat. 1142, 1151; Pub. L. 102–295, title II, § 202, May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 200, related to administrative provisions. Section 5117d, Pub. L. 99–401, title II, § 206, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 909; Pub. L. 100–403, § 1, Aug. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 1013; Pub. L. 101–127, § 5, Oct. 25, 1989, 103 Stat. 771; Pub. L. 102–295, title II, § 203, May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 200, related to authorization of appropriations for carrying out this subchapter.

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER IVA - ABANDONED INFANTS ASSISTANCE

Part A - Projects Regarding Abandonment of Infants and Young Children in Hospitals

42 USC 5117aa11 - Establishment of local projects

(a) In general 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may make grants to public and nonprofit">nonprofit private entities for the purpose of developing, implementing, and operating projects to demonstrate methods
(1) to prevent the abandonment of infants and young children, including the provision of services to members of the natural family for any condition that increases the probability of abandonment of an infant or young child;
(2) to identify and address the needs of abandoned infants and young children;
(3) to assist abandoned infants and young children to reside with their natural families or in foster care, as appropriate;
(4) to recruit, train, and retain foster families for abandoned infants and young children;
(5) to carry out residential care programs for abandoned infants and young children who are unable to reside with their families or to be placed in foster care;
(6) to carry out programs of respite care for families and foster families of infants and young children described in subsection (b);
(7) to recruit and train health and social services personnel to work with families, foster care families, and residential care programs for abandoned infants and young children; and
(8) to prevent the abandonment of infants and young children, and to care for the infants and young children who have been abandoned, through model programs providing health, educational, and social services at a single site in a geographic area in which a significant number of infants and young children described in subsection (b) reside (with special consideration given to applications from entities that will provide the services of the project through community-based organizations).
(b) Priority in provision of services 
The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the applicant for the grant agrees to give priority to abandoned infants and young children who
(1) are infected with, or have been perinatally exposed to, the human immunodeficiency virus, or have a life-threatening illness or other special medical need; or
(2) have been perinatally exposed to a dangerous drug.
(c) Case plan with respect to foster care 
The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the applicant for the grant agrees that, if the applicant expends the grant to carry out any program of providing care to infants and young children in foster homes or in other nonmedical residential settings away from their parents, the applicant will ensure that
(1) a case plan of the type described in paragraph (1) of section 675 of this title is developed for each such infant and young child (to the extent that such infant and young child is not otherwise covered by such a plan); and
(2) the program includes a case review system of the type described in paragraph (5) of such section (covering each such infant and young child who is not otherwise subject to such a system).
(d) Administration of grant 

(1) The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the applicant for the grant agrees
(A) to use the funds provided under this section only for the purposes specified in the application submitted to, and approved by, the Secretary pursuant to subsection (e);
(B) to establish such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to ensure proper disbursement and accounting of Federal funds paid to the applicant under this section;
(C) to report to the Secretary annually on the utilization, cost, and outcome of activities conducted, and services furnished, under this section; and
(D) that if, during the majority of the 180-day period preceding October 18, 1988, the applicant has carried out any program with respect to the care of abandoned infants and young children, the applicant will expend the grant only for the purpose of significantly expanding, in accordance with subsection (a), activities under such program above the level provided under such program during the majority of such period.
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts made available in appropriations Acts for the fiscal year involved, the duration of a grant under subsection (a) shall be for a period of 3 years, except that the Secretary
(A) may terminate the grant if the Secretary determines that the entity involved has substantially failed to comply with the agreements required as a condition of the provision of the grant; and
(B) shall continue the grant for one additional year if the Secretary determines that the entity has satisfactorily complied with such agreements.
(e) Requirement of application 
The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless
(1) an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary;
(2) with respect to carrying out the purpose for which the grant is to be made, the application provides assurances of compliance satisfactory to the Secretary; and
(3) the application otherwise is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
(f) Technical assistance to grantees 
The Secretary may, without charge to any grantee under subsection (a), provide technical assistance (including training) with respect to the planning, development, and operation of projects described in such subsection. The Secretary may provide such technical assistance directly, through contracts, or through grants.
(g) Technical assistance with respect to process of applying for grant 
The Secretary may provide technical assistance (including training) to public and nonprofit">nonprofit private entities with respect to the process of applying to the Secretary for a grant under subsection (a). The Secretary may provide such technical assistance directly, through contracts, or through grants.
(h) Priority requirement 
In making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants located in States that have developed and implemented procedures for expedited termination of parental rights and placement for adoption of infants determined to be abandoned under State law.

42 USC 5117aa12 - Evaluations, study, and reports by Secretary

(a) Evaluations of local programs 
The Secretary shall, directly or through contracts with public and nonprofit">nonprofit private entities, provide for evaluations of projects carried out under section 5117aa–11 of this title and for the dissemination of information developed as a result of such projects.
(b) Study and report on number of abandoned infants and young children 

(1) In general 
The Secretary shall conduct a study for the purpose of determining
(A) an estimate of the annual number of infants and young children relinquished, abandoned, or found deceased in the United States and the number of such infants and young children who are infants and young children described in section 5117aa–11 (b) of this title;
(B) an estimate of the annual number of infants and young children who are victims of homicide;
(C) characteristics and demographics of parents who have abandoned an infant within 1 year of the infants birth; and
(D) an estimate of the annual costs incurred by the Federal Government and by State and local governments in providing housing and care for abandoned infants and young children.
(2) Deadline 
Not later than 36 months after June 25, 2003, the Secretary shall complete the study required under paragraph (1) and submit to Congress a report describing the findings made as a result of the study.
(c) Evaluation 
The Secretary shall evaluate and report on effective methods of intervening before the abandonment of an infant or young child so as to prevent such abandonments, and effective methods for responding to the needs of abandoned infants and young children.

Part B - General Provisions

42 USC 5117aa21 - Definitions

In this subchapter:
(1) Abandoned; abandonment 
The terms abandoned and abandonment, used with respect to infants and young children, mean that the infants and young children are medically cleared for discharge from acute-care hospital settings, but remain hospitalized because of a lack of appropriate out-of-hospital placement alternatives.
(2) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome 
The term acquired immune deficiency syndrome includes infection with the etiologic agent for such syndrome, any condition indicating that an individual is infected with such etiologic agent, and any condition arising from such etiologic agent.
(3) Dangerous drug 
The term dangerous drug means a controlled substance, as defined in section 802 of title 21.
(4) Natural family 
The term natural family shall be broadly interpreted to include natural parents, grandparents, family members, guardians, children residing in the household, and individuals residing in the household on a continuing basis who are in a care-giving situation, with respect to infants and young children covered under this subchapter.
(5) Secretary 
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

42 USC 5117aa22 - Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general 

(1) Authorization 
For the purpose of carrying out this subchapter, there are authorized to be appropriated $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 2008.
(2) Limitation 
Not more than 5 percent of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year may be obligated for carrying out section 5117aa–12 (a) of this title.
(b) Administrative expenses 

(1) Authorization 
For the purpose of the administration of this subchapter by the Secretary, there is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year specified in subsection (a)(1) an amount equal to 5 percent of the amount authorized in such subsection to be appropriated for the fiscal year. With respect to the amounts appropriated under such subsection, the preceding sentence may not be construed to prohibit the expenditure of the amounts for the purpose described in such sentence.
(2) Limitation 
The Secretary may not obligate any of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year unless, from the amounts appropriated under subsection (a)(1) for the fiscal year, the Secretary has obligated for the purpose described in such paragraph an amount equal to the amounts obligated by the Secretary for such purpose in fiscal year 2003.
(c) Availability of funds 
Amounts appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.

42 USC 5117aa - Findings

The Congress finds that
(1) studies indicate that a number of factors contribute to the inability of some parents to provide adequate care for their infants and young children and a lack of suitable shelter homes for such infants and young children have led to the abandonment of such infants and young children in hospitals for extended periods;
(2) an unacceptable number of these infants and young children will be medically cleared for discharge, yet remain in hospitals as boarder babies;
(3) hospital-based child care for these infants and young children is extremely costly and deprives them of an adequate nurturing environment;
(4) appropriate training is needed for personnel working with infants and young children with life-threatening conditions and other special needs, including those who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (commonly known as HIV), those who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (commonly known as AIDS), and those who have been exposed to dangerous drugs;
(5) infants and young children who are abandoned in hospitals are particularly difficult to place in foster homes, and are being abandoned in hospitals in increasing numbers by mothers dying of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, by parents abusing drugs, or by parents incapable of providing adequate care;
(6) there is a need for comprehensive support services for such infants and young children and their families and services to prevent the abandonment of such infants and young children, including foster care services, case management services, family support services, respite and crisis intervention services, counseling services, and group residential home services;
(7) there is a need to support the families of such infants and young children through the provision of services that will prevent the abandonment of the infants and children; and
(8) private, Federal, State, and local resources should be coordinated to establish and maintain services described in paragraph (7) and to ensure the optimal use of all such resources.

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER V - CERTAIN PREVENTIVE SERVICES REGARDING CHILDREN OF HOMELESS FAMILIES OR FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS

5118 to 5118e. Repealed. Pub. L. 104235, title I, 131, Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3088

Section 5118, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 301, as added Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4755, related to demonstration grants for prevention of inappropriate separation from family and for prevention of child abuse and neglect. Section 5118a, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 302, as added Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4757, related to joint training of appropriate service personnel with respect to certain subjects and additional authorized activities for which a grantee may expend grant funds. Section 5118b, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 303, as added Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4757, related to additional agreements required of agencies, evaluations of effectiveness of demonstration programs, report to Congress, and restriction on use of grant to purchase or improve real property. Section 5118c, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 304, as added Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4759, related to required submission of description of intended uses of grant. Section 5118d, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 305, as added Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4759, related to requirement of submission of application for grant. Section 5118e, Pub. L. 93–247, title III, § 306, as added Pub. L. 101–645, title VI, § 661(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4760; amended Pub. L. 102–295, title I, § 131, May 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 199, related to authorization of appropriations for carrying out this subchapter.

TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER VI - CHILD ABUSE CRIME INFORMATION AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

42 USC 5119 - Reporting child abuse crime information

(a) In general 
In each State, an authorized criminal justice agency of the State shall report child abuse crime information to, or index child abuse crime information in, the national criminal history background check system. A criminal justice agency may satisfy the requirement of this subsection by reporting or indexing all felony and serious misdemeanor arrests and dispositions.
(b) Provision of State child abuse crime records through national criminal history background check system 

(1) Not later than 180 days after December 20, 1993, the Attorney General shall, subject to availability of appropriations
(A) investigate the criminal history records system of each State and determine for each State a timetable by which the State should be able to provide child abuse crime records on an on-line basis through the national criminal history background check system;
(B) in consultation with State officials, establish guidelines for the reporting or indexing of child abuse crime information, including guidelines relating to the format, content, and accuracy of criminal history records and other procedures for carrying out this subchapter; and
(C) notify each State of the determinations made pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(2) The Attorney General shall require as a part of each State timetable that the State
(A) by not later than the date that is 5 years after December 20, 1993, have in a computerized criminal history file at least 80 percent of the final dispositions that have been rendered in all identifiable child abuse crime cases in which there has been an event of activity within the last 5 years;
(B) continue to maintain a reporting rate of at least 80 percent for final dispositions in all identifiable child abuse crime cases in which there has been an event of activity within the preceding 5 years; and
(C) take steps to achieve 100 percent disposition reporting, including data quality audits and periodic notices to criminal justice agencies identifying records that lack final dispositions and requesting those dispositions.
(c) Liaison 
An authorized agency of a State shall maintain close liaison with the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse for the exchange of technical assistance in cases of child abuse.
(d) Annual summary 

(1) The Attorney General shall publish an annual statistical summary of child abuse crimes.
(2) The annual statistical summary described in paragraph (1) shall not contain any information that may reveal the identity of any particular victim or alleged violator.
(e) Annual report 
The Attorney General shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, publish an annual summary of each States progress in reporting child abuse crime information to the national criminal history background check system.
(f) Study of child abuse offenders 

(1) Not later than 180 days after December 20, 1993, the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention shall begin a study based on a statistically significant sample of convicted child abuse offenders and other relevant information to determine
(A) the percentage of convicted child abuse offenders who have more than 1 conviction for an offense involving child abuse;
(B) the percentage of convicted child abuse offenders who have been convicted of an offense involving child abuse in more than 1 State; and
(C) the extent to which and the manner in which instances of child abuse form a basis for convictions for crimes other than child abuse crimes.
(2) Not later than 2 years after December 20, 1993, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives containing a description of and a summary of the results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1).

42 USC 5119a - Background checks

(a) In general 

(1) A State may have in effect procedures (established by State statute or regulation) that require qualified entities designated by the State to contact an authorized agency of the State to request a nationwide background check for the purpose of determining whether a provider has been convicted of a crime that bears upon the providers fitness to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities.
(2) The authorized agency shall access and review State and Federal criminal history records through the national criminal history background check system and shall make reasonable efforts to respond to the inquiry within 15 business days.
(3) In the absence of State procedures referred to in paragraph (1), a qualified entity designated under paragraph (1) may contact an authorized agency of the State to request national criminal fingerprint background checks. Qualified entities requesting background checks under this paragraph shall comply with the guidelines set forth in subsection (b) of this section and with procedures for requesting national criminal fingerprint background checks, if any, established by the State.
(b) Guidelines 
The procedures established under subsection (a) of this section shall require
(1) that no qualified entity may request a background check of a provider under subsection (a) of this section unless the provider first provides a set of fingerprints and completes and signs a statement that
(A) contains the name, address, and date of birth appearing on a valid identification document (as defined in section 1028 of title 18) of the provider;
(B) the provider has not been convicted of a crime and, if the provider has been convicted of a crime, contains a description of the crime and the particulars of the conviction;
(C) notifies the provider that the entity may request a background check under subsection (a) of this section;
(D) notifies the provider of the providers rights under paragraph (2); and
(E) notifies the provider that prior to the completion of the background check the qualified entity may choose to deny the provider unsupervised access to a person to whom the qualified entity provides care;
(2) that each provider who is the subject of a background check is entitled
(A) to obtain a copy of any background check report; and
(B) to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any information contained in any such report and obtain a prompt determination as to the validity of such challenge before a final determination is made by the authorized agency;
(3) that an authorized agency, upon receipt of a background check report lacking disposition data, shall conduct research in whatever State and local recordkeeping systems are available in order to obtain complete data;
(4) that the authorized agency shall make a determination whether the provider has been convicted of, or is under pending indictment for, a crime that bears upon the providers fitness to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities and shall convey that determination to the qualified entity; and
(5) that any background check under subsection (a) of this section and the results thereof shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of Public Law 92544, except that this paragraph does not apply to any request by a qualified entity for a national criminal fingerprint background check pursuant to subsection (a)(3) of this section.
(c) Regulations 

(1) The Attorney General may by regulation prescribe such other measures as may be required to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, including measures relating to the security, confidentiality, accuracy, use, misuse, and dissemination of information, and audits and recordkeeping.
(2) The Attorney General shall, to the maximum extent possible, encourage the use of the best technology available in conducting background checks.
(d) Liability 
A qualified entity shall not be liable in an action for damages solely for failure to conduct a criminal background check on a provider, nor shall a State or political subdivision thereof nor any agency, officer or employee thereof, be liable in an action for damages for the failure of a qualified entity (other than itself) to take action adverse to a provider who was the subject of a background check.
(e) Fees 
In the case of a background check pursuant to a State requirement adopted after December 20, 1993, conducted with fingerprints on a person who volunteers with a qualified entity, the fees collected by authorized State agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation may not exceed eighteen dollars, respectively, or the actual cost, whichever is less, of the background check conducted with fingerprints. The States shall establish fee systems that insure that fees to non-profit entities for background checks do not discourage volunteers from participating in child care programs.

42 USC 5119b - Funding for improvement of child abuse crime information

(a) Omitted 
(b) Additional funding grants for improvement of child abuse crime information 

(1) The Attorney General shall, subject to appropriations and with preference to States that, as of December 20, 1993, have in computerized criminal history files the lowest percentages of charges and dispositions of identifiable child abuse cases, make a grant to each State to be used
(A) for the computerization of criminal history files for the purposes of this subchapter;
(B) for the improvement of existing computerized criminal history files for the purposes of this subchapter;
(C) to improve accessibility to the national criminal history background check system for the purposes of this subchapter;
(D) to assist the State in the transmittal of criminal records to, or the indexing of criminal history record in, the national criminal history background check system for the purposes of this subchapter; and
(E) to assist the State in paying all or part of the cost to the State of conducting background checks on persons who are employed by or volunteer with a public, not-for-profit, or voluntary qualified entity to reduce the amount of fees charged for such background checks.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under paragraph (1) a total of $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.
(c) Withholding State funds 
Effective 1 year after December 20, 1993, the Attorney General may reduce, by up to 10 percent, the allocation to a State for a fiscal year under title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 [42 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.] that is not in compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.

42 USC 5119c - Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter
(1) the term authorized agency means a division or office of a State designated by a State to report, receive, or disseminate information under this subchapter;
(2) the term child means a person who is a child for purposes of the criminal child abuse law of a State;
(3) the term child abuse crime means a crime committed under any law of a State that involves the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child by any person;
(4) the term child abuse crime information means the following facts concerning a person who has been arrested for, or has been convicted of, a child abuse crime: full name, race, sex, date of birth, height, weight, fingerprints, a brief description of the child abuse crime or offenses for which the person has been arrested or has been convicted, the disposition of the charge, and any other information that the Attorney General determines may be useful in identifying persons arrested for, or convicted of, a child abuse crime;
(5) the term care means the provision of care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision, or recreation to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities;
(6) the term identifiable child abuse crime case means a case that can be identified by the authorized criminal justice agency of the State as involving a child abuse crime by reference to the statutory citation or descriptive label of the crime as it appears in the criminal history record;
(7) the term individuals with disabilities means persons with a mental or physical impairment who require assistance to perform one or more daily living tasks;
(8) the term national criminal history background check system means the criminal history record system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation based on fingerprint identification or any other method of positive identification;
(9) the term provider means
(A) a person who
(i) is employed by or volunteers with a qualified entity (including an individual who is employed by a school in any capacity, including as a child care provider, a teacher, or another member of school personnel);
(ii) who owns or operates a qualified entity; or
(iii) who has or may have unsupervised access to a child to whom the qualified entity provides child care; and
(B) a person who
(i) seeks to be employed by or volunteer with a qualified entity (including an individual who seeks to be employed by a school in any capacity, including as a child care provider, a teacher, or another member of school personnel);
(ii) seeks to own or operate a qualified entity; or
(iii) seeks to have or may have unsupervised access to a child to whom the qualified entity provides child care;
(10) the term qualified entity means a business or organization, whether public, private, for-profit, not-for-profit, or voluntary, that provides care or care placement services, including a business or organization that licenses or certifies others to provide care or care placement services; and
(11) the term State means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific.