P.L. 109-239, Approved July 3, 2006 (120 Stat. 508)

Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006

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SEC. 2. [None assigned] It is the sense of the Congress that—

(1) the States should expeditiously ratify the revised Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children recently promulgated by the American Public Human Services Association;

(2) this Act and the revised Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children should not apply to those seeking placement in a licensed residential facility primarily to access clinical mental heath services;

(3) the States should recognize and implement the deadlines for the completion and approval of home studies as provided in section 4 to move children more quickly into safe, permanent homes; and

(4) Federal policy should encourage the safe and expedited placement of children into safe, permanent homes across State lines.

SEC. 4. (a) * * *

(2) [None assigned] Report to the congress.—Within 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a written report on—

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(A) how frequently States need the extended 75-day period provided for in clause (ii) of section 471(a)(26)(A) of the Social Security Act in order to comply with clause (i) of such section; the reasons given for utilizing the extended compliance period;

(B) the extent to which utilizing the extended compliance period leads to the resolution of the circumstances beyond the control of the State; and

(C) the actions taken by States and any relevant Federal agencies to resolve the need for the extended compliance period.

(3) [None assigned] Sense of the congress.—It is the sense of the Congress that each State should—

(A) use private agencies to conduct home studies when doing so is necessary to meet the requirements of section 471(a)(26) of the Social Security Act; and

(B) give full faith and credit to any home study report completed by any other State or an Indian tribe with respect to the placement of a child in foster care or for adoption.

SEC. 5. [None assigned] SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

It is the sense of the Congress that State agencies should fully cooperate with any court which has authority with respect to the placement of a child in foster care or for adoption, for the purpose of locating a parent of the child, and such cooperation should include making available all information obtained from the Federal Parent Locator Service.

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[Internal References.—SSAct §§438(a) and (b), 471(a) and (l), 473B, 475(1) and (5) have footnotes referring to P.L. 109-239.]

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