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ACF Administration for Children and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children, Youth and Families
	1. Log No.: ACYF-IM-CB-98-03	2. Issuance Date: 5/8/98
	3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau
	4. Key Words: The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Multiethnic Placement Act, Interethnic Adoption Provisions

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO:   State and Territorial Agencies Administering Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act

SUBJECT:   INFORMATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION - Questions and answers that clarify the practice and implementation of section 471(a)(18) of title IV-E of the Social Security Act.

LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES:   The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (Public Law (P.L.) 104-188), the Howard M. Metzenbaum Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-382), and Titles IV-B (42 U.S.C. 620 et seq.) and IV-E (42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.) of the Social Security Act (the Act).

PURPOSE:   The General Accounting Office (GAO) is conducting a study on States' implementation of the Interethnic provision of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 and raised several questions. The purpose of this memorandum is to inform States, Tribes and private child placement agencies of the responses to these questions.

BACKGROUND:   On August 20, 1996 President Clinton signed the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996. Included in this new law was Section 1808, "Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption," which repealed section 553 of MEPA and amended title IV-E of the Act by adding a State plan requirement at section 471(a)(18). On June 5, 1997 the Children's Bureau issued an Information Memorandum (ACFY-IM-CB-97-04) to State title IV-B/IV-E agencies and others providing them with guidance and clarification on Section 1808.

INFORMATION:   The attached document, "GAO Questions and Answers," addresses a number of implementation and practice issues that States, Tribes, private child placement agencies and others may find helpful in achieving compliance with title IV-E of the Social Security Act.

INQUIRIES:   Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Regional Offices (lists attached).

            /s/
James A. Harrell
Deputy Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth, and Families
cc: OCR and ACF Regional Offices

Attachments:

Attachment 1-   GAO Question and Answers
Attachment 2-   OCR and ACF Regional Office Lists