Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/539

 120 STAT. 508

PUBLIC LAW 109–239—JULY 3, 2006

Public Law 109–239 109th Congress An Act July 3, 2006 [H.R. 5403] Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006. 42 USC 1305 note.

To improve protections for children and to hold States accountable for the safe and timely placement of children across State lines, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006’’. SEC. 2. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

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. 3. ORDERLY AND TIMELY PROCESS FOR INTERSTATE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN.

Procedures.

Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (23); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (24) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(25) provide that the State shall have in effect procedures for the orderly and timely interstate placement of children; and procedures implemented in accordance with an interstate compact, if incorporating with the procedures prescribed by paragraph (26), shall be considered to satisfy the requirement of this paragraph.’’. SEC. 4. HOME STUDIES.

(a) ORDERLY PROCESS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is further amended—

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