Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/541

 120 STAT. 510

PUBLIC LAW 109–239—JULY 3, 2006

(B) the reasons given for utilizing the extended compliance period; (C) the extent to which utilizing the extended compliance period leads to the resolution of the circumstances beyond the control of the State; and (D) the actions taken by States and any relevant Federal agencies to resolve the need for the extended compliance period. (3) 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. (b) TIMELY INTERSTATE HOME STUDY INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.— Part E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 670–679b) is amended by inserting after section 473A the following: 42 USC 673c note.

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10:20 Jul 12, 2007

‘‘SEC. 473B. TIMELY INTERSTATE HOME STUDY INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.

‘‘(a) GRANT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary shall make a grant to each State that is a home study incentive-eligible State for a fiscal year in an amount equal to the timely interstate home study incentive payment payable to the State under this section for the fiscal year, which shall be payable in the immediately succeeding fiscal year. ‘‘(b) HOME STUDY INCENTIVE-ELIGIBLE STATE.—A State is a home study incentive-eligible State for a fiscal year if— ‘‘(1) the State has a plan approved under this part for the fiscal year; ‘‘(2) the State is in compliance with subsection (c) for the fiscal year; and ‘‘(3) based on data submitted and verified pursuant to subsection (c), the State has completed a timely interstate home study during the fiscal year. ‘‘(c) DATA REQUIREMENTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A State is in compliance with this subsection for a fiscal year if the State has provided to the Secretary a written report, covering the preceding fiscal year, that specifies— ‘‘(A) the total number of interstate home studies requested by the State with respect to children in foster care under the responsibility of the State, and with respect to each such study, the identity of the other State involved; ‘‘(B) the total number of timely interstate home studies completed by the State with respect to children in foster care under the responsibility of other States, and with respect to each such study, the identity of the other State involved; and ‘‘(C) such other information as the Secretary may require in order to determine whether the State is a home study incentive-eligible State. ‘‘(2) VERIFICATION OF DATA.—In determining the number of timely interstate home studies to be attributed to a State under this section, the Secretary shall check the data provided

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