42 U.S.C. § 601 — Purpose

Page 2134 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 601 and (i)(4), (5), is title II of Pub. L. 91–373, Aug. 10, 1970, 84 Stat. 708, which is classified generally as a note under section 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. AMENDMENTS 2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–120 substituted ‘‘claim- ants for regular compensation, including claimants re- ferred to reemployment services as described in section 503(j) of this title,’’ for ‘‘individuals referred to reem- ployment services as described in section 503(j) of this title’’ and ‘‘such claimants’’ for ‘‘such individuals’’. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2024 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 118–120, § 2(b), Nov. 25, 2024, 138 Stat. 1626, pro- vided that: ‘‘The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 25, 2024].’’ SUBCHAPTER IV—GRANTS TO STATES FOR AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND FOR CHILD-WEL- FARE SERVICES Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Pub. L. 90–248, title II, § 240(a), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 911, inserted ‘‘AND FOR CHILD-WELFARE SERV- ICES’’ at end of subchapter heading. Pub. L. 87–543, title I, § 104(a)(1), July 25, 1962, 76 Stat. 185, substituted ‘‘AID AND SERVICES TO NEEDY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN’’ for ‘‘AID TO DEPEND- ENT CHILDREN’’ in subchapter heading. PART A—BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior part A relating to aid to families with de- pendent children and consisting of sections 601 to 618 of this title was repealed, except for section 618, by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 103(a)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2112. § 601. Purpose (a) In general The purpose of this part is to increase the flexibility of States in operating a program de- signed to— (1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job prepa- ration, work, and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out- of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and (4) encourage the formation and mainte- nance of two-parent families. (b) No individual entitlement This part shall not be interpreted to entitle any individual or family to assistance under any State program funded under this part. (Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 103(a)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2112; amended Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 601, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 401, 49 Stat. 627; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 2, § 4, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7873, 60 Stat. 1095; 1953 Reorg. Plan No. 1, §§ 5, 8, eff. Apr. 11, 1953, 18 F.R. 2053, 67 Stat. 631; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 836, title III, § 312(a), 70 Stat. 848; July 25, 1962, Pub. L. 87–543, title I, § 104(a)(4), (c)(2), 76 Stat. 185, 186; Jan. 2, 1968, Pub. L. 90–248, title II, § 241(b)(1), 81 Stat. 916, related to authorization of appropriations for Aid to Families With Dependent Children program prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5514(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620. AMENDMENTS 1997—Pub. L. 105–33 made technical amendment to di- rectory language of Pub. L. 104–193, § 103(a)(1), which en- acted this section. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1997 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105–33 effective as if included in the provision of Pub. L. 104–193 amended at the time the provision became law, see section 5518(d) of Pub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section 862a of Title 21, Food and Drugs. EFFECTIVE DATE Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 116, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2181, as amended by Pub. L. 104–327, § 1(a), (c), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 4002, 4003; Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §§ 5516(b), 5517, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 620, 621, provided that: ‘‘(a) EFFECTIVE DATES.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in this title [see Tables for classification], this title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on July 1, 1997. ‘‘(2) DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR CERTAIN PROVI- SIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (but subject to subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii)), para- graphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), and (10) of section 409(a) and section 411(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 609(a), 611(a)] (as added by the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act) shall not take effect with respect to a State until, and shall apply only with re- spect to conduct that occurs on or after, the later of— ‘‘(A) July 1, 1997; or ‘‘(B) the date that is 6 months after the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as added by such amendment). ‘‘(3) GRANTS TO OUTLYING AREAS.—The amendments made by section 103(b) [amending section 1308 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 1996. ‘‘(4) ELIMINATION OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS.—The amendments made by section 103(c) [amending sec- tions 602 and 603 of this title] shall take effect on Oc- tober 1, 1996. ‘‘(5) DEFINITIONS APPLICABLE TO NEW CHILD CARE EN- TITLEMENT.—Sections 403(a)(1)(C), 403(a)(1)(D), and 419(4) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(C), (D), 619(4)], as added by the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act, shall take effect on October 1, 1996. ‘‘(6) RESEARCH, EVALUATIONS, AND NATIONAL STUD- IES.—Section 413 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 613], as added by the amendment made by section 103(a) of this Act, shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]. ‘‘(b) TRANSITION RULES.—Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]: ‘‘(1) STATE OPTION TO ACCELERATE EFFECTIVE DATE; LIMITATION ON FISCAL YEARS 1996 AND 1997 PAYMENTS.— Page 2135 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 601 ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from a State a plan de- scribed in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), then— ‘‘(i) on and after the date of such receipt— ‘‘(I) except as provided in clause (ii), this title and the amendments made by this title (other than by section 103(c) of this Act [amending sec- tions 602 and 603 of this title]) shall apply with respect to the State; and ‘‘(II) the State shall be considered an eligible State for purposes of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by such section 103(a)); and ‘‘(ii) during the period that begins on the date of such receipt and ends on the later of June 30, 1997, or the day before the date described in sub- section (a)(2)(B) of this section, there shall re- main in effect with respect to the State— ‘‘(I) section 403(h) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(h)] (as in effect on September 30, 1995); and ‘‘(II) all State reporting requirements under parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 681 et seq.] (as in ef- fect on September 30, 1995), modified by the Sec- retary as appropriate, taking into account the State program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by such section 103(a)). ‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS ON FEDERAL OBLIGATIONS.— ‘‘(i) UNDER AFDC PROGRAM.—The total obliga- tions of the Federal Government to a State under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect on September 30, 1995) with respect to ex- penditures in fiscal year 1997 shall not exceed an amount equal to the State family assistance grant. ‘‘(ii) Under temporary family assistance pro- gram.—Notwithstanding section 403(a)(1) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)] (as in ef- fect pursuant to the amendments made by section 103(a) of this Act), the total obligations of the Federal Government to a State under such sec- tion 403(a)(1)— ‘‘(I) for fiscal year 1996, shall be an amount equal to— ‘‘(aa) the State family assistance grant; multiplied by ‘‘(bb) 1⁄366 of the number of days during the period that begins on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act) and ends on Sep- tember 30, 1996; and ‘‘(II) for fiscal year 1997, shall be an amount equal to the lesser of— ‘‘(aa) the amount (if any) by which the sum of the State family assistance grant and the amount, if any, that the State would have been eligible to be paid under the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs established under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(b)] (as amended by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), during the period begin- ning on October 1, 1996, and ending on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Secu- rity Act [42 U.S.C. 602(a)] (as so amended) if, with respect to such State, the effective date of this Act [title] under subsection (a)(1) were August 22, 1996, exceeds the total obligations of the Federal Government to the State under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as in effect on Sep- tember 30, 1995) with respect to expenditures in fiscal year 1997; or ‘‘(bb) the sum of the State family assistance grant, multiplied by 1⁄365 of the number of days during the period that begins on October 1, 1996, or the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), which- ever is later, and ends on September 30, 1997, and the amount, if any, that the State would have been eligible to be paid under the Con- tingency Fund for State Welfare Programs es- tablished under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act (as amended by section 103(a)(1) of this Act), during the period beginning on October 1, 1996, and ending on the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services first receives from the State a plan described in section 402(a) of the Social Security Act (as so amended) if, with respect to such State, the effective date of this Act [title] under sub- section (a)(1) were August 22, 1996. ‘‘(iii) CHILD CARE OBLIGATIONS EXCLUDED IN DE- TERMINING FEDERAL AFDC OBLIGATIONS.—As used in this subparagraph, the term ‘obligations of the Federal Government to the State under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act’ does not in- clude any obligation of the Federal Government with respect to child care expenditures by the State. ‘‘(C) SUBMISSION OF STATE PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 1996 OR 1997 DEEMED ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT LIMITA- TIONS AND FORMULA AND TERMINATION OF AFDC ENTI- TLEMENT.—The submission of a plan by a State pur- suant to subparagraph (A) is deemed to constitute— ‘‘(i) the State’s acceptance of the grant reduc- tions under subparagraph (B) (including the for- mula for computing the amount of the reduction); and ‘‘(ii) the termination of any entitlement of any individual or family to benefits or services under the State AFDC program. ‘‘(D) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this paragraph: ‘‘(i) STATE AFDC PROGRAM.—The term ‘State AFDC program’ means the State program under parts A and F of title IV of the Social Security Act (as in effect on September 30, 1995). ‘‘(ii) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means the 50 States and the District of Columbia. ‘‘(iii) STATE FAMILY ASSISTANCE GRANT.—The term ‘State family assistance grant’ means the State family assistance grant (as defined in sec- tion 403(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(B)], as added by the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act). ‘‘(2) CLAIMS, ACTIONS, AND PROCEEDINGS.—The amendments made by this title [see Tables for classi- fication] shall not apply with respect to— ‘‘(A) powers, duties, functions, rights, claims, penalties, or obligations applicable to aid, assist- ance, or services provided before the effective date of this title under the provisions amended; and ‘‘(B) administrative actions and proceedings com- menced before such date, or authorized before such date to be commenced, under such provisions. ‘‘(3) CLOSING OUT ACCOUNT FOR THOSE PROGRAMS TER- MINATED OR SUBSTANTIALLY MODIFIED BY THIS TITLE.— In closing out accounts, Federal and State officials may use scientifically acceptable statistical sampling techniques. Claims made with respect to State ex- penditures under a State plan approved under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as in effect on September 30, 1995) with respect to assistance or services provided on or before Sep- tember 30, 1995, shall be treated as claims with re- spect to expenditures during fiscal year 1995 for pur- poses of reimbursement even if payment was made by a State on or after October 1, 1995. Each State shall Page 2136 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 601 complete the filing of all claims under the State plan (as so in effect) within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 22, 1996]. The head of each Federal department shall— ‘‘(A) use the single audit procedure to review and resolve any claims in connection with the close out of programs under such State plans; and ‘‘(B) reimburse States for any payments made for assistance or services provided during a prior fiscal year from funds for fiscal year 1995, rather than from funds authorized by this title. ‘‘(4) CONTINUANCE IN OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FAMILY SUPPORT.—The individual who, on the day before the effective date of this title, is serving as As- sistant Secretary for Family Support within the De- partment of Health and Human Services shall, until a successor is appointed to such position— ‘‘(A) continue to serve in such position; and ‘‘(B) except as otherwise provided by law— ‘‘(i) continue to perform the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support under section 417 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 617] (as in effect before such effective date); and ‘‘(ii) have the powers and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Family Support under section 416 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 616] (as in ef- fect pursuant to the amendment made by section 103(a)(1) of this Act). ‘‘(c) TERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT UNDER AFDC PRO- GRAM.—Effective October 1, 1996, no individual or fam- ily shall be entitled to any benefits or services under any State plan approved under part A or F of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 681 et seq.] (as in effect on September 30, 1995).’’ EXTENSION OF THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM AND RELATED PROGRAMS Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title I, § 401, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 418, provided that: ‘‘Activities authorized by part A of title IV [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (other than under section 403(c) or 418 [42 U.S.C. 603(c), 618]) and section 1108(b) [42 U.S.C. 1308(b)] of the Social Security Act shall continue through September 30, 2024, in the man- ner authorized for fiscal year 2023, and out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not other- wise appropriated, there are hereby appropriated such sums as may be necessary for such purpose.’’ Prior provisions generally extending the authority of part A of title IV of the Social Security Act through the end of a fiscal year or longer were contained in the following acts: Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title VI, § 6102, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5964 (to Sept. 30, 2023). Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title II, § 401, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 809 (to Sept. 30, 2022). Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title III, § 301, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2992 (to Sept. 30, 2021). Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3824, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 433 (to Nov. 30, 2020). Pub. L. 116–27, § 1, July 5, 2019, 133 Stat. 1028 (to Sept. 30, 2019). Pub. L. 114–113, div. H, title II, § 230(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2625 (to Sept. 30, 2016). Pub. L. 113–235, div. G, title II, § 228(a), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2491 (to Sept. 30, 2015). Pub. L. 113–76, div. H, title II, § 225, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 388 (to Sept. 30, 2014). Pub. L. 112–175, § 148, Sept. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1322, as amended by Pub. L. 113–6, div. F, title V, § 1522, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 426 (to Sept. 30, 2013). Pub. L. 111–291, title VIII, § 811(a), Dec. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 3158 (to Sept. 30, 2011). Pub. L. 109–171, title VII, § 7101(a), Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 135, as amended by Pub. L. 110–275, title III, § 301(a), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2594; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, § 2102(a), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 449 (to Sept. 30, 2010). Pub. L. 109–19, § 2(a), July 1, 2005, 119 Stat. 344 (to Sept. 30, 2005). Pub. L. 108–262, § 2(a), June 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 696 (to Sept. 30, 2004). CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 101, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2110, provided that: ‘‘The Congress makes the following findings: ‘‘(1) Marriage is the foundation of a successful soci- ety. ‘‘(2) Marriage is an essential institution of a suc- cessful society which promotes the interests of chil- dren. ‘‘(3) Promotion of responsible fatherhood and moth- erhood is integral to successful child rearing and the well-being of children. ‘‘(4) In 1992, only 54 percent of single-parent fami- lies with children had a child support order estab- lished and, of that 54 percent, only about one-half re- ceived the full amount due. Of the cases enforced through the public child support enforcement system, only 18 percent of the caseload has a collection. ‘‘(5) The number of individuals receiving aid to fam- ilies with dependent children (in this section referred to as ‘AFDC’) has more than tripled since 1965. More than two-thirds of these recipients are children. Eighty-nine percent of children receiving AFDC bene- fits now live in homes in which no father is present. ‘‘(A)(i) The average monthly number of children receiving AFDC benefits— ‘‘(I) was 3,300,000 in 1965; ‘‘(II) was 6,200,000 in 1970; ‘‘(III) was 7,400,000 in 1980; and ‘‘(IV) was 9,300,000 in 1992. ‘‘(ii) While the number of children receiving AFDC benefits increased nearly threefold between 1965 and 1992, the total number of children in the United States aged 0 to 18 has declined by 5.5 per- cent. ‘‘(B) The Department of Health and Human Serv- ices has estimated that 12,000,000 children will re- ceive AFDC benefits within 10 years. ‘‘(C) The increase in the number of children re- ceiving public assistance is closely related to the increase in births to unmarried women. Between 1970 and 1991, the percentage of live births to un- married women increased nearly threefold, from 10.7 percent to 29.5 percent. ‘‘(6) The increase of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and births is well documented as follows: ‘‘(A) It is estimated that the rate of nonmarital teen pregnancy rose 23 percent from 54 pregnancies per 1,000 unmarried teenagers in 1976 to 66.7 preg- nancies in 1991. The overall rate of nonmarital preg- nancy rose 14 percent from 90.8 pregnancies per 1,000 unmarried women in 1980 to 103 in both 1991 and 1992. In contrast, the overall pregnancy rate for married couples decreased 7.3 percent between 1980 and 1991, from 126.9 pregnancies per 1,000 married women in 1980 to 117.6 pregnancies in 1991. ‘‘(B) The total of all out-of-wedlock births be- tween 1970 and 1991 has risen from 10.7 percent to 29.5 percent and if the current trend continues, 50 percent of all births by the year 2015 will be out-of- wedlock. ‘‘(7) An effective strategy to combat teenage preg- nancy must address the issue of male responsibility, including statutory rape culpability and prevention. The increase of teenage pregnancies among the youngest girls is particularly severe and is linked to predatory sexual practices by men who are signifi- cantly older. ‘‘(A) It is estimated that in the late 1980’s, the rate for girls age 14 and under giving birth in- creased 26 percent. ‘‘(B) Data indicates that at least half of the chil- dren born to teenage mothers are fathered by adult men. Available data suggests that almost 70 per- cent of births to teenage girls are fathered by men over age 20. ‘‘(C) Surveys of teen mothers have revealed that a majority of such mothers have histories of sexual and physical abuse, primarily with older adult men. Page 2137 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 602 ‘‘(8) The negative consequences of an out-of-wed- lock birth on the mother, the child, the family, and society are well documented as follows: ‘‘(A) Young women 17 and under who give birth outside of marriage are more likely to go on public assistance and to spend more years on welfare once enrolled. These combined effects of ‘younger and longer’ increase total AFDC costs per household by 25 percent to 30 percent for 17-year-olds. ‘‘(B) Children born out-of-wedlock have a substan- tially higher risk of being born at a very low or moderately low birth weight. ‘‘(C) Children born out-of-wedlock are more likely to experience low verbal cognitive attainment, as well as more child abuse, and neglect. ‘‘(D) Children born out-of-wedlock were more likely to have lower cognitive scores, lower edu- cational aspirations, and a greater likelihood of be- coming teenage parents themselves. ‘‘(E) Being born out-of-wedlock significantly re- duces the chances of the child growing up to have an intact marriage. ‘‘(F) Children born out-of-wedlock are 3 times more likely to be on welfare when they grow up. ‘‘(9) Currently 35 percent of children in single-par- ent homes were born out-of-wedlock, nearly the same percentage as that of children in single-parent homes whose parents are divorced (37 percent). While many parents find themselves, through divorce or tragic circumstances beyond their control, facing the dif- ficult task of raising children alone, nevertheless, the negative consequences of raising children in single- parent homes are well documented as follows: ‘‘(A) Only 9 percent of married-couple families with children under 18 years of age have income below the national poverty level. In contrast, 46 percent of female-headed households with children under 18 years of age are below the national pov- erty level. ‘‘(B) Among single-parent families, nearly 1⁄2 of the mothers who never married received AFDC while only 1⁄5 of divorced mothers received AFDC. ‘‘(C) Children born into families receiving welfare assistance are 3 times more likely to be on welfare when they reach adulthood than children not born into families receiving welfare. ‘‘(D) Mothers under 20 years of age are at the greatest risk of bearing low birth weight babies. ‘‘(E) The younger the single-parent mother, the less likely she is to finish high school. ‘‘(F) Young women who have children before fin- ishing high school are more likely to receive wel- fare assistance for a longer period of time. ‘‘(G) Between 1985 and 1990, the public cost of births to teenage mothers under the aid to families with dependent children program, the food stamp program, and the medicaid program has been esti- mated at $120,000,000,000. ‘‘(H) The absence of a father in the life of a child has a negative effect on school performance and peer adjustment. ‘‘(I) Children of teenage single parents have lower cognitive scores, lower educational aspirations, and a greater likelihood of becoming teenage parents themselves. ‘‘(J) Children of single-parent homes are 3 times more likely to fail and repeat a year in grade school than are children from intact 2-parent families. ‘‘(K) Children from single-parent homes are al- most 4 times more likely to be expelled or sus- pended from school. ‘‘(L) Neighborhoods with larger percentages of youth aged 12 through 20 and areas with higher per- centages of single-parent households have higher rates of violent crime. ‘‘(M) Of those youth held for criminal offenses within the State juvenile justice system, only 29.8 percent lived primarily in a home with both par- ents. In contrast to these incarcerated youth, 73.9 percent of the 62,800,000 children in the Nation’s resident population were living with both parents. ‘‘(10) Therefore, in light of this demonstration of the crisis in our Nation, it is the sense of the Con- gress that prevention of out-of-wedlock pregnancy and reduction in out-of-wedlock birth are very impor- tant Government interests and the policy contained in part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (as amended by section 103(a) of this Act) is intended to address the crisis.’’ [References to the food stamp program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 considered to refer to the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under that Act, see section 4002(c) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 2012 of Title 7, Agriculture.] APPROPRIATION BY STATE LEGISLATURES Pub. L. 104–193, title IX, § 901, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2347, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Any funds received by a State under the provisions of law specified in subsection (b) shall be subject to appropriation by the State legisla- ture, consistent with the terms and conditions required under such provisions of law. ‘‘(b) PROVISIONS OF LAW.—The provisions of law speci- fied in this subsection are the following: ‘‘(1) Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] (relating to block grants for tem- porary assistance for needy families). ‘‘(2) The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 [42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.] (relating to block grants for child care).’’ § 602. Eligible States; State plan (a) In general As used in this part, the term ‘‘eligible State’’ means, with respect to a fiscal year, a State that, during the 27-month period ending with the close of the 1st quarter of the fiscal year, has submitted to the Secretary a plan that the Secretary has found includes the following: (1) Outline of family assistance program (A) General provisions A written document that outlines how the State intends to do the following: (i) Conduct a program, designed to serve all political subdivisions in the State (not necessarily in a uniform manner), that provides assistance to needy families with (or expecting) children and provides par- ents with job preparation, work, and sup- port services to enable them to leave the program and become self-sufficient. (ii) Require a parent or caretaker receiv- ing assistance under the program to en- gage in work (as defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or care- taker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received as- sistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier, consistent with section 607(e)(2) of this title. (iii) Ensure that parents and caretakers receiving assistance under the program en- gage in work activities in accordance with section 607 of this title. (iv) Take such reasonable steps as the State deems necessary to restrict the use and disclosure of information about indi- viduals and families receiving assistance under the program attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government. (v) Establish goals and take action to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-