42 U.S.C. § 677 — John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for

Page 2413 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 § 677. John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to provide States with flexible funding that will enable programs to be designed and conducted— (1) to support all youth who have experi- enced foster care at age 14 or older in their transition to adulthood through transitional services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma and post-secondary education, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training and oppor- tunities to practice daily living skills (such as financial literacy training and driving instruc- tion), substance abuse prevention, and preven- tive health activities (including smoking avoidance, nutrition education, and pregnancy prevention); (2) to help children who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older achieve meaning- ful, permanent connections with a caring adult; (3) to help children who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities, posi- tive youth development, and experiential learning that reflects what their peers in in- tact families experience; (4) to provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster care re- cipients between 18 and 21 years of age (or 23 years of age, in the case of a State with a cer- tification under subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii) to pro- vide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not at- tained such age, in accordance with such sub- section) to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to assure that pro- gram participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing for and then making the transition from adolescence to adulthood; (5) to make available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education, to youths who have aged out of foster care; (6) to provide the services referred to in this subsection to children who, after attaining 16 years of age, have left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption; and (7) to ensure children who are likely to re- main in foster care until 18 years of age have regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally-appropriate activities as defined in section 675(11) of this title. (b) Applications (1) In general A State may apply for funds from its allot- ment under subsection (c) for a period of five consecutive fiscal years by submitting to the Secretary, in writing, a plan that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) and the certifi- cations required by paragraph (3) with respect to the plan. (2) State plan A plan meets the requirements of this para- graph if the plan specifies which State agency or agencies will administer, supervise, or over- see the programs carried out under the plan, and describes how the State intends to do the following: (A) Design and deliver programs to achieve the purposes of this section. (B) Ensure that all political subdivisions in the State are served by the program, though not necessarily in a uniform manner. (C) Ensure that the programs serve chil- dren of various ages and at various stages of achieving independence. (D) Involve the public and private sectors in helping youth in foster care achieve inde- pendence. (E) Use objective criteria for determining eligibility for benefits and services under the programs, and for ensuring fair and equi- table treatment of benefit recipients. (F) Cooperate in national evaluations of the effects of the programs in achieving the purposes of this section. (3) Certifications The certifications required by this para- graph with respect to a plan are the following: (A)(i) A certification by the chief execu- tive officer of the State that the State will provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained 21 years of age. (ii) If the State has elected under section 675(8)(B) of this title to extend eligibility for foster care to all children who have not at- tained 21 years of age, or if the Secretary de- termines that the State agency responsible for administering the State plans under this part and part B uses State funds or any other funds not provided under this part to provide services and assistance for youths who have aged out of foster care that are comparable to the services and assistance the youths would receive if the State had made such an election, the certification re- quired under clause (i) may provide that the State will provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained 23 years of age. (B) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that not more than 30 percent of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under subsection (c) for a fiscal year will be expended for room or board for youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained 21 years of age (or 23 years of age, in the case of a State with a certification under subparagraph (A)(i) to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained such age, in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii)). (C) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that none of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under subsection (c) will be expended for room or board for any child who has not attained 18 years of age. (D) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will use training funds provided under the program of Federal payments for foster care and Page 2414 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 1 So in original. Probably should be ‘‘is’’. adoption assistance to provide training in- cluding training on youth development to help foster parents, adoptive parents, work- ers in group homes, and case managers un- derstand and address the issues confronting youth preparing for a successful transition to adulthood and making a permanent con- nection with a caring adult. (E) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has con- sulted widely with public and private organi- zations in developing the plan and that the State has given all interested members of the public at least 30 days to submit com- ments on the plan. (F) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will make every effort to coordinate the State pro- grams receiving funds provided from an al- lotment made to the State under subsection (c) with other Federal and State programs for youth (especially transitional living youth projects funded under part B of title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 [34 U.S.C. 11221 et seq.]), abstinence education programs, local housing programs, programs for disabled youth (especially sheltered workshops), and school-to-work programs offered by high schools or local workforce agencies. (G) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that each Indian tribe in the State has been consulted about the pro- grams to be carried out under the plan; that there have been efforts to coordinate the programs with such tribes; that benefits and services under the programs will be made available to Indian children in the State on the same basis as to other children in the State; and that the State will negotiate in good faith with any Indian tribe, tribal orga- nization, or tribal consortium in the State that does not receive an allotment under subsection (j)(4) for a fiscal year and that re- quests to develop an agreement with the State to administer, supervise, or oversee the programs to be carried out under the plan with respect to the Indian children who are eligible for such programs and who are under the authority of the tribe, organiza- tion, or consortium and to receive from the State an appropriate portion of the State al- lotment under subsection (c) for the cost of such administration, supervision, or over- sight. (H) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will en- sure that youth participating in the program under this section participate directly in de- signing their own program activities that prepare them for independent living and that the youth accept personal responsi- bility for living up to their part of the pro- gram. (I) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has estab- lished and will enforce standards and proce- dures to prevent fraud and abuse in the pro- grams carried out under the plan. (J) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State edu- cational and training voucher program under this section is in compliance with the conditions specified in subsection (i), includ- ing a statement describing methods the State will use— (i) to ensure that the total amount of educational assistance to a youth under this section and under other Federal and Federally supported programs does not ex- ceed the limitation specified in subsection (i)(5); and (ii) to avoid duplication of benefits under this and any other Federal or Federally as- sisted benefit program. (K) A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State will en- sure that a youth participating in the pro- gram under this section are 1 provided with education about the importance of desig- nating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on behalf of the youth if the youth becomes unable to par- ticipate in such decisions and the youth does not have, or does not want, a relative who would otherwise be authorized under State law to make such decisions, whether a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar document is recog- nized under State law, and how to execute such a document if the youth wants to do so. (4) Approval The Secretary shall approve an application submitted by a State pursuant to paragraph (1) for a period if— (A) the application is submitted on or be- fore June 30 of the calendar year in which such period begins; and (B) the Secretary finds that the applica- tion contains the material required by para- graph (1). (5) Authority to implement certain amend- ments; notification A State with an application approved under paragraph (4) may implement any amendment to the plan contained in the application if the application, incorporating the amendment, would be approvable under paragraph (4). Within 30 days after a State implements any such amendment, the State shall notify the Secretary of the amendment. (6) Availability The State shall make available to the public any application submitted by the State pursu- ant to paragraph (1), and a brief summary of the plan contained in the application. (c) Allotments to States (1) General program allotment From the amount specified in subsection (h)(1) that remains after applying subsection (g)(2) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each State with an application ap- proved under subsection (b) for the fiscal year the amount which bears the ratio to such re- maining amount equal to the State foster care ratio, as adjusted in accordance with para- graph (2). Page 2415 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 (2) Hold harmless provision (A) In general The Secretary shall allot to each State whose allotment for a fiscal year under para- graph (1) is less than the greater of $500,000 or the amount payable to the State under this section for fiscal year 1998, an addi- tional amount equal to the difference be- tween such allotment and such greater amount. (B) Ratable reduction of certain allotments In the case of a State not described in sub- paragraph (A) of this paragraph for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce the amount allotted to the State for the fiscal year under paragraph (1) by the amount that bears the same ratio to the sum of the dif- ferences determined under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph for the fiscal year as the excess of the amount so allotted over the greater of $500,000 or the amount payable to the State under this section for fiscal year 1998 bears to the sum of such excess amounts determined for all such States. (3) Voucher program allotment From the amount, if any, appropriated pur- suant to subsection (h)(2) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may allot to each State with an ap- plication approved under subsection (b) for the fiscal year an amount equal to the State fos- ter care ratio multiplied by the amount so specified. (4) State foster care ratio In this subsection, the term ‘‘State foster care ratio’’ means the ratio of the number of children in foster care under a program of the State in the most recent fiscal year for which the information is available to the total num- ber of children in foster care in all States for the most recent fiscal year. (d) Use of funds (1) In general A State to which an amount is paid from its allotment under subsection (c) may use the amount in any manner that is reasonably cal- culated to accomplish the purposes of this sec- tion. (2) No supplantation of other funds available for same general purposes The amounts paid to a State from its allot- ment under subsection (c) shall be used to sup- plement and not supplant any other funds which are available for the same general pur- poses in the State. (3) Two-year availability of funds Payments made to a State under this sec- tion for a fiscal year shall be expended by the State in the fiscal year or in the succeeding fiscal year. (4) Reallocation of unused funds If a State does not apply for funds under this section for a fiscal year within such time as may be provided by the Secretary or does not expend allocated funds within the time period specified under subsection (d)(3), the funds to which the State would be entitled for the fis- cal year shall be reallocated to 1 or more other States on the basis of their relative need for additional payments under this section, as de- termined by the Secretary. (5) Redistribution of unexpended amounts (A) Availability of amounts To the extent that amounts paid to States under this section in a fiscal year remain unexpended by the States at the end of the succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary may make the amounts available for redistribu- tion in the second succeeding fiscal year among the States that apply for additional funds under this section for that second suc- ceeding fiscal year. (B) Redistribution (i) In general The Secretary shall redistribute the amounts made available under subpara- graph (A) for a fiscal year among eligible applicant States. In this subparagraph, the term ‘‘eligible applicant State’’ means a State that has applied for additional funds for the fiscal year under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that the State will use the funds for the purpose for which originally allotted under this sec- tion. (ii) Amount to be redistributed The amount to be redistributed to each eligible applicant State shall be the amount so made available multiplied by the State foster care ratio, (as defined in subsection (c)(4), except that, in such sub- section, ‘‘all eligible applicant States (as defined in subsection (d)(5)(B)(i))’’ shall be substituted for ‘‘all States’’). (iii) Treatment of redistributed amount Any amount made available to a State under this paragraph shall be regarded as part of the allotment of the State under this section for the fiscal year in which the redistribution is made. (C) Tribes For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘‘State’’ includes an Indian tribe, tribal or- ganization, or tribal consortium that re- ceives an allotment under this section. (e) Penalties (1) Use of grant in violation of this part If the Secretary is made aware, by an audit conducted under chapter 75 of title 31 or by any other means, that a program receiving funds from an allotment made to a State under subsection (c) has been operated in a manner that is inconsistent with, or not dis- closed in the State application approved under subsection (b), the Secretary shall assess a penalty against the State in an amount equal to not less than 1 percent and not more than 5 percent of the amount of the allotment. (2) Failure to comply with data reporting re- quirement The Secretary shall assess a penalty against a State that fails during a fiscal year to com- Page 2416 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 ply with an information collection plan imple- mented under subsection (f) in an amount equal to not less than 1 percent and not more than 5 percent of the amount allotted to the State for the fiscal year. (3) Penalties based on degree of noncompli- ance The Secretary shall assess penalties under this subsection based on the degree of non- compliance. (f) Data collection and performance measure- ment (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with State and local public officials responsible for ad- ministering independent living and other child welfare programs, child welfare advocates, Members of Congress, youth service providers, and researchers, shall— (A) develop outcome measures (including measures of educational attainment, high school diploma, employment, avoidance of dependency, homelessness, nonmarital child- birth, incarceration, and high-risk behav- iors) that can be used to assess the perform- ance of States in operating independent liv- ing programs; (B) identify data elements needed to track— (i) the number and characteristics of children receiving services under this sec- tion; (ii) the type and quantity of services being provided; and (iii) State performance on the outcome measures; and (C) develop and implement a plan to col- lect the needed information beginning with the second fiscal year beginning after De- cember 14, 1999. (2) Report to Congress Not later than October 1, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the National Youth in Transition Database and any other databases in which States re- port outcome measures relating to children in foster care and children who have aged out of foster care or left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption. The report shall in- clude the following: (A) A description of the reasons for entry into foster care and of the foster care experi- ences, such as length of stay, number of placement settings, case goal, and discharge reason of 17-year-olds who are surveyed by the National Youth in Transition Database and an analysis of the comparison of that de- scription with the reasons for entry and fos- ter care experiences of children of other ages who exit from foster care before attaining age 17. (B) A description of the characteristics of the individuals who report poor outcomes at ages 19 and 21 to the National Youth in Transition Database. (C) Benchmarks for determining what con- stitutes a poor outcome for youth who re- main in or have exited from foster care and plans the executive branch will take to in- corporate these benchmarks in efforts to evaluate child welfare agency performance in providing services to children transitioning from foster care. (D) An analysis of the association between types of placement, number of overall place- ments, time spent in foster care, and other factors, and outcomes at ages 19 and 21. (E) An analysis of the differences in out- comes for children in and formerly in foster care at age 19 and 21 among States. (g) Evaluations (1) In general The Secretary shall conduct evaluations of such State programs funded under this section as the Secretary deems to be innovative or of potential national significance. The evalua- tion of any such program shall include infor- mation on the effects of the program on edu- cation, employment, and personal develop- ment. To the maximum extent practicable, the evaluations shall be based on rigorous sci- entific standards including random assign- ment to treatment and control groups. The Secretary is encouraged to work directly with State and local governments to design meth- ods for conducting the evaluations, directly or by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. (2) Funding of evaluations The Secretary shall reserve 1.5 percent of the amount specified in subsection (h) for a fiscal year to carry out, during the fiscal year, evaluation, technical assistance, performance measurement, and data collection activities related to this section, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with appropriate entities. (h) Limitations on authorization of appropria- tions To carry out this section and for payments to States under section 674(a)(4) of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec- retary for each fiscal year— (1) $140,000,000 or, beginning in fiscal year 2020, $143,000,000, which shall be available for all purposes under this section; and (2) an additional $60,000,000, which are au- thorized to be available for payments to States for education and training vouchers for youths who age out of foster care, to assist the youths to develop skills necessary to lead independent and productive lives. (i) Educational and training vouchers The following conditions shall apply to a State educational and training voucher program under this section: (1) Vouchers under the program may be available to youths otherwise eligible for serv- ices under the State program under this sec- tion who have attained 14 years of age. (2) For purposes of the voucher program, youths who, after attaining 16 years of age, are adopted from, or enter kinship guardian- ship from, foster care may be considered to be youths otherwise eligible for services under the State program under this section. Page 2417 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 (3) The State may allow youths partici- pating in the voucher program to remain eligi- ble until they attain 26 years of age, as long as they are enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program and are making satisfac- tory progress toward completion of that pro- gram, but in no event may a youth participate in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive). (4) The voucher or vouchers provided for an individual under this section— (A) may be available for the cost of attend- ance at an institution of higher education, as defined in section 1002 of title 20; and (B) shall not exceed the lesser of $5,000 per year or the total cost of attendance, as de- fined in section 1087ll of title 20. (5) The amount of a voucher under this sec- tion may be disregarded for purposes of deter- mining the recipient’s eligibility for, or the amount of, any other Federal or Federally supported assistance, except that the total amount of educational assistance to a youth under this section and under other Federal and Federally supported programs shall not exceed the total cost of attendance, as defined in sec- tion 1087ll of title 20, and except that the State agency shall take appropriate steps to prevent duplication of benefits under this and other Federal or Federally supported programs. (6) The program is coordinated with other appropriate education and training programs. (j) Authority for an Indian tribe, tribal organiza- tion, or tribal consortium to receive an allot- ment (1) In general An Indian tribe, tribal organization, or trib- al consortium with a plan approved under sec- tion 679c of this title, or which is receiving funding to provide foster care under this part pursuant to a cooperative agreement or con- tract with a State, may apply for an allotment out of any funds authorized by paragraph (1) or (2) (or both) of subsection (h) of this sec- tion. (2) Application A tribe, organization, or consortium desiring an allotment under paragraph (1) of this sub- section shall submit an application to the Sec- retary to directly receive such allotment that includes a plan which— (A) satisfies such requirements of para- graphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) as the Secretary determines are appropriate; (B) contains a description of the tribe’s, organization’s, or consortium’s consultation process regarding the programs to be carried out under the plan with each State for which a portion of an allotment under subsection (c) would be redirected to the tribe, organi- zation, or consortium; and (C) contains an explanation of the results of such consultation, particularly with re- spect to— (i) determining the eligibility for bene- fits and services of Indian children to be served under the programs to be carried out under the plan; and (ii) the process for consulting with the State in order to ensure the continuity of benefits and services for such children who will transition from receiving benefits and services under programs carried out under a State plan under subsection (b)(2) to re- ceiving benefits and services under pro- grams carried out under a plan under this subsection. (3) Payments The Secretary shall pay an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium with an application and plan approved under this subsection from the allotment determined for the tribe, organization, or consortium under paragraph (4) of this subsection in the same manner as is provided in section 674(a)(4) of this title (and, where requested, and if funds are appropriated, section 674(e) of this title) with respect to a State, or in such other man- ner as is determined appropriate by the Sec- retary, except that in no case shall an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal consor- tium receive a lesser proportion of such funds than a State is authorized to receive under those sections. (4) Allotment From the amounts allotted to a State under subsection (c) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium with an application and plan approved under this subsection for that fiscal year an amount equal to the tribal foster care ratio deter- mined under paragraph (5) of this subsection for the tribe, organization, or consortium mul- tiplied by the allotment amount of the State within which the tribe, organization, or con- sortium is located. The allotment determined under this paragraph is deemed to be a part of the allotment determined under subsection (c) for the State in which the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium is located. (5) Tribal foster care ratio For purposes of paragraph (4), the tribal fos- ter care ratio means, with respect to an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consor- tium, the ratio of— (A) the number of children in foster care under the responsibility of the Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium (ei- ther directly or under supervision of the State), in the most recent fiscal year for which the information is available; to (B) the sum of— (i) the total number of children in foster care under the responsibility of the State within which the Indian tribe, tribal orga- nization, or tribal consortium is located; and (ii) the total number of children in foster care under the responsibility of all Indian tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal con- sortia in the State (either directly or under supervision of the State) that have a plan approved under this subsection. (Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 477, as added Pub. L. 99–272, title XII, § 12307(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 294; amended Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8104(a)–(d), (f), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3796, 3797; Pub. L. 101–239, title VIII, § 8002(a), (b), Dec. 19, Page 2418 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 1989, 103 Stat. 2452; Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5073(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–233; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13714(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 657; Pub. L. 105–89, title III, § 304, Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2130; Pub. L. 106–169, title I, § 101(b), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1824; Pub. L. 107–133, title II, §§ 201(a)–(e), 202(a), Jan. 17, 2002, 115 Stat. 2422, 2423, 2425; Pub. L. 110–351, title I, § 101(e), title III, § 301(b), (c)(1)(B), Oct. 7, 2008, 122 Stat. 3953, 3967, 3969; Pub. L. 111–148, title II, § 2955(b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 352; Pub. L. 113–183, title I, § 111(c), Sept. 29, 2014, 128 Stat. 1925; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title VII, § 50753(a)–(d), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 263–265.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(F), is Pub. L. 93–415, Sept. 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1109. Part B of title III of the Act is classified generally to part B (§ 11221 et seq.) of subchapter III of chapter 111 of Title 34, Crime Con- trol and Law Enforcement. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1974 Act note under section 10101 of Title 34 and Tables. CODIFICATION December 14, 1999, referred to in subsec. (f), was in the original ‘‘the date of the enactment of this section’’ which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106–169, which amended this section gen- erally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. AMENDMENTS 2018—Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(1), substituted ‘‘Pro- gram for Successful Transition to Adulthood’’ for ‘‘Independence Program’’ in section catchline. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(2)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘support all youth who have experienced fos- ter care at age 14 or older in their transition to adult- hood through transitional services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma and post-secondary education, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training and opportunities to practice daily living skills (such as financial literacy training and driving instruction)’’ for ‘‘identify chil- dren who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age and to help these children make the transi- tion to self-sufficiency by providing services such as as- sistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career ex- ploration, vocational training, job placement and re- tention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills’’. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(2)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older achieve meaningful, permanent connections with a caring adult’’ for ‘‘who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age receive the education, train- ing, and services necessary to obtain employment’’. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(2)(C), sub- stituted ‘‘who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older engage in age or developmentally appropriate ac- tivities, positive youth development, and experiential learning that reflects what their peers in intact fami- lies experience’’ for ‘‘who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age prepare for and enter postsec- ondary training and education institutions’’. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(2)(D), redesig- nated par. (5) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: ‘‘to provide personal and emotional support to children aging out of foster care, through mentors and the promotion of interactions with dedi- cated adults;’’. Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(2)(D), redesig- nated par. (6) as (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (4). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(a)(1), inserted ‘‘(or 23 years of age, in the case of a State with a certification under subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii) to provide assistance and serv- ices to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained such age, in accordance with such subsection)’’ after ‘‘21 years of age’’. Subsec. (a)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(2)(D), redesignated pars. (6) to (8) as (5) to (7), respectively. Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(3)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘youth’’ for ‘‘adolescents’’. Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(a)(2), des- ignated existing provisions as cl. (i), substituted ‘‘youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained 21 years of age.’’ for ‘‘children who have left foster care because they have attained 18 years of age, and who have not attained 21 years of age.’’, and added cl. (ii). Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(a)(3), sub- stituted ‘‘youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained 21 years of age (or 23 years of age, in the case of a State with a certification under subpara- graph (A)(i) to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained such age, in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii)).’’ for ‘‘children who have left foster care be- cause they have attained 18 years of age, and who have not attained 21 years of age.’’ Subsec. (b)(3)(D). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(3)(B)(i), in- serted ‘‘including training on youth development’’ after ‘‘to provide training’’ and substituted ‘‘youth preparing for a successful transition to adulthood and making a permanent connection with a caring adult.’’ for ‘‘ado- lescents preparing for independent living, and will, to the extent possible, coordinate such training with the independent living program conducted for adoles- cents.’’ Subsec. (b)(3)(H). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(3)(B)(ii), substituted ‘‘youth’’ for ‘‘adolescents’’ in two places. Subsec. (b)(3)(K). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(3)(B)(iii), substituted ‘‘a youth’’ for ‘‘an adolescent’’ and, wher- ever appearing, ‘‘the youth’’ for ‘‘the adolescent’’. Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(b)(1), inserted ‘‘or does not expend allocated funds within the time pe- riod specified under subsection (d)(3)’’ after ‘‘provided by the Secretary’’. Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(b)(2), added par. (5). Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(d)(4), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: ‘‘Within 12 months after December 14, 1999, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report detailing the plans and timetable for collecting from the States the information described in paragraph (1) and a proposal to impose penalties consistent with paragraph (e)(2) on States that do not report data.’’ Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(c)(2), inserted ‘‘who have attained 14 years of age’’ before period at end. Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 115–123, § 50753(c)(1), substituted ‘‘to remain eligible until they attain 26’’ for ‘‘on the date they attain 21 years of age to remain eligible until they attain 23’’ and inserted before period at end ‘‘, but in no event may a youth participate in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive)’’. 2014—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 113–183, § 111(c)(1), added par. (8). Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 113–183, § 111(c)(2), inserted ‘‘or, beginning in fiscal year 2020, $143,000,000’’ after ‘‘$140,000,000’’. 2010—Subsec. (b)(3)(K). Pub. L. 111–148 added subpar. (K). 2008—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 110–351, § 101(e)(1), added par. (7). Subsec. (b)(3)(G). Pub. L. 110–351, § 301(c)(1)(B), sub- stituted ‘‘tribes; that’’ for ‘‘tribes; and that’’ and in- serted ‘‘; and that the State will negotiate in good faith with any Indian tribe, tribal organization, or trib- al consortium in the State that does not receive an al- lotment under subsection (j)(4) for a fiscal year and that requests to develop an agreement with the State Page 2419 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 to administer, supervise, or oversee the programs to be carried out under the plan with respect to the Indian children who are eligible for such programs and who are under the authority of the tribe, organization, or consortium and to receive from the State an appro- priate portion of the State allotment under subsection (c) for the cost of such administration, supervision, or oversight’’ before period at end. Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 110–351, § 101(e)(2), substituted ‘‘who, after attaining 16 years of age, are adopted from, or enter kinship guardianship from, foster care’’ for ‘‘adopted from foster care after attaining age 16’’. Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 110–351, § 301(b), added subsec. (j). 2002—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 107–133, § 201(a), added par. (6). Subsec. (b)(3)(J). Pub. L. 107–133, § 201(c), added sub- par. (J). Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 107–133, § 201(e)(1), in heading substituted ‘‘General program allotment’’ for ‘‘In gen- eral’’ and in text substituted ‘‘From the amount speci- fied in subsection (h)(1)’’ for ‘‘From the amount speci- fied in subsection (h)’’, ‘‘which bears the ratio’’ for ‘‘which bears the same ratio’’, and ‘‘equal to the State foster care ratio, as adjusted in accordance with para- graph (2).’’ for ‘‘as the number of children in foster care under a program of the State in the most recent fiscal year for which such information is available bears to the total number of children in foster care in all States for such most recent fiscal year, as adjusted in accord- ance with paragraph (2).’’ Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 107–133, § 201(e)(2), added pars. (3) and (4). Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 107–133, § 202(a), added par. (4). Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107–133, § 201(d), substituted ‘‘there are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec- retary for each fiscal year—’’ and pars. (1) and (2) for ‘‘there are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec- retary $140,000,000 for each fiscal year.’’ Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107–133, § 201(b), added subsec. (i). 1999—Pub. L. 106–169 amended section generally, sub- stituting present provisions for provisions which had authorized payments to States and localities for estab- lishment of programs designed to assist children who have attained age 16 in making transition from foster care to independent living, and set forth provisions re- lating to administration of programs, assurances, types of programs, amounts of entitlement, and provisions requiring annual report and promulgation of regula- tions. 1997—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–89 inserted before comma at end ‘‘(including children with respect to whom such payments are no longer being made because the child has accumulated assets, not to exceed $5,000, which are otherwise regarded as resources for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits under this part)’’. 1993—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13714(a)(1), struck out at end ‘‘Such payments shall be made only for the fiscal years 1987 through 1992.’’ Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13714(a)(2), substituted ‘‘any succeeding fiscal year’’ for ‘‘any of the fiscal years 1988 through 1992’’. Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13714(a)(3), sub- stituted ‘‘fiscal year 1987 and any succeeding fiscal year’’ for ‘‘each of the fiscal years 1987 through 1992’’. Subsec. (e)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13714(a)(4), sub- stituted ‘‘fiscal year 1991 and any succeeding fiscal year’’ for ‘‘fiscal years 1991 and 1992’’. Subsec. (e)(1)(C)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13714(a)(5), substituted ‘‘any succeeding fiscal year’’ for ‘‘fiscal year 1992’’. 1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 101–508 inserted ‘‘who has not attained age 21’’ after ‘‘also include any child’’ and struck out before semicolon ‘‘, but such child may not be so included after the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of discontinuance of such pay- ments or care’’. 1989—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 8002(a)(1), sub- stituted ‘‘through 1992’’ for ‘‘, 1988, and 1989’’. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–239, § 8002(a)(2), substituted ‘‘any of the fiscal years 1988 through 1992’’ for ‘‘the fis- cal year 1988 or 1989’’. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 101–239, § 8002(b)(1), (2), (4), (5), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), sub- stituted ‘‘The basic amount’’ for ‘‘The amount’’ and ‘‘the basic ceiling for such fiscal year’’ for ‘‘$45,000,000’’, and added subpars. (B) and (C). Pub. L. 101–239, § 8002(b)(3), which directed amend- ment of subpar. (A) by substituting ‘‘1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992’’ for ‘‘and 1989’’ could not be executed because the words ‘‘and 1989’’ did not appear after execution of amendment by Pub. L. 101–239, § 8002(a)(1), see below. Pub. L. 101–239, § 8002(a)(1), substituted ‘‘through 1992’’ for ‘‘, 1988, and 1989’’. 1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(a)(1), sub- stituted ‘‘1987, 1988, and 1989’’ for ‘‘1987 and 1988’’. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(c), designated ex- isting provisions as par. (1), substituted ‘‘children de- scribed in paragraph (2) who have attained age 16’’ for ‘‘children, with respect to whom foster care mainte- nance payments are being made by the State under this part and who have attained age 16,’’ and added par. (2). Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(d), added sub- par. (C). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(a)(2), substituted ‘‘for the fiscal year 1988 or 1989, such description and as- surances must be submitted prior to February 1 of such fiscal year’’ for ‘‘for fiscal year 1988, such description and assurances must be submitted prior to January 1, 1988’’. Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(a)(1), substituted ‘‘1987, 1988, and 1989’’ for ‘‘1987 and 1988’’. Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(f), inserted at end ‘‘Amounts payable under this section may not be used for the provision of room or board.’’ Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(b), inserted at end ‘‘Notwithstanding paragraph (3), payments made to a State under this section for the fiscal year 1987 and un- obligated may be expended by such State in the fiscal year 1989.’’ Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(a)(3), (4), sub- stituted ‘‘Not later than the first January 1 following the end of each fiscal year, each State shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs carried out dur- ing such fiscal year’’ for ‘‘Not later than March 1, 1988, each State shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs carried out’’. Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 100–647, § 8104(a)(5), (6), sub- stituted: ‘‘(A) Not later than July 1, 1988, the Secretary shall submit an interim report on the activities carried out under this section. ‘‘(B) Not later than March 1, 1989,’’ for ‘‘Not later than July 1, 1988,’’ and substituted ‘‘fis- cal years 1987 and 1988’’ for ‘‘fiscal year 1987’’ in subpar. (B). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2014 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 113–183 effective on the date that is 1 year after Sept. 29, 2014, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 111(d) of Pub. L. 113–183, set out as a note under section 671 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111–148 effective Oct. 1, 2010, see section 2955(d) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 622 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 301(b), (c)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 110–351 effective Oct. 1, 2009, without regard to whether implementing regulations have been promulgated, see section 301(f) of Pub. L. 110–351, set out as a note under section 671 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 110–351 effective Oct. 7, 2008, except as otherwise provided, and applicable to pay- ments under this part and part B of this subchapter for quarters beginning on or after effective date of amend- Page 2420 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 677 ment, with delay permitted if State legislation is re- quired to meet additional requirements, see section 601 of Pub. L. 110–351, set out as a note under section 671 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 107–133 effective Jan. 17, 2002, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 301 of Pub. L. 107–133, set out as a note under section 629 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1997 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105–89 effective Nov. 19, 1997, except as otherwise provided, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–89, set out as a note under section 622 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13714(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 657, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to activities engaged in, on, or after October 1, 1992.’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5073(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–233, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by sub- section (a) [amending this section] shall apply to pay- ments made under part E of title IV of the Social Secu- rity Act [42 U.S.C. 670 et seq.] for fiscal years beginning in or after fiscal year 1991.’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1989 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 101–239 effective Oct. 1, 1989, see section 8002(e) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 674 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 100–647, title VIII, § 8104(g), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3797, provided that: ‘‘(1) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), and (e) [amending this section and section 675 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 1988. ‘‘(2) The amendments made by subsections (c), (d), and (f) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988].’’ REGULATIONS Pub. L. 106–169, title I, § 101(d), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1828, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 14, 1999], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the amendments made by this section [amending this sec- tion and section 674 of this title].’’ CONSTRUCTION OF 2008 AMENDMENT For construction of amendment by section 301(b), (c)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 110–351, see section 301(d) of Pub. L. 110–351, set out as a note under section 671 of this title. CONTINUED SAFE OPERATION OF CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT FOR OLDER FOSTER YOUTH Pub. L. 116–260, div. X, § 3, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2409, provided that: ‘‘(a) FUNDING INCREASES.— ‘‘(1) INCREASE IN SUPPORT FOR CHAFEE PROGRAMS.— Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appro- priated $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, to carry out section 477 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 677], in addition to any amounts otherwise made available for such purpose. ‘‘(2) EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHERS.—Of the amount made available by reason of paragraph (1) of this subsection, not less than $50,000,000 shall be re- served for the provision of vouchers pursuant to sec- tion 477(h)(2) of the Social Security Act. ‘‘(3) APPLICABILITY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO AD- DITIONAL FUNDS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 477(g)(2) of the Social Security Act shall apply with respect to the amount made available by reason of paragraph (1) of this subsection as if the amount were included in the amount specified in section 477(h) of such Act. ‘‘(B) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.— ‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Of the amount to which sec- tion 477(g)(2) of the Social Security Act applies by reason of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall reserve not less than $500,000 to provide technical assistance to a State imple- menting or seeking to implement a driving and transportation program for foster youth. ‘‘(ii) PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the entity providing the assist- ance has demonstrated the capacity to— ‘‘(I) successfully administer activities in 1 or more States to provide driver’s licenses to youth who are in foster care under the responsi- bility of the State; and ‘‘(II) increase the number of such foster youth who obtain a driver’s license. ‘‘(4) INAPPLICABILITY OF STATE MATCHING REQUIRE- MENT TO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.—In making payments under subsections (a)(4) and (e)(1) of section 474 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 674] from the addi- tional funds made available as a result of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the percentages speci- fied in subsections (a)(4)(A)(i) and (e)(1) of such sec- tion are, respectively, deemed to be 100 percent. ‘‘(5) MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT.—The dollar amount specified in section 477(i)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act through the end of fiscal year 2022 is deemed to be $12,000. ‘‘(6) INAPPLICABILITY OF NYTD PENALTY TO ADDI- TIONAL FUNDS.—In calculating any penalty under sec- tion 477(e)(2) of the Social Security Act with respect to the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) for April 1, 2020, through the end of fiscal year 2022, none of the additional funds made available by reason of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be considered to be part of an allotment to a State under section 477(c) of such Act. ‘‘(b) MAXIMUM AGE LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR AS- SISTANCE.—During fiscal years 2020 and 2021, a child may be eligible for services and assistance under sec- tion 477 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 677] until the child attains 27 years of age, notwithstanding any contrary certification made under such section. ‘‘(c) SPECIAL RULE.—With respect to funds made available by reason of subsection (a) that are used dur- ing the COVID–19 public health emergency period to support activities due to the COVID–19 pandemic, the Secretary may not require any State to provide proof of a direct connection to the pandemic if doing so would be administratively burdensome or would other- wise delay or impede the ability of the State to serve foster youth. ‘‘(d) PROGRAMMATIC FLEXIBILITIES.—During the COVID–19 public health emergency period: ‘‘(1) SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHER PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall allow a State to waive the applica- bility of the requirement in section 477(i)(3) of the So- cial Security Act that a youth must be enrolled in a postsecondary education or training program or mak- ing satisfactory progress toward completion of that program if a youth is unable to do so due to the COVID–19 public health emergency. ‘‘(2) AUTHORITY TO USE VOUCHERS TO MAINTAIN TRAINING AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.—A voucher provided under a State educational and training voucher program under section 477(i) of the Social Se- curity Act may be used for maintaining training and postsecondary education, including less than full- time matriculation costs or other expenses that are not part of the cost of attendance but would help sup- port youth in remaining enrolled as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection. ‘‘(3) AUTHORITY TO WAIVE LIMITATIONS ON PERCENT- AGE OF FUNDS USED FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND ELI- Page 2421 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 679 GIBILITY FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE.—Notwithstanding sec- tion 477(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act, a State may use— ‘‘(A) more than 30 percent of the amounts paid to the State from its allotment under section 477(c)(1) of such Act for a fiscal year, for room or board pay- ments; and ‘‘(B) any of such amounts for youth otherwise eli- gible for services under section 477 of such Act who— ‘‘(i) have attained 18 years of age and not 27 years of age; and ‘‘(ii) experienced foster care at 14 years of age or older. ‘‘(4) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE DRIVING AND TRANSPOR- TATION ASSISTANCE.— ‘‘(A) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds provided under sec- tion 477 of the Social Security Act may be used to provide driving and transportation assistance to youth described in paragraph (3)(B) who have at- tained 15 years of age with costs related to obtain- ing a driver’s license and driving lawfully in a State (such as vehicle insurance costs, driver’s education class and testing fees, practice lessons, practice hours, license fees, roadside assistance, deductible assistance, and assistance in purchasing an auto- mobile). ‘‘(B) MAXIMUM ALLOWANCE.—The amount of the assistance provided for each eligible youth under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed $4,000 per year, and any assistance so provided shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the recipient’s eligi- bility for, and the amount of, any other Federal or federally-supported assistance, except that the State agency shall take appropriate steps to pre- vent duplication of benefits under this and other Federal or federally-supported programs. ‘‘(C) REPORT TO THE CONGRESS.—Within 6 months after the end of the expenditure period, the Sec- retary shall submit to the Congress a report on the extent to which, and the manner in which, the funds to which subsection (a)(3) applies were used to provide technical assistance to State child wel- fare programs, monitor State performance and fos- ter youth outcomes, and evaluate program effec- tiveness.’’ [For definitions of terms used in section 3 of div. X of Pub. L. 116–260, set out above, see section 2 of div. X of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 629h of this title.] TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AVAILABILITY OF INDEPENDENT LIVING FUNDS Pub. L. 107–133, title II, § 202(b), Jan. 17, 2002, 115 Stat. 2425, extended the availability of payments made to a State under this section for fiscal year 2000 through fis- cal year 2002. FINDINGS Pub. L. 106–169, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 14, 1999, 113 Stat. 1823, provided that: ‘‘The Congress finds the following: ‘‘(1) States are required to make reasonable efforts to find adoptive families for all children, including older children, for whom reunification with their bio- logical family is not in the best interests of the child. However, some older children will continue to live in foster care. These children should be enrolled in an Independent Living program designed and conducted by State and local government to help prepare them for employment, postsecondary education, and suc- cessful management of adult responsibilities. ‘‘(2) Older children who continue to be in foster care as adolescents may become eligible for Independent Living programs. These Independent Living programs are not an alternative to adoption for these children. Enrollment in Independent Living programs can occur concurrent with continued efforts to locate and achieve placement in adoptive families for older chil- dren in foster care. ‘‘(3) About 20,000 adolescents leave the Nation’s fos- ter care system each year because they have reached 18 years of age and are expected to support them- selves. ‘‘(4) Congress has received extensive information that adolescents leaving foster care have significant difficulty making a successful transition to adult- hood; this information shows that children aging out of foster care show high rates of homelessness, non- marital childbearing, poverty, and delinquent or criminal behavior; they are also frequently the target of crime and physical assaults. ‘‘(5) The Nation’s State and local governments, with financial support from the Federal Government, should offer an extensive program of education, train- ing, employment, and financial support for young adults leaving foster care, with participation in such program beginning several years before high school graduation and continuing, as needed, until the young adults emancipated from foster care establish independence or reach 21 years of age.’’ STUDY AND REPORT EVALUATING EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMS Pub. L. 101–239, title VIII, § 8002(d), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2453, provided that: ‘‘(1) STUDY.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall study the programs authorized under section 477 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 677] for the purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of the pro- grams. The study shall include a comparison of out- comes of children who participated in the programs and a comparable group of children who did not participate in the programs. ‘‘(2) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study, the Sec- retary shall issue a report to the Committee on Fi- nance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.’’ § 678. Rule of construction Nothing in this part shall be construed as pre- cluding State courts from exercising their dis- cretion to protect the health and safety of chil- dren in individual cases, including cases other than those described in section 671(a)(15)(D) of this title. (Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 478, as added Pub. L. 105–89, title I, § 101(d), Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2117.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 678, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title IV, § 478, as added Oct. 22, 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1883(b)(10)(A), 100 Stat. 2917, excluded from AFDC unit child for whom foster care maintenance payments are made, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5052(b), (c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–228, applicable with respect to benefits for months beginning on or after the first day of the sixth calendar month fol- lowing November 1990. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective Nov. 19, 1997, except as otherwise provided, with delay permitted if State legislation is required, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–89, set out as an Effective Date of 1997 Amendments note under section 622 of this title. § 679. Collection of data relating to adoption and foster care (a) Advisory Committee on Adoption and Foster Care Information (1) Not later than 90 days after October 21, 1986, the Secretary shall establish an Advisory