Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Court Improvement Program Enhancement Act of 2024”.
Court Improvement Program Enhancement Act of 2024
A BILL
To strengthen the Court Improvement Program to advance technology and modernizing the judicial child welfare system.
Sec. 2 Clarification that court improvement program funds may be used for technological improvements to prevent disruption and enable recovery from various threats
Section 438(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(3) to prevent disruption and enable recovery from threats such as public health crises, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks, including technology support for remote hearings or legal representation, developing guidance, coordinating with other agencies, or otherwise ensuring back-up approaches are in place to ensure continuity of needed services.”
Sec. 3 Assessment of, and improvement in, handling of proceedings relating to foster care and adoption
Section 438(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)), as amended by this Act, is further amended—
in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
“(F) that determine the appropriateness, and best practices for use, of technology to allow conduct of remote hearings, including to ensure maximum participation of individuals involved in proceedings and to enable courts to maintain operations in times of public health or other emergencies;”
in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting after “and other legal personnel” the following: “and supporting optimal use of remote hearing technology”.
Sec. 4 Implementation guidance on sharing best practices for technological changes needed for court proceedings for foster care or adoption to be conducted remotely
In general— Every 5 years, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families, shall issue implementation guidance for sharing information on the best practices for—
technological changes needed for court proceedings for foster care or adoption to be conducted remotely in a way that maximizes engagement and protects the privacy of participants; and
the manner in which the proceedings should be conducted.
Initial issuance— The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue the 1st guidance required by subsection (a) not later than January 1, 2025.
Additional consultation— The Administration for Children and Families shall consult with Indian tribes on the development of appropriate guidelines for State proceedings involving Indian children to maximize engagement of Indian tribes and provide appropriate guidelines on the conducting of proceedings subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 USC 1901 et seq.).
Sec. 5 Reservation of amounts
Section 436(b)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629f(b)(2)) is amended by striking “$30,000,000” and inserting “$40,000,000”.
Sec. 6 Effective date
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.