---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 12311"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "12311"
heading: "Establishment of Administration on Children, Youth, and Families"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/12311"
units:
  - "Chapter 127 — Coordinated Services for Children, Youth, and Families"
  - "Subchapter I — Establishment of Administration and Awarding of Grants for Programs"
  - "Part A — Administration on Children, Youth, and Families"
---

# §12311. Establishment of Administration on Children, Youth, and Families

- (a) **In general—** There is established within the Department of Health and Human Services an Administration on Children, Youth, and Families.
- (b) **Commissioner—**
  - (1) **Establishment—**
    - (A) **In general—** The Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, as established under [subsection (a)](#a), shall be headed by a [Commissioner](/usc/42/12302.md?p=1) on Children, Youth, and Families.
    - (B) **Omitted—**
  - (2) **Appointment—** The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the [Commissioner](/usc/42/12302.md?p=1).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–501, title IX, § 915, Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1263.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section is comprised of section 915 of Pub. L. 101–501. Subsec. (b)(1)(B) of section 915 of Pub. L. 101–501 amended section 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1990, see section 1001(a) of Pub. L. 101–501, set out as an Effective Date of 1990 Amendment note under section 8621 of this title.