---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 12336"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "12336"
heading: "Independent State body"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/12336"
units:
  - "Chapter 127 — Coordinated Services for Children, Youth, and Families"
  - "Subchapter I — Establishment of Administration and Awarding of Grants for Programs"
  - "Part B — Grants for State and Community Programs for Children, Youth, and Families"
---

# §12336. Independent State body

- (a) **Designation—** A [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) shall not be eligible to receive a grant from an allotment under section [12337](/usc/42/12337.md) or [12338](/usc/42/12338.md) of this title unless—
  - (1) the chief executive officer of such [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) designates an [independent State body](/usc/42/12332.md?p=4) that is composed of—
    - (A) cabinet level representatives from each [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of such [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) that has responsibilities for programs affecting [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6) who shall comprise a majority of the [independent State body](/usc/42/12332.md?p=4); and
    - (B) individuals appointed from among—
      - (i) private [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) providers of services to [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6);
      - (ii) advocacy and citizens groups concerned with [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6);
      - (iii) committees of the legislature of such [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) that have responsibility for [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6);
      - (iv) leaders who are [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6), including such leaders who are recipients of services provided under this subchapter;
      - (v) representatives of the business community;
      - (vi) representatives of employees of providers of services to [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6);
      - (vii) representatives of general purpose local government; and
      - (viii) such staff as shall be necessary to—
        - (I) develop a [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) plan to be submitted to the [Commissioner](/usc/42/12302.md?p=1) for approval under [section 12337 of this title](/usc/42/12337.md);
        - (II) administer and monitor the [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) plan within such [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5);
        - (III) assist in the coordination of all [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) activities related to the purpose of the chapter;
        - (IV) serve as an effective and visible advocate for [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6) by reviewing and commenting on all [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) plans, budgets, and policies that affect such individuals and the families of such individuals by providing technical assistance to any [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), organization, association, or individual representing the needs of [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6); and
  - (2) the [independent State body](/usc/42/12332.md?p=4) designated under [paragraph (1)](#a-1)—
    - (A) develops a system for the distribution within the [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) of funds received under sections [12337](/usc/42/12337.md) and [12338](/usc/42/12338.md) of this title by the chief executive officer;
    - (B) submits a description of such system to the [Commissioner](/usc/42/12302.md?p=1) for review and comment; and
    - (C) ensures that preference will be given in such distribution of funds to developing or supporting local service delivery systems that—
      - (i) provide a range of services organized to tailor responses to needs rather than a predetermined array of services;
      - (ii) are rooted in and part of the communities that such systems are designed to serve as measured by the degree to which public and private community leaders and [young individuals](/usc/42/12302.md?p=6) participate in the planning of such systems; and
      - (iii) demonstrate an ability to develop systematic collaboration among service providers on behalf of children, youth and families, including joint planning, joint financing, joint service delivery, common intake and assessment, and other arrangements that promote more effective service systems for such individuals.
- (b) **Existing entity—** The [Commissioner](/usc/42/12302.md?p=1) may approve a [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) plan in which the chief executive officer of the [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) designates as the [independent State body](/usc/42/12332.md?p=4) an existing [State](/usc/42/12302.md?p=5) entity that is comprised of the parties described in [subsection (a)](#a) and that is authorized to conduct the same range of interagency planning and coordination activities.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–501, title IX, § 930, Nov. 3, 1990, 104 Stat. 1270.)

## Notes

### 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.